top of page
Writer's pictureJana Janak

Adding Adaptogens to Your Daily Routine

by Jana Janak

Today many illnesses or dysfunctions are caused or made worse by stress and inflammation.


A truly holistic problem.


Reducing stress and inflammation is not an overnight process, but when they are directly addressed the results impact everyday health, wellness and performance. Adding adaptogens into your daily routine helps reduce the body's response to internal and external stressors, keeping cortisol levels lower and helping your mind-body allocate resources to rest, repair and growth.


What is an adaptogen and how does it help with stress?


An adaptogen is a plant extract that is used to increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promotes or restores normal physiological function. With consistent reduction in stress, your mind-body shifts to a state of healing and elevated performance. Digestion improves, sleep improves, immune response improves, energy improves, mood improves, detoxification improves, clarity and focus improves. We have begun adding Adaptive Cacao to our daily routine and in addition to its amazing taste, it has some incredible adaptogens that make it a powerful tool to help us deal with stress. These adaptogens are chaga, reishi, cordyceps, lions mane, and ashwaganda.


Chaga- contains over 200 phytonutrients and is commonly used in functional medicine to: .

  • Boost the immune system - Chaga regulates the production of cytokines (the immune system’s chemical messengers), thereby supporting the immune system by helping cells to communicate with one another.

  • Reduce inflammation - high fiber and anti-oxidant properties which are especially helpful in improving conditions of the gut.

  • Decrease the effects of oxidative stress - Oral administration of polysaccharides from chaga has been found to increase exercise endurance and biological measures related to fatigue and glycogen (a form of energy storage in the muscles and liver).

Reishi- is considered an adaptogen for its ability to calm the fight or flight response. It is similar to chaga because it is very diverse in benefits.

  • high anti-oxidant

  • anti-inflammatory - Reishi is additionally known for its potential benefits to the kidneys and liver by reducing inflammation.

  • anti-anxiety - strengthening resilience in both physically and mentally stressful situations.

  • immune boosting properties - Reishi has immune supporting properties which include the first line of defence in our immune system the innate immunity, intracellular immunity, and cellular immunity.

Cordyceps - is known for supporting mental and physical performance.

  • Improved athletic performance - Many athletes use cordyceps to increase ATP and VO2 (peak oxygen uptake during exercise).

  • Adrenal Support - Cordyceps is also known for supporting a healthy adrenal function, and helping to improve acute and chronic fatigue.

  • Mental Focus - it is often paired with lion’s mane to promote creative focus.

  • Anti-Oxidant- Studies have associated cordyceps supplementation as a powerful anti-oxidant as well.


Lion’s mane- has become a popular mushroom in mainstream heath care. Lion’s mane contains two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacine.

  • Brain Health- These compounds have been shown to stimulate neuro plasticity, memory, focus and overall brain health.

  • Memory and Emotional Response- Some research studies have found that lion’s mane extract can improve the functioning of the hippocampus (a region of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotional responses), which may explain it's effects on improved mood, decreasing resistance to new habit forming and influence on depression. Research is beginning to show that Lion's mane may help prevent neuron damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which is an area of interest for alzheimer's and dementia therapy.


Ashwagandha- is considered the most fundamental adaptogen with powerful balancing influence on the stress response (hypothalamus- pituitary-adrenal system or HPA axis).

  • Balancing stress response- lowers baseline stress and cortisol levels, stabilizes mood and supports sustainable energy levels.

  • Sleep- has been shown to benefit sleep quality.

  • Balance Hormones- It has also been found to help rebalance reproductive hormone levels.

  • Mental focus and Memory- One study even found that ashwagandha significantly improved participants’ attention spans, as well as their immediate and general memory.


Why has Paths In Healing teamed up with Roots Apothecary/naCHer CBD and why are we trying to bring these products to you? Stress causes inflammation and inflammation causes pain and dysfunction. Addressing stress and inflammation is at the core of Root Apothecary's product development. We also love the education they provide to their customers. Every product page has tons of information to support the reasons to use their particular product. In addition to this we have been using their products and have loved the results we get. From their CBD creams to their tinctures and drinks, we love the results we see and the results our clients have told us they have seen. Use the code PATHS to get 20% off their products today.


^These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease. Please consult with a medical professional before consuming this product if you have any medical condition.

<>If you are pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, please consult with your doctor before consuming this product. Very little, if any, research has been conducted on the safety of drinking herbal tea during pregnancy.



49 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page