If you have opened your Instagram account lately, you will likely come across an influencer chatting about adaptogens. If you were like me, when I first saw them I had no idea what the word adaptogen meant.
What are adaptogens?
Adaptogens encompass a wide variety of different natural medicines but share something in common. They are completely safe and they have a balancing effect on the body called the hypothalamic-pituitary-endocrine axis. In other words, this is a balance your body likes to achieve between your brain and your body’s hormone system.
How do you use them?
There are a couple ways you can use adaptogens in your life. Adaptogens work wonderfully by themselves or synergistically with other complementary adaptogens. To incorporate them into your daily routine, you can mix them into your morning coffee, blend them into your daily smoothie, froth them into your match latte, or create an elixir to name a few ways.
When trying out adaptogens it is important to pay attention to how they make you feel. Just like many supplements, everyone is different so you could completely react differently than the next person.
What are some specific adaptogens?
Here are some of the more popular ones popping up more and more.
Ashwagandha is the ultimate cortisol balancer. Since adaptogens are balancing in nature, ashwagandha, in particular, is great at boosting those stubborn sluggish thyroid hormones.
Reishi is the mushroom helps to lower blood sugar levels.
Chaga is the mushroom that has powerful antiviral effects. Chaga also does well as having immune-balancing properties.
He shou wu is the sex herb. He shou wu helps to increase sex drive in those with low libidos.
You can find adaptogens through more popular brands like Sun Potion and Four Sigmatic.
Which adaptogen have you tried or curious to try?
