I have fallen in Love. I have fallen for Anima Mundi!
I just arrived back to the UK from spending over a month in Indian lockdown with limited internet, limited creative supplies and, not that I am complaining, only the beach, long walks and homemade dal to keep me occupied.
I'm not long back and ever since arriving been eager to create!
I spent the first few days settling back into Cheshire life and now found myself back into the full swing of creative flow. I've since started my 2020 Plant based fluid art series "Mother" and along side been spending my time recipe developing or a number of brands one of those brands in the amazing Anima Mundi...
"Our Apothecary is composed of the most pristine, and medicinal botanicals found in nature. We are devoted to providing the freshest and most vibrant herbal formulas. Anima Mundi’s roots are within the heart of Costa Rica. We specialize in sourcing directly from native people within Central and South America as well as work directly with small farmers from around the world. Our apothecary contains over 200 different herbs, all sourced from places we admire and respect. This provides a sustainable system, and a direct relationship to the source of botanical alchemy and native wisdom. Our project supports true fair trade practices, permacultural outreach, supporting small businesses, and plant based remedies that benefit people from all walks of life."
I am currently obsessed with creating plant based adaptoen recipes using their Reishi Powder and their Ashwagandha Powder!"
ADRIANA AYALES
Owner & Herbalist
REISHI
SPIRIT NOURISHING : IMMUNE PROTECTION : FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
"The reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), an edible type of medicinal fungus that has been used for various healing abilities for thousands of years, is a true “superfood.” Also known as Ling Zhi in Chinese, these mushrooms are strongly anti-inflammatory and tied to longevity, better immune function and mental clarity — perhaps that’s why they’ve adopted the nickname “king of mushrooms.”
As described in the book “Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects,” in Chinese the name for the reishi mushroom represents “a combination of spiritual potency and essence of immortality … it’s tied to success, well-being, divine power, and longevity. Among cultivated mushrooms, G. lucidum is unique in that its pharmaceutical rather than nutritional value is paramount.”
Throughout history in holistic medicine practices, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), reishi mushrooms have been considered to be adaptogen herb-like substances, meaning they help us deal with the negative effects of stress — such as increased inflammation, depleted energy levels, damaged blood vessels and various types of hormonal imbalances.
For most of history, in Traditional Chinese Medicine fully grown reishi mushroom was dried, cut into slices, boiled in hot water and then steeped to make a healing tea/soup. Today, manufacturers of reishi products use a processing technique where reishi is boiled multiple times at a high pressure, allowing the active ingredients to be extracted to form a tincture.
Over the past several decades, dozens of different studies conducted in Japan, China, the U.S. and the U.K. have demonstrated that reishi mushrooms are capable of offering protection against numerous diseases or illnesses, including:
- inflammation
- fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome)
- frequent infections (urinary tract, bronchitis, respiratory infections, etc.
- liver disease
- food allergies and asthma
- digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome
- tumor growth and cancer
- skin disorders
- autoimmune disorders
- diabetes
- viruses, including the flu, HIV/AIDS or hepatitis
- heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- sleep disorders and insomnia
- anxiety and depression
Because they work as an “immune modulator,” reishi mushrooms can help restore hormonal balance, bring the body back to homeostasis and regulate activity of the immune system, including fighting tumors and cancerous cells. Research shows that reishi mushrooms act like a normalizing substance, regulating various cellular functions and systems, including the endocrine (hormonal), immune, cardiovascular, central nervous and digestive systems.
One of the best things about using reishi mushrooms is that they’re capable of doing so much, yet compared to medications they’re non-toxic and produce hardly any side effects of all. In fact, most people notice a quick improvement in their energy levels, mental capabilities and moods while also experiencing a reduction in aches, pains, allergies, digestive issues and infections."
- - -a
ASHSS
AHWAGANDHA
ASHWAGANDHA
"One of India's greatest botanical and adaptogenic treasures is Ashwagandha. Popularly known as Indian Ginseng, it's very well known for its ability to calm, soothe and strengthen the body. It serves many purposes and benefits many body systems, including the immune, neurological, endocrine and reproductive systems. It's clinically studied to help fight depression, boost brain health, and boost both fertility and testosterone.
In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha belongs to a sub-group of rasayanas, or super-elixirs, known as medhya rasayanas, which refers to the mind and mental/intellectual capacity. Herbs that fall under this category are considered deeply healing to the mind and emotional constructs.
Clinically Proven Benefits:
- for stress relief + anxiety
- increases brain cognition
- increasing thyroid function (hypo-thyroid)
- overcome adrenal fatigue
- 300mg twice daily successfully combats stress
- natural remedy for depression
- balances blood sugar levels
And so much more! There are tons of folk based studies showing that not only is Ashwagandha considered a heal all, it's known for its' mind boosting and spiritual properties within Ayurveda. "
ASSAANIMA MUNDI
Serve Est. 10 - 12 Chocolates
Dish Type. Dessert
Vegan. GF
Freezer friendly - 1 Month
INGREDIENTS
* 1/2 Cup Cacao butter
*1/2 Cup Cacao Powder
* 1/4 Cup maple syrup
* 1 Tsp Anima Mundi Ashwagandha Powder
* 1 Tsp Maca Powder
* 1 Tsp Vanilla powder
* Pinch salt
TOPPINGS
* Dried rose, viola's, chamomile, apple blossoms, acai powder.
METHOD
1. Place the cacao butter into double boiler and on a low heat begin to slowly melt.
2. In a separate bowl mix the maple, adaptogen powders, maca & vanilla powder into a smooth syrup.
3. Remove the melted cacao butter from the heat and allow a few moments to sightly cool then add the cacao powder and salt and combine well until smooth.
4. Add the adaptogen syrup to the cacao mixture and then transfer to silicone moulds of choice.
5. Place the moulds into the freezer for 2-4 hours to set.
6. Remove from the freezer, remove the chocolates from the moulds and store in an air tight container.
7. You can store your homemade adaptogen chocolates in the fridge for up to two weeks however to absorb all the healing qualitites of the chocolates they are best enjoyed within the first few days...
THE ART OF PLATING
1. For this dessert I used to different silicone moulds.
2. Take a serving plate and decorate the edges with Edible flowers
3. Sprinkle the plate with a complimentary superfood powder ( I used Acai powder as it gives a sweet taste and a powerful purple compliment! )
4. Place the chocolates on the decorated plate and finish by sprinkling dried rose flower onto the dessert and inbetween the RAW, fresh edible flowers.
Enjoy totally, completely & with all of your being.