Stress? It takes many forms. How does stress show up for you? Let’s get into some adaptogenic therapy to help! With many health benefits from improved memory to better mood and a more resilient stress response, this adaptogenic hot chocolate recipe is a winter treat you can feel good about.

Now, if you have very little stress in your life – no forgetfulness, fatigue, or overall sense of overwhelm – you probably have no need for this particular hot chocolate recipe. Try a dandelion mocha and save the adaptogens for the rest of us, who are teetering on the edge of burnout as we navigate work, family, civil unrest, and trying to get to the bottom of the truth of what is happening in the world.

“With many health benefits from improved memory to better mood and a more resilient stress response, this adaptogenic hot chocolate recipe is a winter treat you can feel good about.”

For me stress shows up sometimes simply from trying to digest and discern all the information that I have access to. I need more time to integrate and when I don’t take it, I get kind of clogged up and then my first stress signal shows up: shallow breathing or holding my breath. What are your first stress signals?

While the ingredients for this adaptogenic hot chocolate recipe are an investment up front, if you’ve been considering splurging on a trendy mushroom cocoa mix or coffee replacement, mixing up your own at home will save you money in the long run.

From Brain Fog to Clarity: How Adaptogens Help

Every time we encounter stress, our bodies come into a state of heightened awareness or agitation, followed by a need for rest and recuperation – the energy crash. Although this is a normal process for every living organism, when we’re under persistent stress and don’t have time to recover, we often start to see telltale signs like forgetfulness, trouble focusing, and the kind of fatigue and low mood that may make you want to just stay in bed.

This is where adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms come in. These powerhouse plants and fungi – which have evolved to thrive in inhospitable conditions – help our bodies increase resilience to all kinds of stress. Whether our issues are related to work, family, exposure to chemical pollution or to pathogens, adaptogens minimize the stress response and ultimately reduce the level of exhaustion that follows. This lets us keep up with life rather than crashing, falling behind, and starting the whole process over again.

Along similar lines, adaptogens actually protect our bodies from cellular damage caused by stress – the very damages that lead to brain fog, fatigue, and low mood.

The Little-Known History of Adaptogens

While adaptogenic plants have been used in many places for millennia, the concept of adaptogens itself is relatively new. Research into the idea began in the Soviet Union during and after World War II, when the military was looking for ways to increase the stamina of pilots and submarine crews working long hours under stressful conditions.

This is why you’ll see plants on this list from every corner of the world. That’s also why the list of known adaptogens will probably continue to evolve with future research.

Established adaptogens:
• American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
• Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng)
• Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)
• Eleuthero, aka Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
• Rhodiola rosea, aka arctic root (R. rosea)
• Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
• Shilajit (Asphaltum punjabianum)

Some of the adaptogens on this list, including American ginseng and rhodiola, are at risk of being overharvested in the wild. Make sure to source your herbs from sustainably minded companies, like Mountain Rose Herbs.

Hot Chocolate Recipe: Featured Ingredients

Cacao (Theobroma cacao)

While this “food of the gods” isn’t an adaptogen, it does have an important link to stress recovery. High-quality cacao is naturally rich in magnesium, which is essential for hundreds of cellular processes, including stress response.

Research suggests that stress and magnesium deficiency are linked in a cyclical pattern: we burn through magnesium when we’re stressed and the resulting magnesium deficiency is stressful on the body. Since most Americans don’t get enough magnesium, a really divine hot chocolate recipe is one of the most enjoyable ways I can think of to get that cycle moving in the opposite direction.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Nourishing and calming, ashwagandha root has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda as a general health tonic. Folk uses include boosting overall vitality, immune modulation, increasing stamina, and enhancing cognitive function. This grounding adaptogen tastes earthy and slightly bitter, cozying right into this herbal hot chocolate recipe.

Cordyceps (C. militaris, C. sinensis)

Another calming adaptogen, the cordyceps fungus has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for fatigue and stamina. And traditional healers in the Himalayas use it as a tonic to improve energy, appetite, endurance, and sleep. While C. sinensis is the established species used in TCM, it is both rare and expensive – hence the development of C. militaris as a substitute.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

While more research is needed to establish reishi as an official adaptogen, its benefits closely align with those of adaptogens, including increased vigor, immunity, and overall wellness. In China, reishi is called lingzhi, meaning “mushroom of immortality,” and TCM practitioners have used it for thousands of years to support vitality.

Note: For best results with this hot chocolate recipe, use extract powders for the cordyceps and reishi. Rather than simply being dried and powdered, these have been dried and powdered, then boiled to increase bioavailability and dehydrated again. Since we’ll be doing a very light infusion rather than a decoction, using the extract powder will help ensure our bodies can access the beneficial compounds. You can purchase extract powders at Mountain Rose Herbs.

Print Recipe

Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate Recipe

Author: Kami McBride

Ingredients

2 cups organic milk of your choice
1 tbsp organic cacao powder
1 tsp ashwagandha root powder
1 tsp cordyceps extract powder
1/4 tsp reishi extract powder
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp honey (or to taste)
Cinnamon powder or sticks for garnish

Instructions

Gently heat your preferred milk on the stovetop.
While the milk is heating, mix the cacao, ashwagandha, cordyceps, reishi, and cardamom in a pour-spout mixing bowl.
When the milk is hot, pour slowly over the herbs, mixing as you go.
When the milk has cooled to a drinkable temperature, stir in the vanilla and honey, to taste.
Pour into a mug, garnish with cinnamon, and enjoy!

Notes

Tip: To make a ready-to-use mix, multiply the dry ingredient quantities by 10, mix well, and store in a labeled glass jar. When you’re craving a cup, add 1 tbsp of dry mix, ⅛ tsp vanilla, and a drizzle of honey per cup of warm milk.

If you want to shift the narrative that feeling better comes from taking over-the-counter drugs, join me in exploring 23 medicine-making techniques that use common kitchen herbs. My online course, Herbal Kitchen Remedy Solutions, has transformed the way thousands of students practice wellness in their homes, and can empower you to take charge of your family’s health too.

I would love to hear from you! Have you tried this adaptogenic hot chocolate recipe? Share your feedback in the comments below.

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Chai Honey Latte
Dandelion Mocha Coffee Alternative