15 Plant-Based Immune System Boosting Adaptogenic Recipes

Adaptogens are plants that have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese healing traditions known for their ability to help the “body resist stressors of all kinds, whether physical, chemical or biological.” They have the “to help people to adapt, either by supporting the nervous system and easing nervous emotional tension or by working directly with the body’s own physiological processes to maintain health.” Basically, adaptogens are believed to promote overall well-being from the brain to the toes.

Adaptogens have a unique ability to hack into the body’s stress response and “stretch out [the] ‘sweet spot’ in the middle — the phase of resistance — allowing us to hang out in the powerful [stress phase] longer.” In short, adaptogens shorten the “unhealthy stress responses,” while heightening the “healthy stress responses.”

Seeing as stress is a leading cause of many health issues and is one of the main deterrents for a healthy immune system, adaptogens are a powerful ally for immunity.

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1. Tulsi Chai Concentrate

Source: Tulsi Chai Concentrate

Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, is rife with antimicrobial properties and protects “against chemical stress from exposure to environmental toxins,” as well as “helps normalize levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood fats, and improves memory and mental function.” This Tulsi Chai Concentrate recipe by Courtney West uses a third of a cup of dried holy basil as a powerful infusion for your morning cup of chai!

2. Healing Turmeric Smoothie

Source: Healing Turmeric Smoothie

This Healing Turmeric Smoothie recipe by Marquis Matson is rich in ginseng powder, one of the most popular and widely used adaptogens in the Western world. Ginseng has been found to enhance strength and stamina, “[improve] blood sugar and insulin function in type 2 diabetes, [protect] against cancer, and [enhance] immunity.”

3. Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Maca Smoothie

Source: Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Maca Smoothie

Just because it’s an adaptogenic elixir, doesn’t mean it can’t be a bit luxurious as well! This Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Maca Smoothie recipe by Vicky Coates mixes salted caramel protein, peanut butter and flour, and banana with a bit of maca powder — which improves “overall health, especially its power to fight free radicals” — to create this super tasty, super calming, and super immune-boosting shake!

4. Adaptogenic Nut-Granola

Source: Adaptogenic Nut-Granola

There aren’t a whole lot of tasty recipes that include ashwagandha, yet this Adaptogenic Nut-Granola recipe by Katrine van Wyk doe the trick! Ashwagandha is an excellent adaptogen that can “calm the central nervous system,” reduce “unhealthy levels of inflammation,” helps “relieve arthritis,” and helps to balance the immune system.

5. Raw Licorice

Source: Raw Licorice

Make this Raw Licorice recipe by Kibby Miller an adaptogenic meal by adding just a dash of licorice root! This ancient herb has been used to not only boost the immune system, but also soothe the stomach, cleanse the respiratory system, reduce stress, protect your skin and teeth, and has even been used in some cancer treatments.

6. Raw Superfood Chocolate

Source: Raw Superfood Chocolate

This Raw Superfood Chocolate recipe by Emily von Euw could also easily be called “adaptogenic” chocolate as well! Along with a slew of superfoods, this chocolate calls for adaptogenic maca powder and reishi powder — also an immune booster, fatigue fighter, and has even been shown to regulate blood sugar levels.

7. Hot Chocolate ‘Macaccino’

Source: Hot Chocolate ‘Macaccino’

This Hot Chocolate ‘Macaccino’ recipe by Laine Rudolfa is yet another super creative and delightful way to include that immune-boosting maca into your diet.

8. Blackened Maitake Breast

Source: Blackened Maitake Breast

Maitake might be a bit harder to get your hands on, but this adaptogenic mushroom holds the same immune-boosting powers as other mushrooms, plus it’s known to help “regulate blood pressure and to assist with weight loss and is even thought to help fight cancer.” This Blackened Maitake Breast recipe by Wicked Healthy is incredibly simple, yet can serve as a special, “fancy” meal.

9. Chocolate Reishi Latte

Source: Chocolate Reishi Latte

This Chocolate Reishi Latte recipe by Maria and Alyssa Tosoni is a delightful way to get your dose of immune-boosting adaptogenic reishi into your diet daily. This latte has a mixture of healthy fat-filled raw coconut butter and anti-inflammatory raw cacao and cinnamon for the ultimate morning beverage.

10. Maple Maca Amaranth Porridge

Source: Maple Maca Amaranth Porridge

Maca is not only great for your mind and body, but it also happens to be a super diverse ingredient! This Maple Maca Amaranth Porridge recipe by Claire Ragozzino integrates maca powder into your favorite hearty morning porridge.

11. Comforting Shiitake and Kale Congee

Source: Comforting Shiitake and Kale Congee

There are lots of ways to make congee, yet this Comforting Shiitake and Kale Congee recipe by Annie Oliverio is not only super healthy, vegan, and rich in plant-based ingredients, it’s also rife with adaptogenic shiitake mushrooms that are a great savory addition!

12. Maitake Mushroom Sandwich With French Onion Soup Dip

Source: Maitake Mushroom Sandwich With French Onion Soup Dip

Another maitake mushroom recipe! This Maitake Mushroom Sandwich With French Onion Soup Dip recipe by Carla Rendon and Jessica Ruiz is spilling over with spices and herbs including cumin, paprika, and sage, which add to the immune-boosting powers of maitake.

13. Shiitake Bacon!

Source: Shiitake Bacon!

Alright, one more lovely shiitake recipe! This Shiitake Bacon! recipe by Tami Noyes is incredibly simple with only seven ingredients. Make a big batch and keep it in the freezer for those “need some plant-based bacon” days.

14. Raw Raspberry Licorice Mini Cakes

Source: Raw Raspberry Licorice Mini Cakes

While this recipe calls for salt licorice powder, to make this an adaptogenic recipe, find your favorite licorice root powder and add a dash! This Raw Raspberry Licorice Mini Cakes recipe by Natalie Yonan is the perfect recipe to tackle on that lazy Sunday afternoon to have healthy goodies for the week to come.

15. Apricot Maca-Roon Cookies

Source: Apricot Maca-Roon Cookies

This recipe not only has immune-boosting, vitamin-C-rich apricots, but it also calls for immune-boosting adaptogen maca! This Apricot Maca-Roon Cookies recipe by Nikki Zuzana is super healthy, sugar-free, and body-boosting!

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