These ginger wellness shots are packed with anti-inflammatory power and have the ability to be an acute remedy for migraine headaches or nausea. This unique combination is made with carrot, ginger, and turmeric for a well-rounded recipe without a lot of acid from citrus.
While this recipe is unique compared to most wellness shots, I find the combination of carrot and ginger a lot more palatable. The sweetness of the carrot juice mellows out a lot of the burn from ginger.
Not only that, but carrot juice contains a lot of the same health benefits as citrus. When combined with turmeric and ginger, I've found that taking one of these wellness shots can help ease my migraine symptoms, headaches, or fatigue.
What I love about this recipe? I struggled heavily increased migraine symptoms postpartum, especially with the lack of sleep. As I was testing this wellness shot recipe, I noticed that it was successful at reducing or completely aborting a lot of my symptoms like dizziness, head pain, and brain fog.
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Benefits of Wellness Shots
I originally developed this recipe, looking for a natural way to help me overcome the fatigue and headaches I was facing postpartum, as well as some brain fog I experience with vestibular migraine.
This ginger wellness shot recipe is:
- Citrus free - Because citrus can sometimes be a trigger food for migraine sufferers, the health benefits are replaced by alternative foods.
- Anti-inflammatory - Packed with pain-fighting power, this simple shot consists of key anti-inflammatory ingredients.
- Preservative free - Compared to wellness shots that you'll find at the grocery store, these are additive and preservative free.
- Inexpensive - Wellness shots from juice shops can typically cost anywhere from $3-5 for ONE shot! For that price, you can make several with this recipe.
Why This Combination Works
Ginger - Ginger has been studied a few times for it's pain-fighting power as a natural migraine remedy. Gingerol, a main component that gives the spicy flavor, contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While ginger has been proven to help with chronic disease, its reliability for migraine remains debated. However, many patients claim that it aids with nausea and vomiting relief, as well as helps to lower pain.
Carrot - Carrots also contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin B6 (a nausea aid). They're also a fair source of vitamin C. The natural sweetness helps to mellow the other ingredients without adding a bunch of sugar.
Turmeric - Turmeric is beneficial due to a polyphenol called "curcumin", containing anti-inflammatory properties. It has been studied as an aid for anxiety and inflammation. However, large amounts of it (like taking as a supplement) can increase your risk for kidney stones and interact with other medications. That's why many physicians prefer it as a dietary addition.
Ingredients
- Carrots or carrot juice - Either use organic fresh whole carrots if juicing, or buy store-bought carrot juice. Trader Joe's carries this as well as local grocery stores!
- Fresh ginger - I also recommend buying organic, if possible, since this is such a concentrated ingredient. If you have pre-made ginger juice that will also work.
- Turmeric - You can use ground or fresh here, both work well. If you have a juicer I recommend fresh, but if you're just combining juices here, I recommend powder.
- Black pepper - A pinch is used to activate the anti-inflammatory power of curcumin.
You can also add sweetener, like honey, to taste. But I recommend trying it with just the carrot juice as first, which is sweet on its own.
Equipment Needed
You will either need to have a solid blender (my favorites that I've personally used are Nutribullet, Vitamix, and Ninja) or a juicer.
For a juicer, I just got a simple, fairly inexpensive Jocuu from Amazon. Worked great for this recipe.
How to Make Wellness Shots
With a Juicer
I prefer to juice everything one ingredient at a time and then combine them to taste. This way you can use the juices separately in other mixes, like a mocktail! It also allows you to adjust the ginger to make it more or less spicy.
Simply juice according to your juicer's directions and combine in a jar or blender. Shake or blend well.
With a Blender
Step 1: Make the ginger juice by combining water with ginger and blending, then straining.
Step 2: Combine ginger juice, turmeric, black pepper, and carrot juice in a blender or mason jar and blend till fully combined and smooth.
Step 3: Adjust flavors to preference. If it's too spicy, you can tone down the ginger with more carrot juice. Just remember the flavors are meant to be bold!
Recipe Tips
Here are my best tips for making the most delicious wellness shots.
- I highly recommend just purchasing carrot juice if you do not own a juicer. I've tried the blender method for this and it's definitely not as good. With ginger juice, you can get away with more.
- Gingerol is very strong and this recipe is on the spicy side! If you do not like anything spicy, I recommend cutting back significantly on the ginger juice.
- Freshly juiced ginger will be a much stronger flavor than the blended ginger juice, so keep that in mind when mixing.
Storage Suggestions
Juices stored separately can last up to 1 week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find when combined together as a wellness shot, they tend to only last about 3-4 days.
Carrot juice seems to lose its flavor profile much faster than ginger juice. Shake well before consuming as the juices will also separate.
These wellness shots can also be frozen and kept for up to 3 months.
Serving Recommendations
These wellness shots can be used many different ways, but a few of my favorites are.
- Just as a quick shot in the morning, or if you have a migraine attack or illness.
- As a mocktail, mixed with sparkling water (pictured above).
- Frozen into ice cubes and used for adding to drinks!
What to Do with Pulp from a Juicer?
If you have leftover pulp from the ginger or carrots, I have a few ways to use them so they don't go to waste!
For carrots, I mix them with eggs and flour for a little carrot fritter that I fry in avocado oil. It is a great way to sneak in veggies for my toddler.
For the ginger, you can use this with hot water to make a natural tea.
Recipe FAQ
The benefits of drinking wellness shots are highly individual, however, I have seen a lot of success with readers using anti-inflammatory foods when it comes to migraine attacks and nausea. This shot personally helped me reduce my brain fog on a migraine day.
I believe combining turmeric and ginger give you a great opportunity for reducing or eliminating migraine symptoms, especially as a natural treatment. I've seen many readers use ginger tea, but this could be an even faster alternative.
I recommend drinking these anti-inflammatory wellness shots at the first sign of a migraine attack or illness. They also can be taken at any point, but you may notice the greatest benefits if caught early.
This is a great question for your physician. Ginger and turmeric in large amounts can interact with certain medications and cause blood thinning, so it's important to check before consuming them often.
Most wellness shots cost about $3 for 2oz. With this recipe, you're making 8oz with roughly $1.50 of ingredients. So with every batch, you save yourself roughly $10.50. You're essentially getting 3 free shots.
Anti-Inflammatory Recipes
If you're looking for more recipes that can potentially reduce migraine symptoms, pain, or overall inflammation, you'll love these posts.
If you make this, tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram. And if you love the recipe, please leave a review below! Follow along on my Pinterest for more great recipes.
Anti-Inflammatory Wellness Shots
Equipment
- 1 Juicer (either juicer or blender will work!)
- 1 Blender (either juicer or blender will work!)
Ingredients
For a juicer
- 1½ pounds fresh carrots, washed and scrubbed
- ¾ pound fresh ginger (about 2 knobs)
- ½ teaspoon dried turmeric
- freshly cracked black pepper (just a tiny pinch)
- Optional: Honey to taste (about 2-3 teaspoons)
For a blender
- ⅔ cup carrot juice
- 2-3 tablespoons ginger juice
- ½ teaspoon dried turmeric
- pinch of black pepper
- Optional: Honey to taste (about 2-3 teaspoons)
Instructions
For the juicer
- Juice the carrot juice and ginger separately. I found 1½ pounds of carrots makes roughly ⅔ cup carrot juice and ¾ pounds of ginger (2 large knobs) makes around ¼ cup juiced. Combine those together, starting with about 2 tablespoons of ginger juice and increasing as you like, with the turmeric, black pepper, and honey (if using) in a mason jar and shake till fully combined. For even better results, place them in a blender and blend till the turmeric is fully combined.
For the blender
- Use my simple instructions for making ginger juice in a blender and then combine 2-3 tablespoons of that with either homemade or store-bought carrot juice, turmeric, black pepper, and honey (if using). Blend till fully combined.
- Store in the fridge for 2-3 days for best results. Separate juices can be stored for up to one week. Or freeze the wellness shot in ice cube trays for up to 3-6 months.
Notes
- Ginger juice in the juicer is much stronger than ginger juice made with a blender. I suggest starting with roughly 2 tablespoons and using more as needed.
- This wellness shot is spicy, especially if you're not used to taking ginger shots. Again, start with a lower amount and add more as needed (this is why I like to juice them separately).
- For best flavor, I recommend storing the juices separately and combining them to make shots as needed.
- Wellness shots can be frozen in ice cube trays to preserve freshness!
- Honey helps to dull the spiciness and can be a great addition if this is being used with a sore throat or for a cold. But I personally think carrot juice is sweet enough on it's own!
Hung says
How many of these shots can you drink per day? Per week?
Brooke Thompson says
I love this recipe! Just wanted to add that for anyone not able to make this at home, Whole Foods has a similar juice that also includes beet juice. It isn’t as strong as this, but has definitely gotten me through some rough afternoons. I think it’s called mom’s blend.
Susan says
I made this and it doesn’t taste bad at all. The carrot juice is so sweet. I’ll let you know if it works however, I really do not like turmeric even though I used it is there anything else I could use or can I just omit it?
Alicia says
Yes, just omit it! 🙂