We all experience days where we feel so exhausted that we just can’t show up for anyone–including ourselves. The stress and fatigue can be very real and no amount of coffee, chocolate, or sugar is going to change that.
There’s nothing worse than feeling completely drained and rundown– knowing there’s so much more you want to get done.
But on days like this, there is another way to get the energy boost you’re looking for. Without giving in to any of the unhealthy food and energy drink options out there.
I’m talking about adaptogens.
I’m a huge fan of using adaptogenic herbs because they give me the energy I need every day (sans the crash!). Plus, many of these herbs are also extremely helpful for balancing hormones throughout the perimenopause and menopause transitions.
All adaptogens are jam-packed with benefits, but today, I want to share the top 5 super-potent adaptogenic herbs that have saved me time and time again. And in a pinch, they can change your day, too.
They can even enhance your life overall!
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens– or adaptogenic herbs– are plants that increase your body’s resistance to stress. They work to calm the body’s stress response system so you aren’t quick to upregulate it when a stressful situation presents itself.
Adaptogenic herbs keep you from releasing excess amounts of cortisol and adrenaline– both of which can lead to chronic stress over time if constantly released. We can find adaptogens in a lot of drinks and supplements.
Adaptogenic herbs combat fatigue, enhance mental performance, ease depression and anxiety, and help you thrive.
Your overall health can be boosted with adaptogenic herbs. They help people with
- Mental and physical fatigue that comes with stress
- Pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Sleep problems
- Hormonal imbalances that affect the nervous system
In a nutshell, adaptogenic herbs increase mental work capacity, enhance attention, and prevent stress and fatigue.
I’m telling you, the benefits of these herbs are life-changing.
So let’s get into my 5 favorite adaptogenic herbs, and how they can work to enhance your health and well-being.
- Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is one of my favorite adaptogenic herbs because of its calming effect. It works in the body by reducing cortisol– lowering anxiety and depression.
It’s a relaxant, but it also works to make you energized and focused. It’s a great solution for brain fog. Plus Ashwagandha reduces stress.
Research finds that overwhelmed and exhausted adults taking 250-600mg of Ashwagandha each day for eight weeks saw a significant reduction in cortisol and stress levels, as well as a great improvement in sleep quality.
As an anti-inflammatory, ashwagandha is extremely helpful during perimenopause and menopause, when systemic inflammation levels can rise.
And, because Ashwagandha lowers cortisol levels, it helps with insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control. This makes you less inclined to store fat, especially belly fat.
My recommended dosage to start is around 200-250mg. My Adrenal Love blend contains just the right amount of Ashwagandha, plus a few other amazing herbs we’ll get into shortly.
- Holy Basil
Holy Basil –known as tulsi– is another calming and relaxing adaptogenic herb. It can promote a healthy body and mind.
Holy Basil can:
- Combat stress
- Improve blood sugar stability
- Act as a powerful antioxidant
- Enhance immune system function
- Reduce anxiety, depression, and poor sleep
Holy Basil benefits overall metabolic health. Recent studies tell us that it’s an effective treatment for lifestyle-related chronic diseases including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and chronic stress.
The recommended dosage is 500mg twice a day. I have a great holy basil tea recipe in my latest book– The EO Menopause Solution.
- Rhodiola
Rhodiola is another rock star adaptogenic herb that’s incredible at combating fatigue and improving cognitive function. It’s known as the golden root and is a natural stimulant that balances our serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Research shows that Rhodiola can promote the formation of new brain cells. It also can help delay or mitigate perimenopause and menopause-related cognitive, psych, cardiovascular, and osteoporotic conditions.
These are all things women need to focus on once they hit midlife.
Rhodiola has many beneficial effects, like
- Improving concentration and alertness
- Lowering irritability and anxiety
- Helping you start firing on all cylinders within a few weeks
The recommended dosage of Rhodiola is 150-500mg per day. It’s best to take it early in the day because of its stimulating properties.
- Schisandra
Scisandra is an adaptogenic herb also known as magnolia berry. And I love it because it’s stimulating, and it boosts mental performance and endurance.
It stimulates the nervous system which improves cognition and balances serotonin and dopamine. It improves mental clarity, alertness, and energy.
It can also act as a weak form of estrogen which is great for women at the end of perimenopause and into menopause because it modulates estrogen swing and eases estrogen drama. It’s great for reducing hot flashes and night sweats!
The recommended dosage of Schisandra is 500mg to 2 grams per day of Schisandra extract– or 1.5 to 6 grams of crude Schisandra daily. As a powder, it has a great nutty flavor that goes well in coffee.
- Eleuthero
Eleuthero is sometimes called Siberian ginseng. It too acts as a stimulant, increasing nervous system function.
Some of my favorite benefits of Eleuthero are that it
- Boosts energy levels and contains compounds that help us overcome exhaustion
- Improves cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain, enhancing memory and concentration
- Reduces insulin resistance, and it’s being considered for the management of Type 2 Diabetes
- Enhances metabolism and physical performance
- Positively impacts cardiovascular health, improving blood flow and blood pressure
Similar to Rhodiolia, this adaptogenic herb can pull you out from feeling depleted and mentally exhausted, and give you the energy to start moving your body again.
How to Incorporate Adaptogenic Herbs Into Your Life
A lot of these adaptogenic herbs come as supplements you can add to your regimen. But I’ve developed an incredible supplement that has several of these energy-boosting herbs combined into one pill.
When I was considering an adrenal supplement blend that delivered real results, I needed to make sure I used adaptogens that would make a big difference. Not only in stress management but also in overall physical energy and mental clarity and alertness.
My Adrenal Love Supplement from Essentially Whole has Rhodiola, Eleuthero, and Ashwagandha. And these 3 herbs flip my bone-crushing fatigue and brain fog to help me become the best and most energized version of myself.
They gave me a win that inspired me to keep going and make more healthy changes.
As you navigate through perimenopause and menopause, you know you’re going to need all the support you can get to stay sharp and have the energy and endurance to keep doing what you love.
That’s what Adrenal Love delivers. Along with activated B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Licorice Root, and American Ginseng, this supplement was tailor-made to get you back on your feet no matter how fatigued you feel.
It supports energy production from the source. It doesn’t just mask your fatigue with a “band-aid energy high” like caffeine does.
The herbs and nutrients in Adrenal Love
- Optimize cellular energy production
- Enhance cortisol balance
- Improve metabolism
- Work with mechanisms in your body to produce more energy
I’m telling you– you’ll feel a difference in 20 to 30 days when taking Adrenal Love daily. So– if you’re ready for more sustainable energy and mental endurance, grab yourself some Adrenal Love!
Still have questions? Learn even more about my Adrenal love supplement here.
I hope you too can feel the power of these life-changing adaptogenic herbs, so you can start being the most energized and empowered version of yourself!
No comments yet.