Popping up in health food stores and in juice bars, adaptogenic herbs are the latest buzz in the health and wellness industry, but this healthy trend has staying power. With roots in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, healing herbs known today as adaptogens are non-toxic plants that have long been known to support both mind and body health. Whether it’s the high cost or unwelcome side effects of today’s pharmaceutical drugs, many people are searching for safe and effective alternatives to enhance their health, so they look toward the world of botanicals and ancient practices based on the healing power of nature’s medicines. Learn all about adaptogenic herbs and how they may support psychological and physical health here.
Stress: It’s Both Mental and Physical
The body is tasked with combating stress in many forms. Whether it is chronic psychological stress, inflammation, or infection, the threats to health come in many forms and guises. As a whole, adaptogenic herbs help fight these stressors. Each herb does something a little different to support this fight and our health but as a whole, they are adept at bolstering our immunity and natural ability to fend off these stressors. Over time, stress can wreak havoc on both physical and mental health, so people are turning to natural remedies to reduce these stressors and protect their overall health from their ill effects.
How Do People Ingest Adaptogens?
Adaptogenic roots and herbs can be infused into recipes for meals or taken in teas. To ensure they’re getting a healthy amount of adaptogens, many are simply taking supplements of adaptogenic herbs like holy basil or Siberian ginseng. There are many reliable supplement brands on the market today selling adaptogenic herbs. Some of these include Herbs of Gold and Fusion. Whether you consume these herbs as a supplement or brew them into tea, you can begin the process of helping your body combat the stressors that plague it every day.
What Are Some of the Most Effective Adaptogenic Herbs?
There is a wide array of adaptogens, so you’ll want to consider where you might need the most support. What do you feel is ailing you? Do you experience frequent fatigue? Are you irritable or anxious but aren’t sure why? Do you experience gastrointestinal issues from time to time? Some herbs are better at combating specific stressors than others. You’ll want to research individual herbs to ensure that you’re ingesting the ones most suited to your specific needs. Even so, some of the most popular adaptogens today include:
Rhodiola rosea: this herb is known to help ward off physical and mental fatigue. If you’re feeling run down, you might try Love Tea Vitality Organic Wellness Tea to promote rejuvenation.
Ashwagandha: known to reduce both anxiety and stress. Try Herbs of Gold Anxiety Ease or iThrive Nutrition Adreno Ignite, both readily available at Go Natural Foods.
Asian Ginseng: this herb is believed to target the sources of hormone imbalances and stress.
Siberian Ginseng: this plant supports immune system function and promotes sexual health and physical stamina. Fusion Health Energy contains both Asian and Siberian Ginseng.
American Ginseng: believed to boost memory, focus, and reaction time. Try Fusion Health Women’s Multi Advanced.
Turmeric: this plant promotes the body’s ability to maintain healthy levels of the stress hormone corticosterone.
Schisandra: some people take this herb to ease gastrointestinal complaints and support liver function.
Holy basil: otherwise known as Tulsi, is said to reduce stress-related anxiety and depression. Readily available in wellness teas, Go Natural Foods loves the Organic India Tulsi Herbal Tea range.
Liquorice: said to stimulate the adrenal glands, support the immune system, and boost energy. Try Blooms Liquorice Root (Cut) Herbal Tea.
Astragalus Root: known to decrease age-related stressors. Also found in Love Tea Vitality Wellness Tea or can be taken directly as a supplement with Nature’s Sunshine Astragalus Capsules.
Reishi: these mushrooms are said to promote healthy sleep patterns. Add Teelixir Reishi Mushroom Powder your favourite evening hot drink.
Are Adaptogens Safe to Ingest?
As non-toxic plants, these adaptogens are edible and safe to take in supplement form, in teas, or as an ingredient in your meals. However, much depends on a person’s individual chemistry. Certain herbs may not agree with your stomach, for instance. Also, if you are taking any pharmaceutical drugs, you should always consult with your physician or pharmacist before embarking on a new supplement.
Additionally, always be on the lookout for side effects, but these herbs are not particularly known to cause side effects and certainly not to the extent that many prescription drugs do. There is little evidence that these herbs cause any effects, but some people may be allergic to certain plants or experience a gastrointestinal disturbance. Again, be sure to get approval from your doctor before taking adaptogens in conjunction with any prescription or over-the-counter medication you may be taking, as there could be some potential for interaction.
Do Adaptogenic Herbs Really Work?
Around the globe, many people have relied on the healing and health-supporting power of adaptogenic herbs. We know that good nutrition supports optimum health. We already try to eat foods with nutrients our bodies rely on. So, ingesting herbs to address certain health issues like stress isn’t much of a stretch. In fact, many modern pharmaceutical drugs are based on healing plants (but they cost a lot more!).
Visit Go Natural Foods to find healthful adaptogenic herbal supplements and blends designed to support mental and physical stress reduction. Go Natural Foods features a very diverse range of products to choose from.
