You may have heard the word adaptogen floating around the wellness world and thought to yourself – what on earth is this word that I can barely even pronounce and why would I ever put them in my body?

Well, adaptogens are simply herbs that you can ingest to help counteract the negative effects of stress and promote balance within your body.

As the name suggests they ‘adapt’ to provide you with different effects depending on what you require. For example, if you are chronically stressed and have a ton of cortisol flowing through your system, they will provide calming to the nervous system and if you are fatigued and can barely get out of bed in the morning these adaptogens will be more energizing to the body. The beauty in this is you are helping bring your body back into balance and that is always my goal when working with clients and for my own health.

When it comes to your wellness routine, you can easily incorporate a few adaptogens into your daily life to help boost your overall health!

After a few days or weeks of incorporating different adaptogens into your lifestyle, you will be amazed at the way they can transform your life and help you feel more balanced.

Different adaptogens have incredible benefits for your nervous system, stress levels, and anxiety.

If you’re interested in learning more about the different adaptogens and the benefits that they can offer you, then read on!

This is the article for you.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is one of the herbs that are central to alternative medicine and one I use on a daily basis.

It has been found to help with the following health factors:

● Boost brain function

● Lower blood sugar

● Lower cortisol levels

● Fight off symptoms of anxiety and depression

● Promote a healthy weight

It goes by a few other names, such as winter cherry and Indian ginseng. It has a unique smell and is known for strengthening your constitution.

People that have been a part of controlled group studies have also proclaimed about its stress and anxiety-reducing properties.

If you need assistance with your wellness management, ashwagandha may be able to help you with one or multiple symptoms!

Astragalus

Astragalus is an adaptogen that has been used for centuries within Chinese medicine – it is known as the Great Protector and is an ultimate CHI tonic.

This adaptogen comes from a flowering plant, but it is the root that is used for its medicinal properties.

Here are a few things that astragalus has been said to help with:

● Chronic fatigue syndrome

● Respiratory issues

● Asthma

● Strengthening the immune system

● Topically to heal wounds faster and promote healthy blood flow

This adaptogen is often used alongside other herbs. If you are taking any medications, be sure to speak with your doctor prior to incorporating this into your diet. Many doctors will be able to help you form a plan that is complimentary with the adaptogens that you are taking.

Maca

The maca root is an adaptogen that has gained mainstream recognition within the wellness community. This plant is native to Peru and is easy to find as a supplemental powder or capsule.

Maca is unique in that it grows at an extremely high altitude within the Andes mountains. While the research on maca is relatively new, people that consume maca have noticed incredible benefits.

Here are just a few:

● Increased libido

● Hormonal balance

● Relief of menopausal symptoms in women

● Possible increased fertility in men

● Mood enhancer

● Energy boost

Since maca is widely available in a few different forms, this adaptogen is easy to add to your diet! I add it to smoothies, matcha and even my homemade cashew milk because it adds just a touch of sweetness without a lot of sugar.

Holy Basil

Holy Basil is a beautiful plant that has violet-colored blossoms. The root, stems, and leaves are the parts that are used for this adaptogen’s medicinal purposes.

Holy Basil is often used for cooking and has a particularly spicy flavor to it, giving it the nickname of “hot basil” as well.

This adaptogen has been used for its healing properties for mind, body, and spirit for centuries!

Holy basil is renowned for its ability to help aid your body against different stressors that it may face. Here are just a few ways incorporating Holy Basil into your diet can help you:

● Balancing hormones such as your stress hormone

● Improving your brain function

● Boosting energy levels

● Strengthening your immune system

And more! You’ll grow to love Holy Basil’s spicy flavor and wonder what you ever did before adding this adaptogen into your routine!

Incorporating Adaptogens Into Your Wellness Routine

Now that you know a few adaptogens and their healing effects, you’re probably wondering how you can add these adaptogens into your routine.

The good news is that these herbal remedies are offered in different capsules and powders, so it’s never been easier to get your daily dose.

Here are just a few suggestions for adding them in:

● Mix them in with your morning matcha or coffee. Coffee is strong, bitter, and hot and it will easily dissolve an adaptogen in powder form.

● Add it into your smoothie: If you have the full herb or a powder version of some of the above adaptogens, it is easy to add them into your morning smoothie for a daily boost of energy!

● Cook with them: Add adaptogens into hot meals such as oat meal, stir-fries, or different pasta sauces. These herbs will blend nicely with your other seasoning and add nutrition to your meal.

Your Beginners Guide to Adaptogens

Now you know the different types of adaptogens that you can try to improve your life and a few different hacks that will help you incorporate them into your daily routine!

Adaptogens are an easy way to help your body fight against a variety of stressors so that you can get back to living

Try out one or two adaptogens for a few weeks, and see how it makes a difference in your own life.

Interested in learning more? Be sure to check out my Instagram!