Adaptogens

Have you been feeling a bit sluggish lately?  Not quite up to speed?  Maybe a little stressed?  Consider adding adaptogens into your daily diet.

What are adaptogens?  Adaptogens are superfoods, including herbs, that work with your body to combat such ailments as energy loss, stress, and anxiety to name a few.  They have been around for thousands of years primarily used in Eastern Chinese medicine.  They’ve only recently started to become more widely known in the western countries.

In college I was part of a Scholar Laureate program that traveled to China to study the differences between eastern and western medicine.  This was easily the most fascinating thing I’ve experienced in my life even to this day.  It was great to see how Chinese medicine approaches illness from a holistic standpoint.  Now to be fair, they did still practice western medicine as well.  Their hospitals are split into eastern and western medicine wings.  It’s the individual’s choice which they use to treat their illness.   Pharmacies containing both medications as well as herbs for patients to pick up.

Hospitals weren’t the only place you could find these adaptogens and other natural substances.  There were markets all over that you could find large sacks full of various herbs to choose from.  They were unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.  Many people I watched came and knew exactly what they needed.  Others would seek assistance from those working explaining what the were looking to treat.  The worker would direct them to the correct herb or herbs, how much they needed, and how to prepare it.  How incredible would that be to have something like that here in the states?

I practice using adaptogens in my everyday life.  Here are a few ideas of which to try if you’re looking to incorporate them as well.

Maca: likely the most popular of adaptogens.  Maca is high in vitamins B, C and E and helps to balance hormone levels and increase energy.  It’s also great for pre- or post workouts as it can help build muscle and increase strength.

Ginseng: something you’ve probably heard of before.  Ginseng boosts brain function as well as helps with anxiety and depression.

Elderberry: this is a great one to incorporate since cold and flu season is starting soon.  I take elderberry when I’m sick and notice my cold symptoms subside quickly.  Among treating cold and flu symptoms, elderberry also improves inflammation and allergies.

Schisandra: for all those beauty queens out there (aka all of us aging mothers who are trying to ward off all of the wrinkles and laugh lines our kids bless us with), Schisandra is for you.  Packed full of vitamins C, E, and antioxidants this adaptogen is great for anti-aging.  It’s also known for boosting the immune system.

I find incorporating adaptogens, along with some collagen, into my baked goods is a great way to get them into everyone in my home.  Baking them also leaves them tasteless.  Another way would be blending them into a morning smoothie or chia pudding.  Remember to do your research to see what is right for you.  Adding a small amount of one specific adaptogen at a time, much like introducing food to infants, will help your body adjust slowly as well as help you determine if any adaptogen isn’t right for you.