Right before Thanksgiving, I came down with a terrible cold. It’s the sickest I’ve been with a cold for a very long time. In fact, I kinda pride myself on the fact that I rarely get sick. Until lately… Which is what prompted me to revisit my habit of sneaking adaptogens- and especially astragalus- into everything. That’s how this magical, immunity-boosting peppermint mocha latte recipe was born.

Meet the peppermint mocha latte recipe (boosted with astragalus, maca, & cacao) that will keep you healthy through the holidays and beyond.

Recipe for a healthy, immune-boosting latte: peppermint mocha latte. It gets it’s supercharged power from adaptogenic herbs including cacao, maca, and astragalus.

I used to take adaptogens every day, but have fallen out of the habit as of late. (Hence, me rounding the corner of week 3 still coughing my fool head off every morning from this cold.) I’ve found the easiest way to take them is adding them to smoothies, but since I can’t bring myself to eat anything cold in the wintertime, smoothies rarely touch my lips this time of year. This is where it pays to get creative with healthy herbs added to latte recipes though!

Astragalus root has all sorts of amazing benefits, but the biggest take-away is its immunity-boosting properties. This Natural Living Ideas article sums it up best: “Studies have revealed that Astragalus extract increases immune cell function, mainly by activating and regulating T-cells that are central to immune function. These cells are engaged in identifying foreign antigens and destroying abnormal cancer cells and virus-infected cells. Another property of T-cells is that they carry the memory of these antigens and offer continuing protection long after an infection is resolved... The Chinese have used this herb for thousands of years to protect them from seasonal ailments like cold and flu. Since the viruses causing cold and flu continually undergo mutation to form new and more virulent strains, long-term protection is nearly impossible, even with the latest vaccines at our disposal. However, the wide-ranging antiviral property of Astragalus seems to be capable of handling these challenges. In fact, it is considered even more effective than the popular Echinacea formulations in offering cold and flu protection.”

Here’s what most articles about astragalus don’t tell you though: it doesn’t taste great. Not horrible, but certainly not lip-smacking. I’m all about staying healthy, but I also like to enjoy what I’m ingesting, so this is where I get a little creative with my recipes- also using it as an opportunity to sneak in a few more powerhouse adaptogens too: maca and cacao.

Nothing is better than chocolate and peppermint during the holidays, so why not plus up your latte drinks with them alongside some healthy adaptogens.

And who doesn’t love a festive peppermint drink this time of year? Ok, maybe people who don’t like peppermint, but those same people probably hate reindeer and tinsel too. (I kid, I kid… sort of.) And hey, if you hate peppermint THAT much, just skip the mint and make it a regular ol’ adaptogen-spiked, immunity-boosting mocha latte. All the same benefits, less minty aftertaste.

Adding dates and coconut butter will give it even more flavor and lend a luscious, creamy texture too. If I’m feeling extra festive, I’ll add a dollop of coconut whipped cream made from this downshiftology recipe.

All in all, it’s makes for a pretty decadent looking holiday drink that’s deceptively healthy. Enjoy!

peppermint mocha latte recipe with astragalus, maca & cacao

serves 1 | time: 5 min

INGREDIENTS

¾ cup strong brewed coffee (or sub dandy blend to make it caffeine-free)
¾ cup oat milk (regular milk or other non-dairy milk can be substituted)
2 dates (can sub 1 tbsp or more maple syrup to sweeten)
1 tbsp coconut butter
¼ tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp astragalus powder*
½ tsp maca*
1 tbsp cacao powder*

(* I buy all my herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs and couldn’t recommend them more highly. They have an incredible reputation for safety and quality, and everything I’ve purchased from them has always been top-notch.)

DIRECTIONS

Warm milk and coffee in a small sauce pot. Add warmed milk and coffee mixture to a high-speed blender along with all the other ingredients and blend together. You should get a nice froth mixing them this way, and can also top your latte with some coconut whip cream if desired.

CAUTION

Astragalus is considered a relatively safer herb on account of its long history of use in Chinese Medicine spanning at least a few thousand years. But possible interaction with other medications, both herbal and mainstream drugs, cannot be ruled out. The excellent immune-stimulating effect of the herb may counteract the effect of immunosuppressant drugs commonly prescribed for treating autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and others.

If you’re suffering from any autoimmune condition, Astragalus should be taken with caution, starting with very small doses. If such diseases are currently being managed by drugs, you should seek the advice of your physician before taking any Astragalus herbal preparations. Pregnant women and lactating mothers also should refrain from self-medicating with any herbal preparations including Astragalus. (SOURCE)