“A fundamental principle of life lies in adaptability. With everything in constant flux, every living being must constantly be adapting so as to harmonize with its environment.” Ron Teeguarden

Adaptogenic or adaptogen herbs are multiple functions herbs for strength, stamina and stress relief. They don’t have only one specific function. They have been used for thousands of years, in some places they have been consumed as a daily brew for health, wellbeing, and longevity as they naturally restore and keep the body balanced by responding to the stressors that cause imbalances to our bodies by allowing our body to naturally regulate itself by transforming over-activity or under-activity into optimal state.

They are used for physical, mental and emotional balance.

To be considered an adaptogen the herb has to satisfy 3 criteria:

It has to be safe and non-toxic.

It has to have a multi-function healing action.

It has to have a balancing effect. By bringing the organ or gland into an optimal state of functioning by helping it adapt to the environment and increase its ability to shield from stress and environmental harm.

Russian scientist Lazarev coined the term “adaptogen” in 1947 defining it as a mechanism that “allows a living organism to counteract any adverse physical, chemical or biological stress factors by generating no specific resistance and thus becoming adapted to the diversity demands imposed on it”

Benefits of adaptogens

Have no negative long-term side effects.

Boost immune system.

Increase metabolism.

Build vital organ strength.

Nourishes and strengths the nerves.

Improve energy levels, emotional stability, and mental clarity.

Hormone Balance.

Restore optimal health.

Increase lifespan.

Top adaptogen herbs

In no particular order. Click on the name for videos with relevant information.

MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS

Reishi

Chaga

Lions Mane

Maitake

Turkey Tail

Cordyceps

Agaricus Blazei

Shiitake

Please note that some mushrooms are toxic when ingested raw, however when cooked they lose their toxicity.

HERBS & FRUITS

Fo-ti, Ho Shou Wu, He Shou Wu

Rehmannia

Astragalus root

Rhodiola Rosea

Goji berries

Schizandra

Gotu Kola

Shilajit

Amla

Shatavari, Asparagus Root

Ashwagandha

Holy basil (Tulsi)

Mucuna Pruriens

Maca

Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)

Ginseng

Licorice root

Ginkgo Biloba

Noni fruit

Pine pollen

When buying herbs and herbal supplements, please remember to always buy high-quality products.

Many herbal supplements in the market are full of fillings that’s why you can’t see the desired results. So, if you find a supplier that has high-quality products stick with it!

I have been using herbs for a very long time and I can share with you 3 experiences:

1) Back in 2013, my son brought a nasty flu from school. His dad was the first being affected and went to the doctor. The doctor gave him antibiotic which he took for about a week.

Just a couple of days later I was the one getting it. I took a mix of:

1tsp of Turmeric powder

1tsp of Ginger powder

1tsp of Honey

All mixed with a little bit of hot water until a thick paste is formed and then added the juice of half a lemon.

I took this mixture 3 times a day for about 5 days and I was healed.

Then my husband got the same nasty flu again, I refer to it as nasty because never in my life I got something so strong that threw me in bed unable to function!

This time my husband agreed to take my medicine and voila! After 5 days he was like new. When he got it again I started taking the mixture once in the morning for prevention.

Until today, never again I got sick. This is mainly due to my healthy lifestyle. To me, prevention is the best remedy.

2) In 2016 I was/still am dealing with some extra weight so I went to my doctor for some tests.

When the results came back I had an under-functioning thyroid. I did some research and Ashwagandha came up as the number one herb for thyroid and as Ashwagandha is an adaptogen herb, it would work in any thyroid disorder. So I took a high-quality Ashwagandha in form of capsules and in less than 2 months my thyroid was regulated. With blood test results.

Back in 2013, I went raw vegan for six months, this is not a diet that works for everyone. It certainly didn’t work for me. I was UK waist size 8 and after the six months, I had to switch my diet again because all of a sudden I was wearing a size 14.

I have done EVERYTHING I could possibly do to lose that fat;

I tried detox, followed by colonic hydrotherapy, and a strict diet with no C.R.A.P. – Carbs, Refined sugar (or any sugar for that matter), Artificial Flavourings & Alcohol, Processed Foods.

I did local laser treatments.

Some exercise.

Supplements specifically for weight loss, a bunch of them, one at the time and for a while.

NONE WORKED.

I’ve managed to move to a size 12 but kept feeling bloated. The raw vegan diet gave me an IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome). Don’t let anyone tell you what diet is the best for you, instead listen to your body and act accordingly.

3) I have been having memory issues for a very long time and the problem was just getting worse, especially after a deep depression I got some years ago.

After watching a series called Awakening From Alzheimer’s, where I heard for the first time about Rhodiola, I started taking it, from the same supplier I got my Ashwagandha from, and in less than 2 weeks I saw amazing results!

Now, I’ve made a mistake, when I bought my Rhodiola I wanted to have two different dosages and my supplier only had one available. So I bought a different, supposedly higher dosage, from another supplier. That way I would start with a lower dosage, increase it and then reduce it again… The second supplement didn’t have the same quality and that is something that you can know when you learn to listen to your body.

It is very important to detox our body so we can listen to it. The body will always find a way to tell you when something isn’t right.

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