You’ve seen them at the grocery store or in some influencer’s video on social media. Wellness shots are small, concentrated juices made with ingredients known to have beneficial properties that enhance overall health. They are meant to be an easy way to increase your nutrient uptake and encourage optimal immune function. Are they worth it? They can be, especially if you make them yourself. 

Are They Worth A Shot?

The most popular form of wellness shots are immunity shots. People have been hyperconscious of enhancing or boosting the immune system ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shots usually contain a high dose of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for optimal immune function; think vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B12, zinc, and more. There is little evidence that these immunity shots can improve immune function, despite the fact that these nutrients are beneficial to overall health. 

The research claims that they don’t enhance immunity because of the low bioavailability (absorbency rates). Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has low bioavailability without the presses of peperine, a substance found in black pepper. It’s all about the right combinations, no matter which shots you decide to drink. 

As a quick note, wellness shots cannot replace an overall healthy diet. Food is very complex and trying to find cure-all remedies within it is a fool’s errand. It is better to focus your efforts on consuming a diverse mix of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lean protein. Eating that way can provide you with essential vitamins and minerals, protein, fiber, antioxidants and more. These wellness shots will only enhance your food journey, providing you with health properties that may help you optimize your health. 

Green Wellness Shots

Need a daily dose of greens? Incorporate these green wellness shots into your routine to support the body and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Pineapple Ginger Wellness Shots

Potentially enhance immune function and promote overall wellness by regularly enjoying these homemade pineapple ginger wellness shots.

Click here to make the recipe.

Blue Spirulina Wellness Shots

These blue spirulina wellness shots are just as refreshing in flavor as they are vibrant in color. Drink them for an overall health boost!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Ginger Lemon Immunity Shots

Simple and powerful, these ginger lemon immunity booster shots are exactly what you need to start your day during cold and flu season.
Click here to make the recipe. 

Simple Elderberry Wellness Shots

Tangy, slightly sweet, and loaded with immune-boosting properties, these elderberry wellness shots are what you need during cold & flu season.

Click here to make the recipe.

SHARE:

The post 5 Wellness Shot Recipes For Better Health appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Some people find it awkward to discuss constipation, or other digestive issues. An estimated 15-20% of people worldwide are affected by constipation. In the United States, nearly 42 million people are affected, and many of them require hospital visits annually. 

What Is Constipation?

Everyone is different, and that can apply to many things, but there is a clear definition of what constipation is. Constipation is a digestive problem that is characterized by having three or less stools per week, or having a difficult time passing stool. It is quite common and you can treat it by making changes to your diet and exercise plan, although it can occasionally require medication. Long-term constipation, or chronic constipation, may require treatment of an underlying healthy condition that can cause or worsen constipation. Symptoms can include:

• Straining or pain when passing stools
• Fewer than three stools per week
• A feeling that the rectum is blocked
• A feeling that not all stool has passed
• The need to use something, like a finger, to help pass stool

How Can You Improve Constipation With Smoothies?

People who suffer from constipation tend to have diets low in fiber, or they do not consume enough water throughout the day. Failure to drink enough water throughout the day can cause a person to feel constipated. Additionally, limited intake of soluble and insoluble fiber can lead to ongoing constipation and an unhealthy microbiome. 

Where do smoothies enter the equation? Well, you can increase your intake of both fiber and water, in addition to essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, by adding a blend of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to your smoothies.

Selecting Ingredients

In search of great smoothie recipes to help alleviate constipation? You want to find recipes that are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Some of the best fruits and vegetables to include in your smoothie are:

• Pears: Brimming with antioxidants and natural sweetness, pears provide much needed fiber to encourage healthy digestive function. 
• Apples: Apples are great to include in smoothies if you follow a low FODMAP diet. They have lots of fiber, especially in the peels, and their natural juice is great for constipation relief. 
• Blueberries: Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which are antioxidant compounds that work to encourage healthy brain, immune, and digestive function and fight oxidative stress. They are also naturally sweet and contain a big boost of vitamin C. 
• Watermelon: Rich in both vitamin C and water, watermelon is a great ingredient to enhance your hydration efforts. 
• Celery: Celery is a popular ingredient in juices and smoothies because it is rich in water and fiber. The downside to juicing celery is that you lose that fiber. Just keep in mind that celery has a strong flavor, so pair it with apples, pears, or other sweet fruits to help combat its intensity.
• Prunes: Not only are prunes rich in fiber, but they also contain a lot of sorbitol, which helps to keep things moving through the intestines. Pure prune juice is a great natural remedy for constipation.

Best Smoothies For Constipation

When you mix fruits and vegetables that contain diverse nutritional profiles, you can help enhance overall health, while potentially relieving constipation in the process. Below, we have three smoothies that may help get things moving. 

Beet Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 large beet, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1-inch knob of ginger, peeled and grated
• 1/2 tsp organic psyllium husk powder
• Raw agave nectar, to taste

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Make sure to blend thoroughly to break down the beets.
• Pour into a large cup and enjoy immediately. 

Fiber-Rich Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 1/2 banana, frozen
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 cup pineapple, cubed
• 1 tbsp chia seeds

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend for about 30-60 seconds. 
• Pour into a large cup and enjoy immediately. 

Smoothie For Colon Health

Ingredients:

• 1 medium carrot, peeled, and roughly chopped
• 1 medium apple, cored and roughly chopped
• 1.5-inch knob of ginger, peeled, and grated
• 1 medium beet, peeled, and roughly chopped
• Handful of parsley
• 1 tbsp flaxseed powder
• 1 tbsp flaxseed oil
• 3/4 cup filtered water

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until smooth. This may take up to one minute or more, depending on your blender. 
• Pour into a large cup and enjoy immediately.

SHARE:

The post 3 Great Smoothies To Relieve Constipation appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Are you looking to bring more life and flavor to your dishes? Perhaps you have been searching for a great sauce for zucchini noodles, or just a tasty dip for vegetables. Whatever your culinary goals, this raw vegan hemp seed pesto is the dish that you’re after. It’s been in your dreams and you didn’t even realize it until you clicked on this recipe. It is robust in flavor and is dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. It has that signature basil flavor, while the nutritional yeast offers that signature cheesy elements, in addition to necessary vitamin B12.

Because this pesto stores for four to five days in the fridge, you can add it to several different meals. All you need is a blender or food processor and the ingredients. Blend until you reach your desired consistency, adjusting seasonings to taste. Allow yourself to be generous with the sea salt and pepper (especially the pepper). If you prefer a runnier pesto, add a little more olive oil or water and blend until it meets your liking.

• As always with raw vegan recipes, there are many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that the body can easily absorb. For reference:
• Hemp seeds are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, plant-based protein, vitamin E, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
• Nutritional yeast is a great source of B-vitamins, including niacin, B6, thiamine, riboflavin, and B12, in addition to manganese, zinc, and selenium.
• Basil exhibits impressive antioxidant activity and is a great source of calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, K, and B6.

SHARE:

The post Easy Raw Vegan Hemp Seed Pesto appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

When you want to be healthy and consume a lot of different fruits and vegetables in one meal, turn to old faithful: the reliable smoothie. You can create beautiful and harmonious flavors by blending different fruits and vegetables together. Sometimes, the smoothie can be sneakily healthy. How is that possible? You add fruits that are packed with antioxidants and vital nutrients to complement the vitamins and minerals in leafy greens.

The smoothie is green because it contains spinach. Like any other leafy green, spinach controls the color of the smoothie. Similarly, beets turn a smoothie red and blueberries turn a smoothie blue. The dark pigments, which are antioxidant compounds that benefit cellular health, in these ingredients are to blame. To blame or to thank? We will let you be the judge of that.

This green smoothie contains bananas, pineapple, and grapefruit. Before you add the banana and pineapple to the blender, you’ll want to peel them and roughly dice them. Scatter them across a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer overnight. Make sure that the fruit pieces are in a single layer to avoid clumping. If you do not want to freeze the fruit, you can use fresh fruit and add ice until the smoothie reaches your desired consistency.

SHARE:

The post Sneaky Healthy Green Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

What is a warming winter smoothie? Don’t worry, it isn’t a hot cup of soup. In order to properly define a warming smoothie, we have to journey into the Ayurvedic perspective on healthy beverages, such as smoothies. As you know, especially if you are familiar with our website, we love smoothies with all sorts of ingredient combinations. Like all things in Ayurveda, each ingredient can affect each person differently because of their unique blend of doshas (fundamental energies). There are, however, certain ingredients in Ayurveda that have a warming effect on the body.

In the case of this smoothie, nothing is cold. Say goodbye to ice cubes and frozen bananas. Ayurveda believes that cold beverages can weaken the digestive fire and lead to inflammation. Drinking beverages, even smoothies, at room temperature or warm can help boost overall health. Certain herbs, such as ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and mint, can not only promote digestion, but also warm the body’s internal fire. Whether or not you subscribe to this is entirely your opinion, but maybe you will have different thoughts after you drink this smoothie.

This smoothie contains pears, ginger, hemp seeds, raw almond butter, and homemade almond milk. This combination of ingredients provides the body with healthy fats, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals. Once everything in the blender is a smooth consistency, you can leave it blending for a while longer if you want to really embrace that warm sensation. That last part is entirely up to you!

SHARE:

The post Warming Ginger Pear Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

It is not hard to recognize an acorn squash because, well, it is the exact shape of an acorn. It has a ribbed green exterior with bright orange flesh and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae gourd family. Although acorn squash belongs to the same summer species as summer squash like zucchini and crookneck, its season is during late fall and winter. Many people enjoy it because it exhibits a sweet and nutty flavor and tender texture when cooked. 

Acorn Squash Nutrition

Similar to other winter squash varieties, acorn squash provides a diverse mix of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. One cup of cubed, cooked acorn squash provides:

• Calories: 115
• Carbohydrates: 29.9 grams (g)
• Fiber: 9 g
• Protein: 2.3 g
• Vitamin C: 22.1 milligrams (mg)
• Folate: 39 micrograms (mcg)
• Iron: 1.91 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.39 mg
• Magnesium: 88.2 mg
• Manganese: 0.49 mg
• Potassium: 896 mg

May Help Reduce Inflammation

There are numerous chronic diseases fueled by systemic inflammation. For this reason, dietitians encourage everyone to consume more antioxidant-rich foods, such as acorn squash. Antioxidants work to reduce inflammation by cleaning cells of harmful waste. Acorn squash contains vitamins A & C and manganese, all of which have antioxidant properties. It is particularly rich in carotenoids, like zeaxanthin, which are plant pigments that may help protect against cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes. 

Boosts Digestive Health

With nine grams of fiber per cup, acorn squash is a great food to help you meet your recommended daily intake (RDI) of fiber. A diet rich in fiber can help contribute to digestive health, since the gut microbiome requires fiber to create a healthy habitat for beneficial bacteria. Additionally, more fiber in the diet can help prevent constipation. Acorn squash also has magnesium, which is known for its laxative and stool-softening properties. 

May Support Healthy Vision

As we mentioned earlier, acorn squash is rich in carotenoids and vitamin A, both of which support eyesight. It also contains lutein, which has been linked to sharper vision. The most sensitive part of the retina in the eye is the macula, which has the highest concentration of photoreceptors. It is the portion of the retina where your sharpest vision is produced. Lutein and zeaxanthin help form the pigment in the macula that protects millions of photoreceptor cells located in the small area of the central retina. 

Supports Immune Function

Although acorn squash doesn’t offer the same amount of vitamin C as a kiwi, guava, bell pepper, or orange does, it does provide about one-quarter of the RDI. Research shows that getting sufficient vitamin C every day can help prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections. According to scientific studies, it is better to get your vitamin C through your food, as opposed to a supplement. The reason for this is because it may increase the bioavailability, due to the fact that food also contains other nutrients that impact how the body absorbs vitamin C. 

May Help Reduce Blood Pressure

Researchers note that increasing your intake of potassium has a powerful effect on lowering blood pressure, especially when coupled with a low-sodium diet. Adding magnesium to the equation has an even more pronounced effect for blood pressure reduction. Acorn squash is a great source of potassium and magnesium and while the squash itself is not linked to lower blood pressure, the nutrients it provides may aid your efforts.

SHARE:

The post 5 Health Benefits Of Acorn Squash appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Most people deal with a gut-related issue at some point during their lifetime. Gut issues can include bloating, gas, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, or more serious issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, or something more serious. Eating a more nutritious diet can help mitigate a lot of common gut issues that stem from poor eating habits. While this smoothie will not solve your gut issues, it is a great place to start, as it contains ingredients that promote a healthy gut.

Leaky gut syndrome is not technically accepted as a formal medical diagnosis, but it is popular in lay literature. Many gastrointestinal symptoms are ascribed to leaky gut, such as distension, diarrhea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating. Healing foods may help alleviate some of these issues, while promoting better gut function in the process. This smoothie is brimming with more nutritious than an average meal in the Standard American Diet. It contains spinach, kale, homemade almond milk, avocado, banana, ginger, hemp hearts, chia seeds, and more!

The mix of bananas and grade A maple syrup naturally sweetens this smoothie. The leafy greens provide vitamins K, A, and C, in addition to magnesium, iron, and fiber. The chia seeds and hemp hearts are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which help promote brain and heart health. Additionally, those two ingredients are naturally rich in fiber, which helps keep you full for longer. Drink this smoothie for breakfast and you won’t need to snack unnecessarily before lunch. It’s such a great way to start your day!

SHARE:

The post Gut Health Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

After you eat this recipe, you will most likely call all of your friends and say, “You simply have to try this recipe.” Better yet, perhaps you will save it in your recipe bank and make it for Thanksgiving, or another potluck party during the holidays. Not only does it deliver impressive flavor, but it also provides lots of vitamins and minerals. The Brussels sprouts, which typically get a bad rap, come out to be just soft enough with a sticky-sweet exterior glaze. And it all comes together in just about 30 minutes!

Maple syrup is a common ingredient used in many fall-inspired recipes. It lends itself to those savory, aromatic spices in a variety of sweet and savory recipes. The slightly bitter flavor of Brussels sprouts needs the subtle sweetness that maple syrup provides. The fresh orange juice and orange zest also add a sweet citrusy flavor. If you didn’t look at what you were eating, you wouldn’t even know that you were eating Brussels sprouts. By the way, the fresh orange zest is a non-negotiable. Just do yourself a favor and use it!

One thing to note about Brussels sprouts is that you’ll want to give them a good rinse, scrubbing any dirt or grime off them. You may even want to peel one or two of the outer leaves to ensure cleanliness. Slice the Brussels in half to ensure even cooking, or quarter them if your sprouts are larger. The key to getting a classic, caramelized glaze on one side, though, is to place the sprouts cut-side down on the baking sheet.

SHARE:

The post Orange Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Pumpkin is back, people, and the advertisements for this glorious fall and winter squash have only just begun. Seeing pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pies, or pumpkin breads gets some people excited. It indicates that summer is ending and fall is approaching. With the onset of fall comes major festivities, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas to start winter. 

The pumpkin recipes that most people see in coffee shops and grocery stores, however, are quite unhealthy. The pumpkin fad means that more people consume high-calorie foods, most of which contain processed ingredients. Is it even possible to make pumpkin-inspired seasonal recipes that are healthy? The answer, dear friends, is yes.

Are Pumpkins Healthy?

Belonging to the squash family, pumpkin exhibits a wide range of health benefits. In fact, pumpkin happens to be one of the richest sources of beta-carotene, which is an antioxidant that gives orange foods their vibrant colors. The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which encourages optimal eye health, immune function, and even protects against heart disease. One study found that a diet rich in beta-carotene foods helped suppress tumors in patients with prostate cancer. A separate 2014 cross-sectional study from Japan found that beta-carotene slowed the development of colon cancer.

Some studies found that pumpkin’s fiber, potassium, and vitamin C content supports a healthy cardiovascular system. A 2017 study, for example, indicated potassium’s importance in reducing blood pressure levels. One cup of cooked pumpkin provides 16% of the recommended daily intake of potassium.  

Pumpkins are also great sources of fiber, vitamin E, copper, riboflavin, folate, niacin, iron, and magnesium. To learn how to incorporate more of this fall favorite into your diet, explore the following healthy recipes. These aren’t your standard pumpkin recipes, but they sure make pumpkin the star of the show. You won’t be missing pumpkin flavor at all!

Pumpkin Apple Fruit Leather

Elevate your fall snack game with this vegan pumpkin apple fruit leather! Celebrate the season with flavor, low calories, and deliciousness.. 

Click here to make the recipe. 

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

These pumpkin pie overnight oats make for a great, filling vegan breakfast on slightly brisk fall mornings. Just grab the jar and eat it on the go!

Click here to make the recipe.

Slow Cooker Vegan Pumpkin Butter

A luxuriously spreadable pumpkin butter is 100% vegan and great for the fall season. You can put it on toast or freshly sliced apples!. 

Click here to make the recipe. 

Dehydrated Pumpkin Rosemary Crackers

Enjoy a nutrient-dense, crispy pumpkin rosemary cracker while cleansing. It contains flax seeds, a ton of seasonings, and pumpkin, of course!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Raw Vegan Pumpkin Pie Tarts

Get in the fall spirit by making these adorable and delectable pumpkin pie tarts. The greatest thing about these tasty tarts is that they are easy to make, but they also boast bold flavors. All you need is time for the filling to set and you have yourself a healthy take on a fall classic. 

Click here to make the recipe. 

SHARE:

The post 5 Healthy Recipes That Feature Pumpkin appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Found throughout the entire body, primarily in bones, muscles, and non-muscular soft tissue, magnesium is an essential mineral with many roles in the body. Even though it helps carry out many bodily functions, roughly 50% of people in the United States do not consume enough of it daily. Failure to consume enough in your daily diet can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease. 

Benefits Of Magnesium

Magnesium is part of a group of helper nutrients, including fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. These nutrients help protect blood vessels and work to improve insulin resistance. Magnesium also helps the body convert vitamin D into an active form that the body can use. It helps the kidneys and liver metabolize vitamin D. Being deficient in magnesium actually reduces the body’s ability to use vitamin D, which ultimately impacts calcium absorption. Magnesium also assists with:

• Energy production
• Muscle and nerve function
• Bone density
• DNA repair
• Protein synthesis
• Blood sugar control
• Blood pressure regulation

Although almonds contain a good amount of magnesium, among other minerals, there are other foods that offer more magnesium. Continue reading to learn more about them. 

Legumes And Pulses

Legumes and pulses include chickpeas, lentils, peas, beans, soybeans, peanuts, green peans, and snap peas. Most legumes and pulses have less magnesium per serving than almonds, but others provide more than double. As a quick note, the body absorbs about 30% to 40% of magnesium from food. Some foods, such as legumes and pulses, have molecules that make it harder for the body to absorb magnesium. Soak your legumes to increase magnesium absorption. Consider the following amounts from different legumes and pulses:

• Soybeans: 148 milligrams (mg) per cooked cup
• Lima beans: 126 mg per cooked cup
• Black beans: 120 mg per cooked cup
• Adzuki beans: 120 mg per cooked cup
• Edamame: 99.2 mg per cooked cup
• Navy beans: 96.5 mg per cooked cup

Chickpeas: 78.7 mg per cooked cup

Whole Grains

Providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium, whole grains can be great additions to your diet. Whole grains, unlike refined grains, contain all three parts of the grain (bran, germ, and endosperm), which are removed from refined grains during processing. Milling reduces the magnesium content, which explains why white rice has about 20% of the magnesium that exists in brown rice. The following whole grains offer the most magnesium:

• Amaranth: 160 mg per cooked cup
• Teff: 126 mg per cooked cup
• Quinoa: 118 mg per cooked cup
• Brown rice: 85.8 mg per cooked cup
• Buckwheat groats: 85.7 mg per cooked cup

Leafy Greens And Vegetables

There are not too many vegetables that contain a lot of magnesium. Researchers agree that some leafy greens and select vegetables have more than almonds offer per serving. Green vegetables are highly versatile, as they can go into omelets, smoothies, salads, stir-fries, soups, or stews. Some great magnesium-rich vegetables include:

• Spinach: 157 mg per cooked cup
• Swiss chard: 150 mg per cooked cup
• Beet greens: 97.9 mg per cooked cup
• Acorn squash: 88.2 mg per cooked cup

Nuts And Seeds

Besides almonds, there are other nuts and seeds that offer good amounts of magnesium, in addition to zinc, selenium, and vitamin E. There are also nut butters and flours that contain magnesium. Use nut flours in place of standard all purpose flour to get more magnesium for your buck. And while most nuts and seeds contain some magnesium, the following ones provide more per serving than almonds do:

• Hemp seeds: 210 mg per one ounce
• Pumpkin seeds: 168 mg per one ounce
• Brazil nuts: 107 mg per one ounce
• Chia seeds: 95 mg per one ounce
• Pilinuts: 85.6 mg per one ounce
• Cashews: 82.8 mg per one ounce

SHARE:

The post These 4 Foods Have More Magnesium Than Almonds appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.