ADAPTOGENS: SUPERSTARS OF HERBAL MEDICINE
It’s no secret we live in a busy world. A world that at times can take a serious toll on our bodies if we aren’t nourishing and nurturing ourselves in a way that works for us.
After a stressful and traumatic event I had adrenal burnout to the point I was sleeping 16 hours a day and still never feeling rested. The missing key was nourishing my adrenal glands back to health with a class of herbs called adaptogens.
Adaptogens are herbal medicines that help the body adapt to stress and normalize bodily processes. So basically, if you are high strung and need to relax, they can help you relax, and if you are weak and fatigued, they can improve stamina and energy levels.
Adaptogens are my favorite herbal medicine! They are incredibly safe for almost everyone, have been used for thousands and thousands of years, and have helped me and almost everyone I know in some way or another.
A lot of things can cause adrenal insufficiency or burnout, but it all comes down to stress. Constant stress with no rest time, ignoring natural cycles and not listening to the voice within (intuition) are major contributors.
Some symptoms of Adrenal insufficiency include constant fatigue, poor muscle recovery after workouts (soreness that last longer than it should), depression, anxiety, and low blood sugar.
Thanks to nature, adapotgens can help. My personal faourite is Ashwaganda. Others include Holy Basil, Siberian Ginseng, Rhodiola, Astragalus, Licorice, Schisandra. (Not an inclusive list.)
Adaptogens help in the following ways:
Combat stress by regulating hormones, specifically cortisol
Increase immunity. (You know how you get sick after a stressful time? This can help!)
Increasing strength and endurance (Ashwaganda literally means “Strength of a Stallion”)
Adaptogens also boost mood, lower cholesterol, treat cancer, improve sleep quality, and enhance memory and brain function.
As you can see, adaptogens are herbal superstars. By eating a clean diet with adequate hydration, fiber, healthy fats and proteins, reducing sugar and processed foods, and adding 500mg 1-2x/day you can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase immunity.
Got questions? Contact me and let’s get you feeling your best!
Gt