Adaptogens

We are a stressed society, and an over-medicated society. We are a processed-foods society, and an over-caffeinated society. Many people are turning this pattern around, realising that all of the coffee and frozen dinners and cereal and prescription fixes are easily abandoned with an entirely natural solution: superherbs.

“More than ever, people are [researching] the detrimental effects of taking synthetic pharmaceuticals and consuming processed foods, says holistic health coach Annie Lawless. “People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. The body is not designed to digest, assimilate, and eliminate chemicals, and it simply cannot. When these toxic wastes and their byproducts are stuck in the body, they create disease and imbalance. Taking a pill may mask the symptoms of certain ailments, but it does nothing to treat the ailment itself. The body is still suffering despite the fact that the resulting superficial pain has been quieted, and it is important to dig deeper and treat the real reason for the pain, not just the pain itself.

Enter superherbs, also known as adaptogens. These natural substances support the adrenal system -- that is, the stress-response system -- to manage hormones and reduce strain on the body and mind. They are able to adapt to the needs of your body -- balancing your hormones, whether too low or too high -- and eliminate toxicity that has built up in your cells over time. Adaptogens help the cells access more energy and oxygen, allowing you to be more alert (and less anxious), without any added caffeine, sweets, or drugs.

As Lawless puts it, superherbs treat the body like one complete organism, whereas most medications treat one specific ailment, or target a single body part.

“The body is almost always in disarray systematically in a number of ways, and treating it as one total and connected unit is the best way to restore balance and vitality, she says.

Adaptogens aren’t new. They’ve been used in Eastern medicine for hundreds of years, and are finally getting noticed in the Western world. Check your local health/natural foods store, or talk to a holistic nutritionist about which ones are best from you, and where to find the highest-quality herbs. They are often sold as a powder, making them easy to blend into a drink, or to stir into a tea. You can also buy formulas that combine numerous adaptogens, a superherb superblend, if you will.

Here are the adaptogens that Lawless most often suggests to her clients:

Astragalus
“Astragalus is an adaptogen that protects the body from physical, mental, and emotional stress. It benefits the immune system, heart, and liver, and is currently under scientific study for its use as a treatment for cancer. Taking astragalus long-term prevents colds and allergy symptoms during seasonal episodes.

Rhodiola
“The medicinal components of the succulent rhodiola are found in its thick root. It is a great adaptogen for mental stress and memory issues. Not only can it help with brain fog, but it also reduces stress by boosting endorphins. In animal studies, it has been shown to lower blood pressure, slow heart rate, and normalize heart rhythm. Rhodiola is also a powerful antioxidant that reduces cell damage.

Via : https://boutder.blogspot.com