Top Supplements for Stress - Adaptogens

Are you starting to feel the over-buzz of the holiday season?  Time stretched too thin?  Endless list of things to do and people to take care of? Well, you are certainly not alone.  Here are a few of my favorite natural supplements to help get you through the holiday chaos and a 10% discount on high-quality supplements. What are adaptogens? This unique class of herbs help your body ADAPT to stress by increasing your resilience and normalizing body functions.  In addition, these herbs often have other beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune supporting functions. Are you WIRED and TIRED?  Then Ashwagandha, a rejuvenating Ayurvedic herb, may be for you.  Always on the top of my list for stress, this is a calming herb that can reduce anxiety and help enhance sleep.  But, it is also helpful with fatigue and has been shown to reduce cancer-related fatigue in clinical trials.  Ashwagandha can help improve blood cell counts in those with anemia and may improve thyroid function (caution if you are on a thyroid medication).  With antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it is also traditionally used in arthritis formulas.

• Recommended Dose: 500 mg of standardized extract (2.5 % withanolides) two to three times daily

• Note: Ashwagandha may stimulate the uterus and so is not recommended in pregnancy.

Do you WORK HARD, PLAY HARD, and HARDLY SLEEP?  Then Eleuthero (AKA Siberian ginseng) may be a great choice to keep you going.  This herb can be used daily for stress and fatigue and has antioxidant, immune supporting and possibly anticancer properties.

• Recommended Dose: 250 mg of standardized extract (0.7 to 1.0% eleutherosides) two to three times daily.

• Note: Eleuthero is relatively safe, but may interfere with lab tests for digoxin.

Are you FATIGUED with MENTAL FOG or PRONE TO FREQUENT COLDS?  You might want to try the herb that Vikings once used to keep them strong on their voyages -  Rhodiola rosea AKA Arctic or golden root.  Traditionally used to increase physical performance and mental focus, it has also been used to reduce fatigue and was found in studies to help with depression and anxiety.  This may be a good choice for those with fatigue, mental fog, and depression.

• Recommended Dose: Start at a lower dose 150-250 mg/day of a standardized extract for 1 to 2 weeks and then increase if tolerated.  Most people do well on 150-250 mg in the morning and repeated mid-day.

• Mild adverse effects include headache, gastrointestinal discomfort, dry mouth, and sleep difficulty.

Do you need OVERALL SUPPORT and LOVE TEA? Try Holy Basil AKA Tulsi, another Ayurvedic rejuvenating herb classically used for fatigue, memory, and supporting the respiratory tract.  It also helps to normalize blood sugar levels in patients with sugar cravings or insulin resistance and helps with inflammation.  This is widely available as Tulsi tea and I enjoy drinking several cups a day during the winter season, but extracts are also available.

• Recommended Dose: 300-600 mg/day

Sign up at Fullscript for a 10% discount on high quality natural supplements.  Look for the Stress Support tab for my specific recommendations. Need a more personalized plan to bring balance to your life and optimize your health?  Schedule a Wellness Consultation with me now.