My Cortisol-Calming Herbal Tea for Stress & Skin Health
The last couple of months have been full of stressful experiences, and my body is definitely feeling it. As a Master Herbalist, I’ve learned that when stress builds up, our body releases more cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
When cortisol stays elevated for too long, it can affect many areas of our health. People often notice symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, inflammation, and one of the most common places stress shows up… our skin.
Stress can trigger skin flare-ups, redness, dullness, breakouts, and irritation. When inflammation increases in the body, our skin often reflects it.
Whenever I feel my body under stress, I like to support it naturally with herbs that calm the nervous system, nourish the body, and help bring things back into balance. One of my favorite ways to do this is by drinking a daily herbal tea blend.
This is a simple tea I’ve been drinking morning and evening to help support my body during this stressful season and calm inflammation from the inside out.
My Cortisol-Calming Herbal Tea
Ingredients
1 teaspoon ashwagandha root
½ teaspoon moringa leaf
½ teaspoon soursop leaves
½ teaspoon reishi mushroom powder or pieces
1 pinch black seed (Nigella sativa)
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup hot water
1 tablespoon raw honey
How to Prepare the Tea
Place the herbs in a mug or tea infuser and pour 1 cup of hot water over them. Allow the herbs to steep for 10–15 minutes so the beneficial compounds can fully release into the tea.
Strain the herbs and stir in 1 tablespoon of raw honey.
I usually drink this tea once in the morning and once in the evening when I feel my body needs extra support.
Cortisol-Calming Herbal Tea (Bulk Blend)
This blend makes about 25–30 servings depending on how full you scoop your herbs.
Ingredients
½ cup ashwagandha root powder
¼ cup moringa leaf
¼ cup soursop leaves
¼ cup reishi mushroom powder or pieces
1 tablespoon black seed (Nigella sativa)
1–2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
How to Prepare the Bulk Blend
Add all herbs to a jar or mixing bowl and stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients. Store the blend in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark place.
How to Use
Add 1 teaspoon of the blend to 1 cup of hot water and steep for 10–15 minutes.
Strain and add 1 tablespoon raw honey if desired.
Drink morning and evening to help support the body’s stress response and reduce inflammation.
Why These Herbs Help Support the Body
Each herb in this blend plays a role in helping the body recover from stress.
Ashwagandha is one of the most well-known adaptogenic herbs and helps the body regulate the stress response and support healthy cortisol levels.
Moringa is incredibly nutrient-dense and packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish the body when it has been depleted by stress.
Soursop leaves are traditionally used to help calm the nervous system and support immune balance while reducing inflammation.
Reishi mushroom is often called the “mushroom of calm.” It supports the immune system, helps regulate the body’s stress response, and encourages deeper rest.
Black seed has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cayenne pepper supports circulation, helping oxygen and nutrients move throughout the body so tissues—including the skin—can repair and heal.
Supporting Skin From the Inside Out
One thing I always remind my clients is that our skin often reflects what is happening inside the body.
When cortisol rises and inflammation increases, the skin can lose its glow and become more reactive. Supporting the body internally with herbs like these can help calm the stress response and reduce inflammation.
But I also believe in supporting the skin from the outside at the same time.
When these herbs are paired with LED light therapy, )specifically, orange, yellow, and green light), they can work beautifully together. Light therapy helps stimulate circulation, calm inflammation, and support the skin’s natural repair processes.
At the same time, nourishing the skin with healthy oils helps strengthen the skin barrier, protect the microbiome, and restore hydration. When the skin barrier is strong, the skin becomes calmer, healthier, and more resilient.
This is the approach I teach through The Healing Happy Method—supporting the body from the inside while also nourishing the skin on the outside.
When we calm inflammation, nourish the body, and support the skin barrier, the result is something we all love to see…
healthy, glowing skin.