You've probably heard of the benefits of including herbs in your diet. But have you ever thought of tossing them into a smoothie? Herbs not only add unique benefits to your green smoothie but also give it a gourmet flavor minus the sugar or other artificial ingredients.
If you'd like to try this, here are some herbal smoothie recipes you can use for a start. Each of them is refreshing and has fantastic skin benefits—what more convincing do you need?
1 Parsley pear
Parsley contains luteolin, a powerful antioxidant. Also, a half cup of parsley gives you 500% of your daily vitamin K requirements (tightens and firms your skin)—and 50% of vitamin C (plumps the skin).
The sweet pears balance out parsley's strong flavor, while lemon gives more vitamin C. The spinach provides Manganese, Folate, and vitamins K, C, and A.
INGREDIENTS
½ cup parsley
1 tbsp fresh ginger
2 ripe pears
1 teaspoon honey
2 cups of spinach, packed
1.5 – 2 cups water
Juice from ½ lemon
DIRECTIONS
Put all the ingredients into a blender, starting with fruits. Blend and enjoy.
2 Berry basil
If you want a thick, creamy, and sweet smoothie, this is it.
Basil has some immense skin and health benefits. It has unique flavanoids called orientin and vicenin, which protect us against environmental stressors.
Blueberries provide antioxidants, strawberries give vitamin C, while spinach packs a vitamin A punch- all contributing to healthy skin.
INGREDIENTS
2 heaping cups frozen blueberries
10 frozen strawberries
16-20 fresh basil leaves
2 cups of spinach, packed
3 cups of coconut milk
A few leaves of lemon verbena (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Put all the ingredients in a blender, fruits going in first. Blend and serve.
3 Pineapple cilantro
Cilantro helps to remove heavy metals such as mercury and lead from the body. The accumulation of these metals can contribute to chronic disease.
Pineapple provides enzymes that enhance digestion, while coconut water keeps you hydrated and keeps this smoothie lightweight. The greens give your skin lots of vitamins A and C, support good skin tone and texture.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups frozen pineapple
2 cups of greens
Juice from ½ orange
1.5 – 2 cups coconut water
½ cup cilantro (about 10 sprigs, stems included)
DIRECTIONS
Put all ingredients in a blender, fruits going in first. Blend and serve as desired.
4 Honeydew mint
Mint contains the antioxidant rosmarinic acid, which protects the body from environmental stressors. Honeydew provides potassium, which regulates fluid balance and blood pressure.
The matcha green tea powder is particularly rich in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll contains lots of magnesium, a mineral that activates several enzymes in your body.
INGREDIENTS
1 tsp honey
1 heaped cup frozen blueberries
3 heaped cups frozen honeydew chunks
1.5 cups of coconut water or milk
6 mint leaves
1 tsp matcha green tea powder
DIRECTIONS
Blend all the ingredients and serve.
5 Dandelion root latte smoothie
This recipe has zero greens and zero fresh herbs but is no less healthy than the rest.
Roasted dandelion root is an ideal alternative to coffee because the taste is similar, and it lends itself well to pairings with chocolate, milk, and honey.
Ashwagandha provides stress reduction, stamina, and fighting fatigue.
Basil is an adaptogen (supports the hormone system), just like ashwagandha.
Adding protein powder is optional, but makes the smoothie more balanced and filling.
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp roasted dandelion root
1 tsp Ashwagandha root powder
1 tsp Holy Basil powder (Tulsi)
½ tsp cinnamon
2 cups nut milk
5-7 ice cubs
Protein powder (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Blend all ingredients and enjoy.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
