Libido, heart, immunity, skin, memory ... need an instant boost?

DIY with 5 'tribal' recipes from the rainforest, by Anima Mundi

Young Costa Rican herbalist and shaman Adriana Ayales began Anima Mundi in Brooklyn a few years ago. Her greatest wish was to bring indigenous wisdom to the modern world in the form of elixirs, tonics and supplements, made from pure herbs, plants and flowers. Her herbal formulas capture the essence of various traditions: indigenous botany from the rainforest, Chinese medicine, European alchemy and Ayurveda. Her ingredients are partly gathered in the unspoiled nature of Costa Rica and partly 100% organically grown by small, local farmers.

"Seeing people heal themselves is what makes me most happy," says Herborist and shaman Adriana Ayales. 

1. Mucuna: uplifting for mood, sleep and sex

Mucuna contains a wide range of bio-active substances, including L-Dopa and serotonin. Higher levels of dopamine are associated with, among other things, a wonderful feeling of joy and pleasure, healthy sleep and increased libido.

RECIPE FOR MUCUNA MOCHA - a sensuous latte:

Ingredients:

2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon of mucuna, 1/2 teaspoon of maca, 1/2 teaspoon of mesquite, 1 teaspoon of Happiness Tonic, 1 teaspoon of coconut cream, 1 teaspoon of grated coconut (or more, however you want it), 120 ml of almond milk, 150 ml of hot water

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a blender for 5-10 seconds and serve!

2. Mangosteen - Hibiscus: the beauty tonic for deep nourishment

Both mangosteen and hibiscus are excellent nutrient bombs, packed with vitamin C, minerals and phytonutrients. They have the ability to thoroughly purify the blood and cleanse and nourish the skin.

RECIPE FOR ANTI-AGEING/LONG LIFE - MANGOSTEEN & TURMERIC COCKTAIL:

Ingredients: 

1 teaspoon of Mangosteen-Hibiscus, ½ teaspoon of Turmeric, ½ teaspoon of Curam Elixir, 1 Passion fruit, 1 Tangerine, little bit of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of Stevia Extract (or sweeten more/less as needed), 250 ml of water (or fresh coconut water, if available)

Preparation:

Mix everything together until you have a delicious cocktail. For your stomach, it is recommended to drink it at room temperature. Nevertheless, you can also pour it over ice if you want to serve it as a mocktail. 

3. Cerebrum - a tonic that makes your head clear and light

A deeply nourishing formula for your brain. The tonic supports healthy blood circulation in your brain tissue and stimulates clarity and focus. It naturally gives the body a mild boost and promotes mental resilience.

RECIPE FOR A MIND TONIC FOR YOUR THINKING BODY:

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon of Matcha, 1 teaspoon of Cerebrum, ½ teaspoon of Moringa, 400 ml of hot water, 1 teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil (or ghee), 2 tablespoons of coconut cream, 30 ml of vegetable milk of your choice, grated coconut or maple according to flavour

Preparation:

Pour the hot water (not boiled!) over the matcha and herbal powders. Whisk it firmly and then add the milk, oil and coconut cream. Keep whisking until it's smooth. Alternatively, you can put all the ingredients in a blender and mix for about 10 seconds.

4. Happiness - increase your balance, deepen your 'Bliss'

This tonic is a mixture of adaptogens, such as Rhodiola and Ashwagandha, and powerful supportive 'happiness' herbs such as St. John's Wort, Mucuna and Albizzia. Together, they create a synergetic effect of relaxation, balance and general 'brain booster'.

RECIPE FOR BEAUTY & LUCK COCKTAIL:

Ingredients for 1 person:

1-2 tablespoon of Happiness Tonic, 1 teaspoon of mangosteen-hibiscus, 240 ml of ginger kombucha, a sprig of thyme and other leaves of your choice as garnish 

Preparation:

Drip the Happiness Tonic in 60 ml of hot water. Mix and filter if necessary or desired. Once it has cooled down, mix it in your kombucha and add the mangosteen-hibiscus. Stir it with a spoon and garnish it with thyme and leaves of your choice.

5. Moringa: the multivitamin straight from Mother nature

Moringa leaf is best known as a natural multivitamin and a long-lasting energy booster. Moringa can clean up to 98% of bacteria out of water. Seeing as our body is composed of an average of 50 to 75% of water, it is plausible that this process also takes place in the body.

RECIPE FOR AN ACTIVATING MORINGA LATTE:

Ingredients:

1.5 teaspoon of moringa, 1.5 teaspoon of matcha, ½ teaspoon of spirulina + chlorella (mix 50/50), 2 tablespoons of coconut cream, 60 ml of the vegetable milk of your choice, 1 teaspoon of coconut blossom sugar (optional), 240 ml of hot water (not boiled!)

Preparation:

Sprinkle the moringa and matcha in the hot water. Whisk it firmly or use a hand blender. Next, add the coconut cream, vegetable milk and spirulina-chlorella mixture. Add after the infusion to prevent the taste of seaweed from becoming too strong.

So, are you excited to get started with these recipes? You can find all Anima Mundi products here.