My Go-To Hormone Balancing Smoothie (with adaptogenic herbs)

Today, I’m sharing my go-to hormone balancing smoothie that I try to drink a couple times per week to support my endocrine system. Of course, you can drink this smoothie any time of the day, but I personally like to have it as a breakfast smoothie because the adaptogenic herbs we’ll be using in it can promote increased energy levels.

I do want to mention that there’s no magic pill, potion, or drink that’s going to automatically balance your hormones overnight. Your endocrine system is very complex.

This is just one of the many things I do only a weekly basis to support overall hormone balance.

Watch Video Below (with smoothie recipe)

Hormone Balancing Smoothie (ingredients)

I designed this smoothie recipe to include a lot of the nutrients that are specifically good for your hormones, so in addition to sharing the smoothie recipe, I’ll also be breaking down each ingredient and how it’s beneficial to your body.

#1 – Blueberries (Vitamin C)

Blueberries are a great source of Vitamin C, which is essential for the health of your adrenal glands. In fact, the highest concentration of Vitamin C in the body is found in the adrenals.

The reason for this is because Vitamin C is used in the production of adrenal hormones, specifically cortisol (the stress hormone), so if you’re constantly stressed, it uses up your Vitamin C reserves in your adrenals really fast.(1)

And, if you’re not constantly supplying your body with more Vitamin C, it can eventually put more stress on the adrenals, which may lead to an adrenal imbalance or HPA Axis Dysfunction in the longterm.

Of course, you also want to find ways to lower your overall stress levels anyway because excess stress alone can be detrimental to your overall hormone balance.

And, blueberries are a great way to sneak in extra Vitamin C. You can also use strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or kiwi.

#2 – Cauliflower

Cruciferous vegetables, like cauliflower, contain a sulfur compound called diindolylmethane (DIM) that can help to promote healthy levels of estrogen in the body.(2)

*Note: If you have hypothyroidism and you’re trying to limit your consumption of cruciferous vegetables, you can omit the cauliflower from this smoothie.

When it comes to adding cauliflower to smoothies, I like to do it 1 of 2 ways:

• Use frozen cauliflower rice (from the store), or
• Pre-steam cauliflower florets until soft and then freeze them in a ziplock bag

I find that these two ways of adding cauliflower to your smoothies yields the best texture and flavor.

But, if you’re looking for ways to make your smoothie recipes more creamy without using fruit, try cauliflower!

#3 – Almond Butter

Okay, I’ll be honest – I add almond butter to nearly all of my smoothies because I love the texture and flavor it gives! **Make sure it’s unsweetened almond butter with no added oils or sugars.

One thing you’ll notice about this hormone balancing smoothie recipe is that it’s loaded with healthy fats. Healthy fats are not only necessary for supporting overall hormone production and health, but the fats & fiber together will help to keep you fuller longer, control your appetite, and help to maintain steady blood sugar levels.

Additionally, almond butter is a great source of Vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant in the body and protects your cells from the damage caused by free radicals.

#4 – Ground Flax Seeds

Flax Seeds are a true superfood. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce overall inflammation and promote brain health.

They also contain lignan’s, which are chemical compounds that function as phytoestrogens in the body. They can help to promote overall estrogen balance. In fact, some studies have shown that the phytoestrogens in flax seeds may play an important role in decreasing the risk of breast cancer.(3, 4)

Flax Seeds also contain lots of fiber, which can help to keep you regular. And, they have anti-inflammatory properties.

FYI: Always use ground flax seeds as they are much easier for your body to digest and absorb the nutrients compared to whole flax seeds. You can buy them already pre-ground at the store or ground them yourself with a coffee grinder.

#5 – Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds have the perfect balance of omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. Additionally, hemp seeds contain gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA), which is a beneficial omega-6 fatty acid that’s a great anti-inflammatory. Many believe it can also improve PMS symptoms but more research needs to be done.

Hemp seeds are also a great source of plant-based protein because they provide all of the essential amino acids that your body can’t produce on its own.

#6 – Avocado

Not only does the avocado give this hormone balancing smoothie an extra creamy texture, but they’re also chock full of vitamins and minerals.

And, the healthy fats in avocados not only help to keep you full, but they’re essential in the production of certain hormones.

The healthy fats also help your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins, including Vitamins A, D, E, & K, which can ultimately promote overall hormone balance.

#7 – Cinnamon

More research needs to be done on cinnamon, but some studies have suggested that cinnamon can help to control blood sugar levels, which ultimately can help to control appetite.

Personally, I like to add cinnamon to this hormone balancing smoothie for the added flavor!

#8 – Collagen Peptides

This ingredients is optional; however, I personally like to add 1-2 scoops of collagen peptides to this smoothie because it contains all of the essential amino acids.

Traditionally, people would get collagen in their diet (which is in all connective tissues) by making things like homemade bone broth, eating organ meats, or eating the skin on fish, chicken, etc.

Unfortunately, many people don’t get enough collagen in their daily diet anymore and collagen production declines as we age. So, I like to add it to my smoothies to fill in any nutritional gaps in my diet and to get in all those beneficial amino acids.

Adaptogenic Herbs

If you’re not familiar with adaptogenic herbs, they’ve been used in Ayurvedic practices (based out of India) for hundreds of years and they are very powerful.

They can help your body’s response to stress and promote overall balance in the body.

There are several adaptogenic herbs out there, but today I’m using ashwagandha and maca.

Disclaimer: Always consult with your doctor before using adaptogenic herbs, especially if you are taking prescription medication or have an underlying health condition.

#9 – Ashwagandha Powder

Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. It’s commonly used for stress. In fact, some studies suggest that it can help to normalize cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body.(5, 6)

This is beneficial because excess levels of cortisol for long periods of time (due to chronic stress) can lead to lots of negative health symptoms and has been linked to inflammation and increased belly fat.

So, ashwagandha can be very beneficial in supporting your body’s overall stress response, lowering anxiety, and many people also experience increased energy levels and better memory when consuming this adaptogen.(7, 8)

And, it’s also beneficial to your adrenal glands because of its ability to help your body manage stress.

*Note: Ashwagandha may increase testosterone levels, so if you have PCOS, you may want to avoid this adaptogenic herb.

#10 – Maca Powder

Maca is an edible herbaceous biennial plant of the family Brassicaceae that is native to South America in the high Andes mountains of Peru.

It also has adaptogenic properties that can help your body’s stress response.

Additionally, maca has been linked to improving libido (9), improving your mood and energy, and reducing menopausal symptoms(10).

It’s also loaded with nutrients, such as Vitamin C, Copper, and Iron.

*Gelatinized maca powder is easier to digest and absorb.

Hormone Balancing Smoothie Recipe

As you can see, I really put some thought behind this smoothie recipe. I like to be very intentional about what I put in my body and understanding why it’s beneficial.

I find that this motivates me to consume more of these foods because I understand how they’re benefiting my body – and, I hope it does the same for you!

Looking for More Healthy Smoothie Recipes?

If you’re on the search for more healthy smoothie recipes, here’s a few of my favorites.

• 5 Protein Breakfast Smoothies (for building muscle and boosting weight loss)
• The Ultimate Collagen Beauty Smoothie (for hair, skin, nails, leaky gut, etc.)
• How To Prep Smoothies In Advance With Freezer Packs (plus 5 healthy smoothie recipes)
• My Top 3 Favorite Weight Loss Smoothies (can be used as a meal replacement)
• Fat-Burning Detox Smoothie (to boost weight loss)