Hey sweet readers,

Many of you may be familiar with the classic "Adrenal Cocktail".
It's a concoction drank by many Adrenal Fatigue (AF) sufferers at the recommended dose of 1-3 times daily. Some swear by it, while others find the sugar content of the juice to be too much.

The classic adrenal cocktail is composed of:

4oz of orange juice (for vitamin C)
1/4 tsp of Cream of Tartar (for potassium)
1/4 tsp sea salt (for sodium and other minerals)

It is recommended to drink it a few times a day on an empty stomach.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN WITH THE CLASSIC ADRENAL COCKTAIL?

As a nutritionist specializing in adrenal and hormone-loving nutrition, I'm a big fan of NUTRIENT DENSITY. Depleted people (ie. people with adrenal burnout) need smart nutrition to help build their bodies back up.

These recipes below are a twist on this original, they focus on abundant nutrition with a focus on minerals to help spark energy and strengthen the adrenals.

Check out the recipes here:

#1. THE ARC CLASSIC ADRENAL COCKTAIL

COMBINE THE FOLLOWING:

1 cup 100% pure coconut water
1/4 tsp sea salt
juice from 1/2 a lemon
5 grams of L-glutamine powder (optional)
a small splash of aloe vera gel (optional)

Okay, so we know this recipe has a few extra ingredients than the original, but often hands we can easily find the main ingredients in our cupboard with the l-glutamine and aloe addition being a beautifully soothing and restorative boost for the gut.

The addition of aloe vera helps quench inflammation and brings more minerals to the drink minerals like selenium, zinc, magnesium, and potassium.

The amino acid L-glutamine will love up your gut, helping to repair the loose junctions in the intestine that contribute to leaky gut. It's also a protein source, helping to contribute to blood sugar balance, reduce cravings and limit muscle wasting ( a common problem for AF sufferers).

#2: A SIMPLE CUP OF ORGANIC NETTLE TEA

Nettle is a simple, nutritive tea rich in minerals and nice for helping to gently cleanse the body, build up healthy blood and calm us.

This option is not ideal for those with low blood pressure, on medications, nursing, or pregnant. Please consult with your doctor before starting any herbal regimen.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE IT

tea sieve or french press
organic nettle leaves
splash of apple cider vinegar

Pour boiling water over your nettle leaves, a ratio of 1 tsp of dried or fresh leaves per cup is good! Let steep for at least 5 minutes up to overnight.

** When making nettle tea, I recommend steeping overnight and making large batches at a time for easy sipping over the next few days. ( I use a french press, but you could use a large jar instead) Add a splash of apple cider vinegar when steeping to help pull the minerals from the tea leaves to the tea itself. The leaves are so nutritious you can steep them twice**

A FEW TID BITS ABOUT NETTLE:

Gram for gram, stinging nettle has over 4x more vitamin C than oranges.
Nettle is also rich in non-heme iron, so if you are of of the AF sufferers with low iron, this is a great option for you to consume regularly to help bring your levels up in a very gentle way.

A LIL' DISCLAIMER: Mineral balance and fluid dysregulation can be a challenge for AF sufferers.

When it comes to water retention and edema, I want you to remember that water follows salt.
If you are prone to water retention issues then it's likely your sodium levels are on the high side. Reducing salt in the diet can help reduce this.

Nettle is a natural diuretic (a diuretic increases the amount of fluid excreted from the body), which means that this nettle-based cocktail can help offer supportive relief from edema and potentially reduce blood pressure. HOWEVER, on the opposite side of the spectrum, incorporating sea salt into the diet can help maintain fluid regulation IF you find that you urinate frequently and are having trouble with electrolyte balance and hydration. This is because frequent urination can be a source of electrolyte and mineral loss for many AF sufferers.

Despite how nourishing nettle is for the body and for the adrenals, there is such thing as too much of a good thing. This is especially so if you are already finding your urine output is high.

For best results, if using nettle, sip on this option more occasionally as a supportive tea to have in your arsenal of others.

As always, please check with your doctor before incorporating new herbs into your routine, especially if you are on medications. If you're hesitant about using nettle, make one of the other options provided in this post.

#3. SOOTHING GOLDEN latTE

COMBINE THE FOLLOWING:

2 cups warm or hot water
1/4 tsp ginger powder
juice of 1 lemon
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cinnamon
a pinch of ground black pepper
1 tsp acerola cherry powder, camu camu powder or 1000g of vitamin c powder (optional)
1 tbsp collagen protein powder
1/2 tsp of coconut or MCT oil
1 tsp honey (optional)

For best consistency, I recommend blending this or using an electric hand-whisk.

This one is so nice and warming, perfect if you're feeling a little chilly or if you feel like your immune system needs some attention.

This tonic is beautifully balanced and I have to say, it's pretty darn easy on the eyes.. (and the mouth too-- it's so yummy)!

It packs a powerful anti-inflammatory punch with the addition of turmeric, cinnamon and ginger. The addition of black pepper and coconut (or MCT oil) helps increase the effectiveness of the turmeric and cinnamon. This is because they are fat-soluble herbs and work best when combined with a bit of fat. The black pepper increases the efficacy of the turmeric by 2000%, ya.. significant, right?

The collagen provides a nice source of protein to keep your blood sugar balanced and cravings at bay, while also providing more TLC to your intestinal health.