Adaptogens are plants that gently support the body to manage stressors. They are foundational in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and often part of the regular diet. Eastern medicine also considers that total healing is an alignment or congruency of the body, mind, and spirit. So consider how you are addressing your optimal health across all areas of your life.
Stress, anger, fear, and excess adrenaline create unhealthy patterns in the body and put our systems out of balance. Adaptogens help get back into equilibrium, like a scaffold or support so to speak, to handle stress and toxic load.
Like the name suggests, adaptogens don’t work over night. The real magic comes from consistency and integrating the support systemically. They are gentle on the body and move steadily towards healing. Over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and paracetamol are helpful for acute relief, but continual use over an extended period of time will lead to side effects often related to the liver and digestion.
Adaptogens come from plants and there are dozens of them. I’ve listed a few of the most common ones here. Maybe you’ve heard of them or added them to your smoothies! They often come in a powdered form, or as a tea, and also in tinctures and capsules.
It’s best to do a little detective work and use them with intention for the problem you are trying to solve. Consider what will be the best time of day to take them. Be sure to learn about any contradictions, especially if you are taking medications.
- Ashwaganda is a root that helps you to stay grounded and preserves your energy which reduces stress and anxiety by being able to better handle all that’s going on in your life.
- Asian ginseng is a root used to boost mental performance and reduce stress
- Chamomile flowers decrease cortisol levels and enhance a balanced mood.
- Goji berry (fruit) boosts energy, physical and mental performance, calmness, and sense of well-being, and can also improve sleep
- Lions mane Mushroom encourages focus and concentration.
- Reishi Mushroom helps to regulate hormone response and helps the body adapt to stress. This encourages restorative sleep.
- Tulsi, also known as holy basil. is known to reduce physical and mental stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Turmeric is a known anti-inflammatory that can boost brain function and reduce feelings of depression.
