Your Guide to Adaptogens

Moms are juggling ALL the things, and we are often putting our own needs low on the list. So many moms are feeling depleted, exhausted, and overwhelmed just keeping up with life, and I see four root causes that are impacting most of my clients…

  • Imbalanced blood sugar

  • Imbalanced hormones

  • Dysregulated nervous system

  • Nutrient deficiencies

That’s where adaptogens come in!

Adaptogens are a class of herbs that help the body ADAPT to stress by upregulating our systems that are running depleted and downregulating our systems that are over-stressed. That means that they can boost things that need to be boosted, but also calm things that need to be calmed. Adaptogens are incredibly powerful for helping us to adapt to stress, increase resilience, and promote balance in the body. They have been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

You may have been relying on caffeine to get through your day, which definitely provides us a quick burst of energy, but also results in a major crash (not to mention the impact on our nervous system and blood sugar). Adaptogens actually work by supporting the body’s natural stress response and energy production cycles, so that we actually get more CAPACITY in our body to respond, perform, and thrive.

Adaptogens have been shown to…

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  • boost energy

  • boost mental focus and clarity

  • reduce anxiety and stress

  • improve symptoms of depression and anxiety

  • boost overall immune health

  • balance our hormones

  • improve fertility

  • support our stress response systems

  • boost athletic performance and lung capacity




 

How do I take them?

Adaptogens come in many forms, from teas to tinctures to pills. If my clients are in healing or recovery mode, or are currently in survival mode, I recommend tinctures, as they tend to be more fast acting and more concentrated. For daily maintenance, I prefer to use powders and teas to make adaptogenic lattes, teas, and smoothies.

As they are becoming more popular, be sure to do your research and find a reputable brand selling high-quality herbs. If you’re looking for a yummy health-boosting beverage, I personally use and love the brands Rasa, Four Sigmatic, Om Mushrooms, and Mud \ Wtr (not sponsored or affiliated, just a fan)

Top Adaptogens for Moms:


ASHWAGANDA: THE STRESS BUSTER

Reduces stress/anxiety, boosts fertility, very calming and nourishing, insomnia, mild aches and pains

MACA: THE HORMONE BALANCER

balances hormones, supports ovulation, balances estrogen + progesterone, increases energy and focus, boosts libido + fertility

ELEUTHERO: THE CIRCADIAN MASTER-

Helps with brain fog, boosts focus, low immunity, circadian support (great for night shift workers)

HOLY BASIL (TULSI): THE MOOD BOOSTER-

Calming, relaxing, great for stress and anxiety, supports mental clarity and positivity

GINSING: THE VITALITY KEY -

Boosts immune system, reduces stress

RHODIOLA: THE ENERGY ENHANCER-

Supports with anxiety, mental fog, irritability, burnout, slightly stimulating

SHATAVARI: THE REJUVINATING QUEEN-

Queen of women’s hormonal support, supports PMS, fertility, menopause symptoms, focus, memory, brain health

REISHI: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM NOURISHER-

Sleep quality, immune booster, supports chronic overwhelm




This should not be taken as medical advice, and any intake of herbs (particularly during pregnancy) should be discussed with your doctor.




Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3991026/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3991026/

Martina PezzinoComment