There are tons of ways to get herbal remedies in your body: teas, tinctures, capsules, infused oils/vinegars, and more. But sometimes you need a higher dose of herbs than is feasible to take in capsules, or maybe you’re just sick of having to remember to take tincture multiple times per day.

Photo by Douglas Perkins

Guess what? There is an easy and delicious way to get your herbs! Try making them into a tasty snack, like zoom balls! The term “zoom balls” was originally coined by Rosemary Gladstar, but the idea has caught on under other names, too, such as “bliss balls”. All they are is a combination of nut butter, liquid sweetener, and powdered herbs, rolled up into balls to make truffle-like snacks.

The coolest part about these is they are endlessly customizable. As long as you are in the right range of proportions, you’ll make a thick paste that you can roll into balls. If your recipe comes out too wet or dry, you can always adjust with more liquid or dry ingredients.

Here’s the recipe template:

Customizable Herbal Zoom Ball Recipe

• 2 cups nut butter (almond butter, tahini, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.)
• 1 cup honey or maple syrup (or replace some of sweetener with sticky dried fruit, such as Medjool dates or prunes)

  Photo by James

• 3-4 ounces of powdered herbs (about 2.5-3 cups), including flavoring spices (ginger, cinnamon, cacao, cardamom, etc.)
• Optional: melted chocolate, cocoa powder, shredded coconut

1. Set out a baking sheet or large storage container lined with wax paper or parchment.
2. Combine all herbs and spices in a large mixing bowl and stir until evenly blended.
3. Mix nut butter and sweetener in a bowl or blender/food processor. If using dried fruit, be sure to fully puree it. If the dried fruit is not very sticky, you may want to first soak it in some water as you prepare the other ingredients.
4. Add wet ingredients to powdered herb mixture, and mix them up until it forms a thick paste. It is easiest to use your hands for this step.
5. Roll mixture into 1/2-1 inch balls, depending on preference. Place them on baking sheet as you go.
6. If you’d like, you can roll the balls in more powdered herbs, shredded coconut, or dip in melted chocolate.
7. Put in refrigerator to set for 30 minutes-1 hour. Once hardened, if necessary, transfer to an airtight storage container. Keep in fridge.

What herbs should I use in zoom balls?

The best herbs for bliss balls will vary based on what you need, but there are some herbs and foods that are pretty widely beneficial.

• Adaptogens help your body cope with stress without being overstimulating or taxing your adrenals. Here are som Photo of Holy Basil by Thangaraj Kumaravel

  e adaptogens that go great in zoom balls:

  • Eleuthero
  • Ashwagandha
  • Shatavari
  • Holy basil
  • Licorice (go easy, licorice root is very sweet)
  • Suma
• Anti-inflammatory herbs help quench inflammation, which is at the root of most common diseases Photo by Simon A. Eugster
  • Turmeric
  • Ginger
  • Cloves
  • Licorice
  • Cinnamon
• Antioxidant herbs help fight damage from free radicals and have an anti-aging effect
  • Turmeric
  • Hawthorn berry
  • Green tea
  • Cacao
  • Goji berries
• Blood-sugar balancing ingredients are a good idea to offset the honey in the recipe and help tide you over between meals without crashing
  • Cinnamon
  • Flax and chia seeds
  • Holy basil
  • Nettles
  • Green tea
  • Dandelion root
• Energizing ingredients can provide a boost for mornings when you want to just grab an easy breakfast and go. Adaptogens will provide slower, longer-lasting energy over time; caffeine-containing ingredients give you a fast boost, but it might make you crash laster Matcha green tea powder
  • Green tea
  • Espresso powder
  • Guarana
  • Eleuthero
  • Cordyceps
  • Bee pollen
  • Maca
  • Raw cacao
  • Green powders
• Fiber-rich foods are great for aiding digestion, especially for people prone to constipation
  • Ground flaxseed
  • Chia seeds
  • Marshmallow root (this will absorb lots of liquid, so you might need to increase the proportion of wet ingredients if you use it)
  • Prunes
• Immunomodulating herbs and immune-building herbs are ideal additions during cold and flu season
  • Astragalus
  • Eleuthero
  • Medicinal mushrooms

    Milk thistle in flower; Photo by Dinesh Valke

• Liver cleansing herbs are good for most people, as we are constantly exposed to toxins and could always use some help detoxifying
  • Milk thistle seed
  • Dandelion root
  • Shizandra berry
  • Turmeric
  • Burdock root
• Flavoring herbs will round out your recipe and make it taste great! Plus, almost all culinary herbs have medicinal uses
  • Anise seed
  • Cacao
  • Cardamom
  • Carob
  • Cayenne
  • Cinnamon
  • Clove
  • Fennel seed
  • Garam masala
  • Ginger
  • Vanilla powder