Combat Thinning Hair By Adding This Ingredient To Your Smoothie Recipes

As your healthy living sensibilities have matured, so have your smoothies and juices—ingredients have evolved from basic (the usual fruit and yogurt) to badass (kale and beets). Now take it a step further by adding in a naturally derived beauty benefit to your daily drink. 

Things like pearl powder and ho shou wu might not sound like they belong in your blender, but these powerful add-ins, based on the principles of Eastern medicine and natural remedies, can help make your hair thicker and your skin brighter. Here are 5  favorite juices herbs to try at home.

Ho Shou Wu

What It Is: The roots of the Chinese knotweed vine are usually available dried in powder form. 

What It Does: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, ho shou wu is thought to stimulate hair growth and make your hair thicker. It helped with his hair growth. 

How to Use It: Add powdered ho shou wo (check the package label for dosing instructions) to unsweetened almond milk or directly to your favorite juice or smoothie.

Burdock Root

What It Is: The thick, brown root of the burdock plant is available fresh, but the dried, powdered form is easier to add to drinks. 

What It Does: Burdock root has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that might help restore balance to skin that's itchy and dry or oily and acne-prone. Burdock is one of the best things you can do for it.

How to Use It: Steep burdock root powder (check the package label for dosing instructions) in 1½ cups water overnight to make a tea. You can drink the tea straight, or use it as the liquid in your favorite juice or smoothie.

Turmeric

What It Is: Turmeric is an earthy yellow root that's available fresh, like ginger, or dried in powder form. 

What It Does: Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries to treat skin diseases in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's the ultimate for inflammation caused by acne. 

How to Use It: Stir 1 tablespoon of dried turmeric into a few ounces of warm water for a turmeric shot or add it directly to your juice or smoothie. Just be careful not to get it on your clothes—turmeric makes a fierce stain.

Pearl Powder

What It Is: A creamy, talc-like powder, this anti-aging agent is actually made from crushed pearls. 

What It Does: It's rich in amino acids and enzymes that help promote healthy cell growth so your skin looks younger, smoother, and more vibrant.

How to Use It: Add pearl powder directly to your juice or smoothie or stir it into a glass of unsweetened almond milk (check the package label for dosing instructions).

Rose Water

What It Is: This rose-scented liquid is made from the steam of distilled rose petals. 

What It Does: Rose water is rich in antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight blotchiness and improve your skin's tone and color. It's awesome for vibrancy and an overall healthy glow. 

How to Use It: Add 1 teaspoon of rose water to a glass of water (it's especially nice in sparkling water) or directly to your juice or smoothie.

Smoothie Recipe

You can experiment with different herb-and-smoothie combinations to find the flavor profiles that you like best. Try turmeric with carrot and ginger or pearl powder with frozen cherries. But this easy, energizing base recipe works with everything.

• 1 medium avocado, pitted
• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 2 cups leafy greens, like spinach or kale
• 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk or herb-infused tea, like burdock root tea
• Powdered herbs (use amounts directed by package label)

1. COMBINE all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 

2. DRINK immediately.