Ashwagandha Sleep Tonic

In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is classified as rasayana – a rejuvenator – used to restore health and wellbeing and promote longevity. It has been used for centuries to alleviate stress, anxiety and fatigue, and is regarded as a general all-purpose tonic. This recipe is a modern take on the classic Ayurvedic recipe – formulated to help facilitate rejuvenation and restful sleep.

Ingredients

• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons water
• 2 heaped tablespoons raw macadamia nuts
• 1 Medjool date, or a teaspoon of raw Manuka honey
• ¼ — ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 2 pinches of nutmeg powder
• 2 pinches of clove powder
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• ⅓ – ½ vanilla bean
• ½ teaspoon ashwagandha root powder (equivalent to 0.5g)

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients (even the vanilla bean – no need to scrape the seeds out) in a blender and whizz till smooth and creamy.
2. Transfer to a pot and heat gently.
3. To serve, add a sprinkle of cinnamon powder. In my photos, I used cinnamon, freeze dried plums, dried rose petals and cornflowers.