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*ADAPTOGENS

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What the heck are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are a unique class of herbs that have been scientifically proven to help the body adapt to stress of all kinds, physical, emotional and environmental.

They both enhance the body’s response to stress and minimize the damage caused by stress.

How does this translate to how you feel? When your body is less taxed with fighting stress, you feel more energized and feel more like your amazing self! 

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*Organic Reishi

Has been called the mushroom of immortality. Best-known for effects in boosting the immune system and cancer fighting properties. Enhances immune system, reduces stress, improves sleep, lessens fatigue, improves liver function, produces anti-inflammatory effect in the body.

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*Organic He Shou Wu

Tonify and nourishes the blood, hair, skin, nervous system, sexual center, Shen (Spirit), and Jing (primary essence/life force). Supports healthy aging and treating conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Protects the brain and stimulates healthy function of endocrine glands, improves stamina. Promotes red blood cells, enhances immune function & increases antioxidant activity.

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*Organic Ashwagandha

Reduces stress and the effects of mental, emotional, and physical stress and GABA-like anti-anxiety activity. Regulates cortisol levels, boosts immune system, inncreases the body's levels of Super Oxide Dismutase.

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*Organic Eleuthero Root

Invigorates the qi (chi or energy), strengthen and nourish the spleen and kidney and to balance vital energy. Increases energy and reduces fatigue, improves cognitive function, helps balance hormones. Enhances exercise, helps in preventing ulcers and healing wounds.​

 

*Organic Cinnamon

Aids nutrient absorbtion, promotes circulation, boosts metabolism, improves digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels. It is a master antioxidant, loaded with protective antioxidants that reduce free radical damage and slow down the ageing process. These antioxidants help limit the nitric oxide build-up in the blood and prevent fat peroxidation, preventing disease. Helps body fight infections and repair tissue damaging agents. Reduces systemic inflammation, arthritis pain and headaches. 

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Our incredible plant friends aren’t like other herbs. To be a true adaptogen there are strict criteria that need to be met. We like to call them the 4 N’s of adaptogens:

1. Non-toxic - they must have no ill effects at normal therapeutic doses

2. Non-specific - they must work holistically in the body

3. Normalizing - they must have a normalizing effect on the body - helps the body regain homeostasis and reach balance

4. Neuroendocrine - they must have an influence on our neuroendocrine system, specifically either the HPA or SAS (the two stress response systems of the body)

 

What do they do to your body?

Adaptogens help the body adapt to stress, but HOW do they do this?

Adaptogens work closely with the body’s two main stress response systems: the HPA axis (Hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis) and SAS (sympathoadrenal System).

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They tone these systems by lightly mimicking stress in the body while not adding to the allostatic load, making them a eustressor, a beneficial form of stress (like saunas or moderate exercise!). They also re-balance cortisol levels by making the hypothalamus more sensitive to hormonal feedback once the body has set into motion it’s stress response.

Most interestingly, Adaptogens work bi-directionally! This fascinating phenomenon means that they can determine what each individual body needs to be brought back into balance, so each person will experience them slightly differently!

 

Why are they better taken over time?

While you'll feel some adaptogens the first time you take them, these herbs have a cumulative effect – the longer you take them the better. Sometimes it takes several weeks to really notice a shift.

When we workout our muscles, we may feel more fit in the moment but we know that long term exercise will build that lasting strength and endurance. Similarly, drinking adaptogens daily is building up the endurance and quality of your stress responses by toning the body’s stress response systems and enhancing the body’s ability to react properly to other, more serious stressors.

This daily and long-term use builds up an adaptive energy reserve to temper the body’s initial reaction to a stressor (also known as the alarm phase). Put simply: The more reserves you have to pull from, the quicker your body can adapt to changing environments, regain balance and ultimately, avoid exhaustion all together.

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Thank you: https://wearerasa.com/blogs/news/what-the-heck-are-adaptogens

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