Face everything with adaptogens

We are living through difficult times due to the pandemic, which requires us to adapt quickly to changes in habits and customs, stress, emotional tension, fear...

Lately, I often hear people say, "I'm overwhelmed by current circumstances." If this stress persists—generating anxiety, nervousness, or exhaustion—it can lead to changes in the body that diminish our vitality.

In addition to adopting a healthy lifestyle and other stress management techniques, we can rely on adaptogens, a group of plants including roots, berries, and fungi, that work and adapt to the body's needs and improve the health of the adrenal system responsible for controlling the body's hormonal response to stress.

Consuming these adaptogenic plants can help us better manage stress and periods of imbalance. Three of them—Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and Schisandra—promote balance in the body.

Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) . Increasingly well-known in the West, this medicinal root, also called Indian Ginseng, has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine for its invigorating properties and its ability to support immunity.

Interestingly, its botanical name means "restful sleep," and it is precisely this restorative function of Ashwagandha that helps the body cope with difficult situations and find the balance so necessary to strengthen the immune system. People who use it regularly are said to have "energy like a horse," as it not only prepares them to face life's stressors but also improves stamina and sexual health. It is rich in antioxidants, which protect against oxidative damage, and in iron, making it a good option for people with anemia. Its four main functions are:

• Calming: reduces stress and induces sleep
• Invigorating: increases libido and fertility in both women and men
• Restorative: increases energy and strength
• Immune stimulant

Ashwagandha is also the only adaptogen that has been found to have a stimulating effect on the thyroid.

Precautions: Not recommended for use if you are taking immunosuppressants or medications for nervous disorders. Also not recommended during pregnancy.

Rhodiola ( Rhodiola rosea ). This plant, capable of growing in the harshest regions of the Arctic (Canada, Tibet, Siberia, Scandinavia), has been used for centuries for its ability to improve both physical and mental stamina. It reduces the symptoms of fatigue and is useful for treating and preventing immune system depletion.

It's a great ally for athletes because it optimizes performance, as well as recovery after intense exercise. As an adaptogenic plant, it helps control stress by reducing the secretion of cortisol (the stress hormone) and is balancing; it can calm and stimulate emotionally and cognitively, depending on each person's needs. It improves the brain's oxygen absorption capacity and increases serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood, sleep, and appetite. It's also very useful for students, as it helps improve memory and provides mental clarity. Its four main functions are:

• Stimulant: helps improve immunity and reduce fatigue
• Balancing: on an emotional and cognitive level
• Increases stamina: good for athletes and students
• Promotes well-being: increases serotonin levels and reduces cortisol secretion

Note: This product is not recommended for those currently taking antidepressants. It is also not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children.

Schisandra ( Schisandra chinensis ). Schisandra is native to China, Russia, and parts of Korea. Distinguished in China as the "fruit of five flavors"—salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter—it was very popular for its ability to preserve beauty and youth, and to balance yin and yang. Interestingly, Russian hunters used it as a tea to combat fatigue.

The red berries of the Schisandra plant are used, a source of vitamin C, with a balancing effect and immune-supporting properties. It also has a balancing effect on the endocrine system and helps nourish the blood; it raises or lowers blood pressure, depending on individual needs. As an adaptogenic berry, it is calming, relieves anxiety, and improves concentration. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and heavy metal detoxifying properties. Its four main functions are:

• Immune stimulant
• Calming: helps improve stress and anxiety
• Antioxidant: improves skin health and appearance
• Improves concentration

Note: Its consumption is not recommended for people with high blood pressure and behavioral disorders, as well as for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

These three adaptogenic plants can provide the necessary balance in times of change, tension and stress, on an emotional, mental and physical level.

They can be found in tablet, capsule, or powder form. The powder format is perfect for adding to your shakes, smoothies, juices, or Buddha bowls, and it will also allow you to discover the aroma, flavor, and texture of each one—a perfect way to get closer to these wonderful plants.