My top 4 Adaptogens For Stress and Burn Out

Fatigue is one of the most common complaints I see in patients today. 

Technology has made our lives easier and efficient.  However, this seems to be backfiring and we no longer know how to live a life more natural to our biology. 

We need nature, but nature is "too dirty", or too inconvenient.  

We lack sunshine, social connection, sleep, and may have stunted our spirituality in the hustle of modern living.  

Stress is big, and while willpower and deadlines may give us enough adrenalin boost to keep us going for a while, too much of this can lead to a burn out and we get sick easily, often, and feel like we need a coffee to even get out of bed in the morning.

How can we help once this point has been reached?

While the root cause is to exert changes in the lifestyle and philosophies with which we lead our lives, we often need a safe temporary measure til we get our act together.  

Besides ensuring your nutrients are adequately topped up, what else can you do? 

Introducing...adaptogens!  

Adaptogens

Adaptogens are a unique class of healing plants that helps human body to adapt, particularly to stress.  Apart from relieving stress and burn out, adaptogens are involved in boosting immune system, managing healthy weight, increasing mental focus and encouraging a balanced mood.

Traditional chinese medicine physicians have a good understanding of these, and their particular usages, and western herbalists are now realising the value of them.

How do Adaptogens Work?

Adaptogens work by regulating certain important hormones especially cortisol and cortisone that help balance, restore and protect the body. They are great equalizers with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant nature. These healing plants respond to stress in a way that they can recharge our adrenal glands and normalize the levels of stress hormones. 

My favourite herbs are...

Withania somnifera

Common name: Ashwagandha (literal meaning “smell of horse”)
Properties: Immune tonic, fertility tonic, nervine relaxant, antispasmodic
Role of Ashwagandha: it is one of the most important ayurvedic herbs with the greatest ability to reduce cortisol.  This healing herb is famous for being a nervine relaxant, relieving human body from anxiety, insomnia and depression. Its is an iron rich adaptogens and helps women during their heavy menstruation. It also serves as a uterine tonic for ladies in Africa.

Ocimum sanctum

Common name: Holy basil or Tulsi (meaning “the incomparable one”)
Properties: Nervine, immune system tonic, antioxidant, antiviral, carminative (gas reliever), diuretic, expectorant

Role of Holy Basil: Studies suggest that basil helps you fight fatigue, anxiety and stress. As well as boost your immune system, stabilize blood glucose level, blood pressure and hormone levels. In India, it is commonly consumed as a tea known as “tulsi tea” and is famous as an elixir of anti-aging. It is also recommended as an expectorant for bronchitis and to ease stomach upset and vomiting.

Panax ginseng

Common name: Asian Ginseng (meaning “panacea” or “cure-all”)
Properties: Nervine, immune system tonic, antioxidant, antidepressant, increase cognitive performance, sleep tonic

Role of Asian Ginseng: Being the most popular herbal adaptogen, ginseng is considered as the king of ayurvedic herbs. According to research, Asian ginseng is use for improving mental health and the ability to cope with stress. Apart from dealing with stress, it can help in improving mood, fight insomnia, lowering the blood pressure and sugar levels etc.

Rhodiola rosea

Common name: Arctic root or Golden root (means, it is found mainly in cold regions of the world)

Properties: Antiviral, nervine, immune stimulant, heart tonic, neuroprotectant, weight loss agent
Role of Arctic Root: Arctic root contains a phytochemical known as “salidroside” which helps relieve anxiety and combat aging. It is known to suppresses the production of stress hormone, cortisol and provides a buffer to stress-related mental and physical fatigue. Furthermore, this healing herb restores normal patterns of eating and sleeping after stress and protects against oxidative stress.

Book a consult to start healing from stress and fatigue!