We’re all looking for ways to feel better in our everyday lives. How to be more productive, have a deeper, more restful sleep, and how to be more present and less stressed overall. Finding balance can be difficult and there’s no magic pill that will fix all of our problems, however, there are many things we can incorporate into our diets and our lives that can lead to better overall health. Adaptogens are one of those things you may want to try. Adaptogens are plant-based supplements that target many different aspects of our health: liver health, kidney health, skin health, mental health, ocular health, heart health, cardiovascular health and the list goes one. It takes listening to our bodies to understand what areas need targeting. We must troubleshoot our health and become more in tune with what makes us thrive and feel good!

The world of adaptogens can be overwhelming so we’ve started the research process for you. Below is our beginners guide to adaptogens that may help in your health and wellness journey.

What Exactly Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are plants or herbs that can help the body resist stressors, whether physical, biological or chemical. Studies show that adaptogens can help fight anxiety, depression, fatigue and strengthen the immune system, just to name a few. As their name states, they help your body to “adapt” to all forms of stress. They are handy because exposure to stressors long term can lead to serious health concerns later in life. Adaptogens can be a great way to improve your overall health and a beginners guide to adaptogens is a great place to start your journey!

A Brief History of Adaptogens

How to Incorporate Adaptogens Into Your Lifestyle

You can easily add adaptogens to your daily routine by taking them in fresh, dried or extract forms. The extracts are found in capsule, tincture and powder forms, while dried adaptogens are available in infusions or tea. They can be added to recipes like smoothies, oatmeal, yoghurt and salad dressings for added nutrients or taken on their own. Always read and follow the labels. Not all adaptogens are compatible with one another and may counteract certain medications. Adaptogens can also be stimulating or calming, and the time of day should be taken into account when consuming. It is recommended to change the adaptogen you’re taking every 6-8 weeks, or take a break.

Thrive Remedies Beginners Guide to Adaptogens

Most commonly, you can find elderberry in supplement form, either in capsule, tincture, syrup or powder. You can also use fresh ripe berries in food and beverages to make jams, pie, juices and tea. You can take elderberry at any time of the day and multiple times a day if needed depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Thrive Remedies Defence Tea has elderberry as one of the main ingredients, along with other immune boosting herbs. It is smooth and light bodied with a flavour similar to earl grey tea. Head over to Thrive Remedies website to learn more about Defense.

Holy Basil

• Reduces Physical and Mental Stress
• Increases Endurance
• Anti-inflammatory
• Immune System Boosting
• Lowers Blood Sugar and Cholesterol
• Improves Metabolism
• Improves sleep
• Reduces symptoms of anxiety & depression

Holy Basil or Tulsi is an ancient herb that comes from a leafy plant native to Southeast Asia. Holy basil is known for its ability to reduce stress both physically and mentally. You can find Holy Basil in tea or supplement form. It is recommended to take it for up to 8 weeks, and you can take it at any time of the day.

You can find Ashwagandha in dried herb, capsule, tincture and tea form, and take it at any time of the day. It can have a calming effect, so you can take it close to bedtime. It is recommended to take it for up to 6 weeks.

Thrive Remedies Stress Tea has Holy Basil and Ashwagandha as two of the main ingredients for their anti-stress effects. It has a slightly sweet smooth flavour with uplifting notes of lavender. It will bring a sense of calm confidence to your day. Head over to Thrive Remedies website to learn more about Stress.

Passionflower

• Improves Sleep
• Reduces Anxiety
• Pain Relief
• Soothes and Upset Stomach
• Promotes Relaxation

Passion Flower is a climbing vine with beautifully coloured complex flowers on it. It comes from the southern United States, Central and South America. It is known for its ability to promote rest and relaxation. You can find passionflower in tea and supplement form. You can take it at any time of the day, but it is recommended to take it close to bedtime due to its calming effect. It is recommended to take it for up to 8 weeks.

Thrive Remedies Calm Tea has camomile and passionflower as two of the main ingredients. Calm has a full bodied flavour floral notes of rosehips, hibiscus and camomile. It will bring a sense of ease and relaxation to your day. Head over to the Thrive Remedies website to learn more about Calm.

You can most commonly find milk thistle in tincture or capsule form, but it does come in tea form as well. It can be taken at any time of the day and multiple times a day, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. It is recommended that you can take it for up to 41 months.

Thrive Remedies Detox Tea has Milk Thistle, dandelion and Chicory as three of the main ingredients. Both are known for their detoxifying effects in the body. Detox is full bodied with flavour notes of lemon, vanilla and rooibos. If you’re looking for something cleansing and refreshing, this is the tea for you. Check out our website to learn more about Detox.

Nettle Leaf

• Anti-inflammatory
• Allergy relief
• Regulates blood sugar
• Pain relief
• Treatment for UTI
• Diaretic Properties

Nettle leaf is a plant originally found in Europe, Asia and Northern Africa and now in North America and New Zealand. You can find nettle leaf in supplement and tea form or grow and harvest the leaves yourself. You can take it at any time of the day and multiple times, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Thrive Remedies Recovery Tea has nettle leaf and turmeric as two of the main ingredients because of their anti-inflammatory and immunity effects. If you’re in need of some tough love and care, this is the tea for you! It is full of flavour notes from ginger, lemon and rooibos tea. Head over to Thrive Remedies website to learn more about Recovery.

Are There Any Risks to Taking Adaptogens?

It is always recommended that you talk with your doctor before incorporating adaptogens into your diet and lifestyle. They can have harmful interactions with some prescription medications and supplements. Make sure you are buying high quality adaptogens so you are getting the full health benefits. Some manufacturers will add fillers or additives to the adaptogens. At Thrive Remedies, we use only high quality adaptogens in each of our tea blends. Always read and follow labels; some should be taken at certain times of the day, on an empty stomach and vary in dosage.

*** Disclaimer: The content on this website (Thrive Remedies) is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended or suitable in place of advice from your health care practitioner or licensed physician. The information and products on this website should not be used for diagnosing, treating, curing or preventing a health problem, you should always consult a health care provider or licensed physician for advice. ***

References:

1. Effects of Adaptogens on Central Nervous System
2. Overview on Ashwagandha
3. Review on Adaptogens
4. Modern History of Stress
5. Stress and General Adaptation Syndrome
6. Elderberry Reduces Cold Symptoms and Duration
7. Elderberry for the Treatment of Influenza
8. Overview of Elderberry
9. Antioxidant Effects of Elderberry
10. Review of Holy Basil
11. Benefits of Holy Basil
12. Ashwagandha for Anxiety
13. Passionflower for Anxiety
14. Overview of Passionflower
15. Effects of Milk Thistle on Liver Disease
16. Overview on Milk Thistle
17. Health benefits of Nettle Leaf
18. Study on Nettle Leaf
19. Overview on Nettle Leaf

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