Adding a morning elixir to your morning routine is a fantastic way to optimize wellness.
You may be intimidated by the phrase “elixir” because it sounds like something only a mad scientist or a witch can concoct. However, you may be surprised to learn that elixirs are easy to make and have tremendous health benefits.
You don’t need an entire medicine cabinet full of potions and exotic ingredients. You can make several different morning elixirs that deliver unique and powerful benefits by keeping a few key ingredients on hand.
Each CC Nutrition Program includes specially-crafted morning elixirs to support each client’s unique health goals. Let’s learn more about them and see what combination is right for you.
What is a Morning Elixir?
A morning elixir is simply a liquid mixture of natural ingredients used to help optimize bodily functions.
You can use morning elixirs to improve your immune system, aid in digestion, stabilize blood sugars and reduce inflammation.
Most people make their morning elixir using a base of about 6-8 ounces of water and dashes of different ingredients until they receive the desired elixir profile. While you can make an elixir that tastes good by adding maple syrup or honey, the goal here really isn’t flavor. It’s the benefits you receive from the anti-inflammatory ingredients.
7 Amazing Morning Elixir Ingredients
Using your base of room temperature water, add mixtures of the ingredients below to create your perfect morning elixir! Aside from turmeric powder and black pepper, you can find the other ingredients in liquid form. Because of their high concentration of medicinal properties, a few drops (or a tablespoon at most for apple cider vinegar) will go a long way.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Just pick up a bottle of Apple Cider vinegar from the store and the label will clearly tell you all of the amazing health benefits. Drinking apple cider vinegar in the morning is a great way to help control blood sugars, which may reduce sugar cravings throughout the day and cause you to eat less.
- Turmeric powder: Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory spice because it contains the compound curcumin. Many Eastern cultures use turmeric in cooking to alleviate symptoms associated with skin and joint disorders, upper respiratory tract infections and digestive issues.
- Turkey Tail: Nope, not something plucked from the rear end of an actual turkey! Turkey tail is a type of medicinal mushroom that’s packed with antioxidants and contains immune and gut-boosting properties.
- Astragalus: Astragalus is a lesser-known plant that is considered an adaptogen for its protective measures against emotional, physical and environmental stressors. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and may be beneficial in reducing colds.
- Echinacea: Echinacea is an ancient herb used to help reduce the chance of catching a cold. Most people take echinacea when cold symptoms begin. However, it’s best to take it consistently even when you’re well, especially in the winter, to prevent a cold.
- Oil of oregano: When oregano is distilled into an oil, it serves as a powerful antibiotic and antifungal and may even aid in weight loss. Some studies suggest it may help lower cholesterol and improve gut health when taken consistently.
- Cracked black pepper: Fresh cracked black pepper is readily available and has incredible health benefits that we can’t ignore! It may help improve digestion, improve brain function, and lower blood sugar.
Try This Morning Elixir Recipe to Jumpstart Your Day
You can create your own morning elixir depending on your specific needs and goals. If you are constantly getting sick, or feel a cold coming on, adding Echinacea, astragalus or turkey tail for a few days may be a great idea.
Here is a morning elixir you can drink daily to increase your overall wellness. It’s best to drink any morning elixir on an empty stomach before consuming any other beverages or foods.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz purified, room temperature water
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
Directions:
1.Combine all ingredients in a glass and stir well.
2.Enjoy and be grateful for your morning elixir and the start of a new day!
For more tips like this one, follow @ccfitandwellness on Instagram.
Written by Danielle Stoken, reviewed by Caroline Collins, M.S. Ed/Health Educator