Gut-Healing Hibiscus Collagen Gelatin
Ingredients:
4 C Hibiscus tea – instructions below on how to brew it from tea bags
4 tbsp grass fed gelatin
2 tbsp honey
2 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
2 scoops collagen peptides, I used Vital Proteins
Directions:
1. Brew the hibiscus: tea heat 3 C of water until warm but not boiling. Then add 4 tea bags and allow to steep 5-10 minutes
2. With the 1 cup of water left over place it in a small bowl. Mix in the gelatin and allow to bloom. In a few minutes it will become thicker and more gelatin like
3. Remove the tea bags from the brewed tea. Add the collagen powder, lemon juice, honey and bloomed gelatin. Stir until completely dissolved
4. Refrigerate overnight. Consume 1-2 cubes daily
🌺 Medical & Functional Benefits of Hibiscus Collagen Gelatin
🦠 1. Gut-Healing & Digestive Support
Gelatin is rich in glycine and glutamine—amino acids that help repair the gut lining, strengthen tight junctions, and soothe inflammation in the digestive tract.
It supports mucosal integrity, making it beneficial for conditions like leaky gut, IBS, SIBO, or candida recovery.
The gelatinous texture also helps bind water and promote smoother digestion, easing constipation and bloating.
💆♀️ 2. Collagen for Skin, Hair & Joints
Collagen peptides provide essential building blocks for skin elasticity, joint cartilage, and connective tissue. They reduce fine lines, improve hydration, and may even support wound healing.
Collagen also helps maintain the gut barrier and reduce systemic inflammation—a key link between gut and skin health (the gut-skin axis).
🌸 3. Hibiscus: Antioxidant & Hormone Balancer
Hibiscus is packed with polyphenols and anthocyanins—antioxidants that fight oxidative stress and protect cells from inflammation.
It has natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which support a balanced microbiome.
Hibiscus tea may also help lower blood pressure, support liver detoxification, and gently balance estrogen by improving liver clearance of excess hormones.
It’s a caffeine-free, anti-inflammatory adaptogen that supports women’s health and hormone stability during PMS or perimenopause.
💧 4. Hydration & Mineral Balance
The combination of hibiscus tea + gelatin helps retain water in tissues and supports electrolyte balance—especially helpful for those with adrenal fatigue, POTS, or chronic stress.
The minerals in hibiscus (magnesium, potassium) also support nervous system calm and muscle recovery.
🧠 5. Mood & Nervous System Benefits
Glycine in gelatin acts as a natural neurotransmitter that calms the brain and promotes deeper sleep.
It can help lower anxiety and nighttime wakefulness by stabilizing blood sugar and supporting parasympathetic nervous system function.
5 More gut supportive recipes:
- Two more gelatin recipes with purpose. Follow the same instructions as above but with these new ingredients:
🍊 Citrus Ginger Gelatin: Fresh orange juice, 1 tsp grated ginger, gelatin, and a touch of raw honey (boosts motility + immunity).
🍒 Tart Cherry Magnesium Gelatin: Tart cherry juice + gelatin + magnesium citrate + vanilla (anti-inflammatory and sleep-supportive).
2 cups 100% tart cherry juice (unsweetened)
2 tbsp grass-fed gelatin powder (such as Vital Proteins)
1–2 tsp magnesium citrate powder (start with 1 tsp if
1–2 tbsp raw honey or maple syrup, to taste
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Optional: pinch of sea salt + squeeze of lemon juice (for brightness)
Ginger-Lemongrass Detox Tea
Fresh ginger slices, lemongrass stalks, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest simmered 15 min.
Supports motility, bile flow, and microbial balance.
Gut-Loving Coconut Chia Bites
Why it works: Fiber, MCTs, and omega-3s = balanced microbiome support.
Ingredients: Makes 12 balls
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
¼ cup chia seeds (or 3 tbsp psyllium husk for low-histamine)
¼ cup coconut butter or sunbutter (if seed-free)
2 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
Optional:
1–2 tbsp collagen peptides (for gut + protein boost)
2 tbsp dried blueberries or chopped dates for variety
Directions:
Stir all ingredients in a bowl until fully combined (mixture should stick when pressed).
Roll into small balls or press into a lined dish and cut into bars.
Chill 30 minutes before serving. Store refrigerated up to 1 week.
Meal Prep: Gut-Soothing Chicken & Veggie Broth Bowl
Why it works: Combines prebiotic fibers + amino acids for gut repair.
Ingredients:
Shredded chicken or turkey breast
Bone broth (or miso broth if vegan)
Cooked carrots, zucchini, bok choy, spinach
Rice noodles or quinoa
Toppings: scallions, sesame oil (if tolerated), sea salt, ginger, and turmeric …..Makes 4 servings:
4 cups bone broth (or chicken stock)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast (about 12 oz)
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup zucchini (half-moons)
2 cups baby bok choy or spinach
1½ cups cooked rice noodles, millet, or quinoa
1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
1 tsp turmeric powder or 1 tbsp grated fresh turmeric
1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
1 tbsp coconut aminos (optional, for flavor)
Sea salt & pepper to taste
Optional toppings: chopped scallions, lime wedge, drizzle of sesame oil (if tolerated)
Directions:
Sauté ginger and turmeric in oil for 1 minute.
Add broth, carrots, zucchini, and chicken; simmer 10 minutes.
Stir in greens and noodles/quinoa; cook another 3 minutes.
Season and top with scallions and lime.
Store components separately for meal prep; combine before serving.
Baked Apple Gut Bites
Yields: 10–12 mini bites (about 4 servings)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes
🧾 Ingredients
1 ½ cups diced apple (about 1 large apple, skin on for fiber)
1 cup rolled oats (or quick oats if you prefer softer texture)
2 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional: psyllium if avoiding flax)
1 scoop (2 tbsp) collagen peptides (supports gut lining)
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp sea salt
2 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey
2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional: 2 tbsp raisins or diced dates for extra sweetness
👩🍳 Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a mini muffin tin or baking sheet with parchment.
In a large bowl, combine oats, flax, collagen, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
Add diced apple, maple syrup, applesauce, oil, and vanilla. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Scoop mixture into small rounds (or press firmly into mini muffin wells).
Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden and slightly crisp around the edges.
Cool completely before removing; store in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 1 month.
🌿 Gut Health Benefits
Apples: rich in pectin, a prebiotic fiber that nourishes beneficial gut bacteria.
Oats: soluble beta-glucan fiber supports stable blood sugar and digestion.
Collagen: helps repair intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”).
Cinnamon & Ginger: natural anti-inflammatories that calm bloating.
