Adaptogen Herbs

Happy New Year fellow Vai Athletica supporters!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. We had a lot of fun and some good quality family time but I’m not gonna lie, I’m glad it’s all over! Not that I’m some sort of Scrooge or Grinch, I’m just excited to get back to regular stuff – the daily routines that as much as the “fly by the seat of my pants” girl inside me hates to admit it, I thrive on as so many of us do. While it’s a fun and welcome (albeit stressful) shift to sort of getting consumed by all of the holiday craziness, like a baby who missed their nap, I really start to crave MY normal. 

On that note, I’m going to chat with you about one of my favorite Ayurvedic (there’s that word again 😉) ways to naturally combat stress- the Adaptogen. 

Adaptogens are plants and herbs that have chemical compounds and other beneficial properties that support our healthy responses to occasional stress within our bodies. Many of these plants which can be the leaves, flowers, roots, and even fungi (the beloved mushroom!) have “specific phytochemicals” that also promote and support wellness in many of our body’s structures and functions as the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. I don’t know about the rest of you but I like a name that tells you what it is SO, ADAPTogens basically help our bodies adapt and respond better to the inevitable stresses of life. Stress is such a nasty little bugger and if we don’t do our best to face it head-on we can be plagued by things like weakened immune systems resulting in more frequent sickness, excess belly fat caused by increased Cortisol (our main stress hormone) levels, aches and pains, insomnia, increased inflammation throughout our bodies, feelings of anxiety and/or depression, and SO many more. I’d like to briefly introduce you to a few of my most favorite little adaptogenic soldiers and share how I incorporate them into my daily routines.

Ashwagandha (AKA Indian Ginseng) – thought to be one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda and has been used for thousands of years to relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration. The leaves and roots are used to make calming extracts and powders. A couple of the superfood powders that I use for smoothies and such contain Ashwagandha as do my coffee grounds (I mentioned before that I found a coffee company that infuses their grounds with mushrooms and other adaptogenic helpers). 

Tulsi (AKA Holy Basil) – This little gem from the mint family gets its nickname Holy Basil because it is considered a sacred plant by the Hindus. Tulsi is the Hindu word for “the incomparable one” and boy is it! Tulsi is considered the “Golden remedy of Ayurveda” and known as the “Queen of the Herbs”. The leaves stems and seeds of this amazing medicinal herb are used not only for helping to deal with stress but to treat many conditions including diabetes, the common cold, and high blood pressure. Not to mention it smells divine! I diffuse it all the time and as I write this I’m drinking a cup of Tulsi/Ashwagandha tea 🙂

Reishi Mushrooms – We all should know by now how I feel about mushrooms 😉 but this little heart-shaped guy really can do it all. Aside from its adaptogenic value, this fungi supports our body’s production of immune cells and antioxidants improving both our immune and cardiovascular systems and supporting our liver function. Reishis contain “polysaccharides” that serve as nutrients for the good or wanted bacteria in our guts which helps to create a healthy microbiome and I’ve said it before, true health and wellness begins with a healthy gut! Reishis can help you wind down at the end of a busy day, promote a good night’s sleep, and support an overall restful sense of being. Yes, please!!! Like the Ashwagandha I get my Reishi (along with all my other favorite mushrooms) in my superfood powders and the coffee we drink every morning. 

Long story short, these and many more adaptogenic plants and herbs help bring me back to a calmer and more adaptable state of mind during times of increased stress and help keep me calmer and more grounded during normal everyday life. As I’ve mentioned before, if you make it too complicated, you won’t stick to it. I’ve found ways to incorporate these guys into things I was already doing and so far so good! Happy adaptogen hunting! 

Until next time!

Amber