Adaptogens: The Super Powders
If you follow me on social media, then you know I’m all about the herbs! I started my herbal journal by introducing adaptogens into my diet. If you have never heard of or used adaptogens, you might be missing out! Honestly, I can’t remember exactly when I was introduced to them, but they have been a game-changer for me. You’ll recall that I birthed Connectic Fitness from my quest for a more organic way to manage my anxiety. Anxiety was the catalyst for my fitness journey. In a dark chapter in my life, I was suffering from anxiety and depression; taking two or three medications to get through the day. Then one day, I finally decided I could no longer live that way. I started incorporating exercise into my daily routine. Not long after, good eating habits began to follow. I suddenly had the epiphany, “wow, everything you put into your body affects what comes out,” and I don’t just mean in the bathroom. I knew how I wanted to feel because the medicine I was on made me feel that way. So I started researching what the active ingredients in my medications were. Some of the medications I was taking are part of the benzodiazepine family. In plain English, they were sedatives. Then, the real challenge was how I could find natural sedatives that worked as well as the prescribed medicines. My research led me straight to adaptogens.
Let me preface everything that I am about to say with “herbs and herbal remedies work for me, but you’re not me. I have researched and incorporated herbs into my diet as a personal decision to navigate my health and wellness. While I am an herb advocate, I advise everyone to explore for themselves and decide if it is right for you. I do not recommend under any circumstances that you discontinue any medications prescribed by your doctor without seeking medical advice and inquiring if the herbs you are thinking about incorporating into your diet and lifestyle will interfere with your current medications or evaluate any possible risks or side effects.
There is no way I can thoroughly explain adaptogens in one blog post. So, I’ll sum them up with someone else’s words. Katrine van Wyk says in her book entitled “Super Powders” that “adaptogens are a group of intelligent plants that work with the body. Instead of giving the body “fake” energy surges, the way coffee or sugar does, adaptogens improve the health of your adrenal system which is the system that is in charge of managing your body’s hormonal response to stress. Quickly summed up: adaptogens help your body better adapt to stress.” That is the most fundamental distinction. While numerous herbs can be used for all sorts of things, adaptogens are unique because they help keep your adrenal system from overworking. An over functioning adrenal system is the leading cause of many dysfunctions we see and feel in our bodies. For more on this subject, go check out my website Connectic Fitness and go to my call to action page and read my post entitled “The Good Goods.”
Adaptogens have been a lifesaver for me in my journey. I now incorporate various adaptogens into my daily diet to aid in managing my anxiety disorder. Some I take to ward off panic attacks, others I add to my night-time tea to sleep better. Either way, you go, you can’t go wrong with adding some adaptogens into your healthy lifestyle. But first, educate yourself! I can’t stress that enough. Then start incorporating herbs in small doses, be mindful of any changes or reactions you might have. Use this opportunity to get to know your body and find ways to nurture it. So, what is your adaptogen? Take a look and find adaptogens that may be right for you. I am sure you will be glad you did!
To hear me talk more about adaptogens listen to me on The Jealous Vegan podcast Episode 74 -Activate your super powders.