Herbalize & Replenish

I have been on a path recently of what some people call "the rat race". I am well aware that I need to slow down, with the constant tumbling thought, "I'm almost there". The holidays do this to us. We can find ourselves becoming stressed. This in turn will put our nervous system into a "fight or flight" response. When we are in this response for too long, we become run down or burnt out. It has been shown this has a domino effect on the body leaving it out of balance and weakens our immune system. So today I am reminding myself as well as others to slow down, ground ourselves, and care for our body & mind.

I always see ads now for "supporting the immune system" "boosting the immune system" and not enough people talking about CARING for our physical bodies and mind. While the push for constantly supporting the immune system is great, it leaves us with this subconscious fear of becoming sick. Let's not forget that it IS ok to get sick sometimes and allow the immune system to fight off and become strong on its own. No matter the circumstances, I know that we all could use a little TLC physically and mentally...especially around the holidays!

So how do we care for our bodies/minds? Taking baths, relaxing, online shopping, or hiking out to the woods are great. However, I'm talking about herbs! Adaptogen herbs specifically. Adaptogen herbs help the body adapt to stress, mainly by supporting the production of stress related neurotransmitters and hormones. These herbs are often called modulating, referencing to the fact that they can increase or decrease the function of any particular system based on what the body needs most! Adaptogens will help you feel less stressed while increasing your energy levels; some are zippy, while others are more balancing and calming.

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*General Caution* Stimulating herbs are always better taken at the beginning of your day. More is NOT better here. Use caution when using in a body that is already overstimulated. I personally wouldn’t take these because being a mother, I am constantly overstimulated. However, my husband would do great with these because he is naturally calm. These adaptogens can aggravate anxiety, insomnia, hypertension, and heart palpitations in some people. Do not use them during pregnancy without a professional’s supervision. They may interact with some medications. Adaptogens are broken into three categories. Stimulating, balancing, and calming.

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Stimulating adaptogens are the most potent source of physical and mental energy. Think of when we are feeling completely depleted, deficient, and depressed.

Ginseng

A tradition Chinese medicine used for more than 2,000 years. It has so many benefits, which is why it is now overused. May be taken in any form. Standard dosing applies (see Chart below).

Benefits of Ginseng:

- protects the liver from toxins,

- may balance blood sugar in diabetes,

- may aid in depression, and much more.

Eleuthero

One of the best researched adaptogens and a favorite for relieving stress and building energy. They found that eleuthero significantly improved the response to physical and mental stressors, including loud noises, temperature fluctuations, and increase workload. People taking eleuthero were shown to have a better performance, health, and vitality under stressful conditions. Standard herb dose (see chart below).

Benefits of Eleuthero:

- Immune system function

- Lifts depression

- Protects the liver from toxins

- Improves overall health

*Cautions and Considerations* High doses (4.5 – 6 mL of liquid extract 1-2 times per day) tend to raise blood pressure. In low to moderate does, it has a more beneficial modulating effect, reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension, raising it in people with hypotension.

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Balancing adaptogens provide stress support for a broad spectrum of people and conditions. They simultaneously energize and calm.

Ashwagandha

A nutty-aromatic root that reportedly gives you the strength and vitality of a horse. This herb can be simmered in milk, and this fatty delivery system may increase benefits for the fat-lined nervous system. My kids love it blended into warm milk with cocoa!

Benefits of Ashwagandha Root

- strength and vitality

- nourishes and strengthens nervous, adrenal, & thyroid

- immune function while

- decreasing inflammation.

Classic uses of this herb are for relieving pain, promoting vigor, relieving anxiety and PTSD. Despite many energizing effects, it's also used as a sleep aid!

*Cautions and Considerations* Ashwagandha is generally safe. Watch for rare herb-drug interactions, and don’t use it during pregnancy without consulting without a professional’s supervision. If you react negatively to nightshade plants like potatoes and tomatoes, approach ashwagandha (a relative) cautiously.

Schizandra

Also known as wu wei or “five flavor fruit”. This berry taste simultaneously sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and pungent. You either love it or you hate it. Due to the multifaceted flavor, this means it is a balancing, tonic herb for almost any person. This may be used in any form, in standard herb doses (see chart below).

Schizandra Benefits:

- Sleep aid

- Pleasant dreams

- Energy

- Vitality

- Cognition

- Mood

- Liver detoxification while protecting & healing the liver

- Immune function

- Reproductive tonic

- Supports balancing hormones

*Cautions and Considerations* Schizandra stimulated digestion, which may be inappropriate in cases of acute ulcer, reflux, or gastritis. Its liver detoxification actions may affect drug metabolism (inhibiting CYP3A4).

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Calming adaptogens are my go-to herbs to the children. These herbs have a calming and anxiety relief effect. Calming adaptogens are great to use when trying to avoid daytime sleepiness.

Holy Basil

Or tulsi, is a potent aromatic herb that elicits a Zen-like state of being. It has gained loots of popularity over the last decade for its ability calm and energize, relieve anxiety and grief, and balance cortisol and blood sugar levels.

Holy Basil Benefits:

- A great protector

- Improves immunes health

- Strengthens digestion

- Anti-inflammatory

- Decreases inflammation response

- -protects against radiation to some degree

- Helps on an emotional level when feeling hopeless

- Helps us to be more in tune with the world

*Cautions and Considerations* Generally quite safe, but don’t use it during pregnancy without a professional’s supervision. Rarely it aggravates reflux.

Gotu Kola

Is the supposed great cause to the elephants great memory. Gotu Kola has brain boosting benefits. Preliminary research suggests that gotu kola increases mental function. Can be taken in any form. Standard herb doses apply (see chart below).

Gotu Kola Benefits:

- Quells anxiety

- Improves circulation throughout the body & brain

- For healing and strengthening connective tissue, collagen, and the lining of the vascular system

- Great for scar or wound ointment

*Cautions and Considerations* Use organic or grow it yourself. Don’t use during pregnancy without a practitioner’s supervision

At the end of this all, it’s critical to make sure were living a balanced lifestyle by eating a healthy diet, making sure to get enough exercise and rest within a day, as well as taking our adaptogen herbs to support our endocrine system.

Happy Healing!

Love & Light

-Kelly