Adaptogenic herbs are a helpful tool in balancing cortisol and sex hormones in times of stress. Consult your practitioner about adding them to your routine as needed. Some benefits of adaptogenic herbs:
Help the body adapt to stress and encourage your body to return to the parasympathetic rest and repair state.
Help modulate cortisol and hormone levels (meaning an adaptogen may increase or decrease the body’s production of a particular hormone depending on its needs).
Enhance energy production, sleep quality, and immune function.
Stress Modulating Adaptogenic Herbs:
Ashwagandha
Rhodiola
Asian Ginseng
Eleuthero
Holy Basil
Rhodiola
L-Theanine- an amino acid naturally found in green tea that has been shown to reduce symptoms of acute stress and anxiety.
Adrenal Gland Support
Supporting the adrenal glands (where cortisol is produced) with vitamins and nutrients is also important.
Vitamin C can potentially help regulate the stress response in relation to cortisol release.
Glutathione is a supreme antioxidant and can help reduce oxidative stress oftentimes related to chronic stress.
GABA Support
GABA is a calming neurotransmitter that regulates mood, emotions, and sleep cycles. Low levels of GABA can result in anxiety, depression, irritability, restlessness, and poor sleep. You can support GABA levels with:
B complex
Magnesium Glycinate at night
Gentle yoga
Abstaining from Alcohol
Nervine plants
Nervine plants can be used as an herbal tea or tincture to help calm the nervous system, promote sleep, and decrease stress are:
Lemon Balm
Milky Oat Seed
Mimosa
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is commonly used to stimulate parts of the brain to influence emotions, ease stress and anxiety, boost feelings of relaxation, and improve sleep quality. uses essential oils to stimulate parts of the brain to influence emotions. Some examples are:
Lavender
Dill Flower Essence
Clary Sage
Bergamot
A Reminder About Caffeine
Caffeine plants like coffee, tea, mate, and cacao are not adaptogens. They do not modulate stress hormones, rather they are quite stimulating. Rather than helping your body regulate stress, caffeine elicits the stress response. Caffeine increases the effects of some neurotransmitters and hormones like adrenaline and cortisol while decreasing others like GABA. Long term reliance on caffeine for energy will deplete your overall vitality. Consider limiting caffeine intake to one cup per day before 10 am.
Consider these caffeine options in your rotation for lower caffeine intake plus antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar balancing, and mood-boosting benefits.
Green tea
White tea
Chocolate
Matcha
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