WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ADAPTOGENS
If you're the type of person who runs away when someone starts talking about quitting coffee, can't remember the last time you slept more than 6 hours straight, starts having uncontrollable cravings for anything (I emphasize, anything!) sweet at 3 pm, or feels stressed and anxious quite often, this post is for you! It's time to learn what adaptogens are and how to use them.
Adaptogens are molecules, usually derived from plants, that function at the neuro-hormonal level. Imagine a thermostat that, when it starts to get too hot, activates the cooling function, and when it gets too cold, activates the heating function. In this case, adaptogens sensitize or not the cells in the body and help it improve its ability to cope with physical, mental, and environmental changes by supporting balance and promoting internal homeostasis. They are like that daily meditation that you know will do you so much good, but without having to sit down and meditate.
But what does this have to do with your double espressos, never-ending work, or obsession with croissants from the corner café? Everything . The constant combination of stress, caffeine, sugar, and lack of a good night's sleep keeps stress levels constantly high, causing your body to be in a state of constant alert. Eventually, the system "burns out," and adrenal fatigue (a disorder caused by the exhaustion of the adrenal glands , whose most frequent symptoms are physical, mental, and emotional fatigue, and which may not disappear with rest) begins to take over. Then follows chronic fatigue , constant hunger , and unexplained weight gain —and suddenly feeling good in our bodies seems such a distant sensation that sometimes we even give up hope that it will ever happen again.
And the Universe gave us the power of adaptogens . Remember the thermostat analogy? When your body starts to get out of control after a particularly exhausting workday, and when stress becomes chronic, there's a decrease in cortisol. This decrease leads to adrenal fatigue. Adaptogens help balance acute stress , which is very likely chronic nowadays. They calm and nourish the adrenal glands so they can stop functioning in "high-risk" mode. The wonder of adaptogens is that they not only have the power to relieve stress , but also stabilize a wide variety of things, from... blood sugar levels, hormones, and blood pressure.
Adaptogens are those nights of 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep, that restorative yoga class, your favorite massage, and countless hours soaking in candlelit baths – but this time you're benefiting your inner self!
How do you know which adaptogen is right for you?
What do you need?
ENERGY
STRESS & ANXIETY
CONCENTRATION & PRODUCTIVITY
Strengthen skin, hair and nails.
HUMOR & IMMUNITY
How and how much to take:
Adaptogens are medicinal plants that are most often available in powder form. This makes them easy to add to a drink, smoothie , or other delicious recipe.
They must be taken daily to be effective. Some people feel the effects after a few minutes; others, with more chronic problems that have lasted for years, need about 2 to 3 months for the adaptogens to work—clearing the past and rebuilding a healthier system.
Body, Beauty and Mind Tonic
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1 teaspoon of Maca
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1 teaspoon of CALM
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1 teaspoon of Cordyceps
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1 cup of plant-based milk of your choice
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Sweeten to taste, if desired.
Heat the milk. Place it in a blender and add a pinch of vanilla if desired. Combine all the ingredients above and blend until well mixed. Drink and feel more powerful!