Whether you’re all-in on the plant-based life or you just dabble in meatless Mondays occasionally, odds are you may not be getting all the iron you need.
How high are those odds, you ask? Well, approximately 10 million people in the United States alone are deficient in iron, and the chances your levels might not be up to snuff increase if you’re a plant-based eater, an athlete, or you’re pregnant or menstruating.
Why does that matter? Because iron is closely linked to our energy levels, among other important health functions. “Iron is so important,” says registered herbalist and holistic health coach Rachelle Robinett. “We need it for the oxygenation of our blood, and therefore the oxygenation of our body. And without it, we just feel depleted.”
“The wonderful thing is that there are lots of foods that are high in iron, lots of herbs that are high in iron, lots of things that we can do holistically to help improve absorption of iron,” she says.
To prove it, on our latest episode of Plant Based, Robinett uses high-iron plants to make a “super infusion” herbal tea for iron deficiency designed to support iron levels and enhance absorption. Thanks to ingredients like thyme and dandelion leaf plus vegetarian-formulated Floradix® Iron + Herbs, you get full-spectrum support since both the herbs in the supplement and in the tea will help your body absorb iron well.*
With both Floradix® Iron + Herbs and Floravital® Iron + Herbs (a vegan, gluten-free, yeast-free option), you get your daily dose of iron (10 milligrams per serving) in an easy-to-digest, easily absorbed formula with vitamin C, vitamin B, and—most importantly—lots of herbs. As always, talk to your doctor before beginning a new supplement.
Lightly sweetened with molasses (which is also high in iron) and a twist of lemon (since vitamin C helps with absorption), the tea is best enjoyed when steeped overnight or made in the morning to sip later in the afternoon.
Scroll down for the recipe to make your own herbal tea for iron deficiency, and watch the video to learn even more intel about the essential mineral.
High-Iron Herbal Tea
Ingredients
¼ cup nettle leaf
¼ cup red clover
¼ cup red raspberry leaf
¼ cup alfalfa
¼ cup dandelion leaf
10 ml Floradix® Iron + Herbs
Sprigs of thyme, parsley, and/or spearmint
Lemon juice and zest
Molasses to taste, optional
32 oz. filtered boiling water
Mason jar or large glass pitcher
1. Add each herb to a pitcher or large mason jar.
2. Pour tea-hot water over the ingredients and cover.
3. Steep for at least four hours, or up to 12 hours/overnight to allow the minerals to fully extract from the herbs.
4. Strain, add Floradix® Iron + Herbs to your cup, garnish with a sprig of parsley, and sip!
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*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.