Posts Tagged ‘adaptogen’

I’m excited to be puttering around my yard.  It’s one of my forms of meditation.  I get more grounded, calm and peaceful wandering around the yard with no intense agenda.  My plants have no pressing needs right now.  I do a little weeding, feed the fish and water where needed.

I connect to myself and the earth.  I fall into rhythm with her breath.  I feel nurtured here.  I almost don’t want to leave sometimes.

My deck becomes an extension of my living space.  I generally leave the sliding door open.  My animals are happy with that arrangement.  That reminds me of a Sunday last year when I had opened the door in the morning so Mandy could venture out.  I went upstairs for a minute and when I came down a chipmunk had boldly come into the living room.  He turned tail and bolted out.  I had the door closed more after that.  That didn’t last too long.  The door is slid open again.

I’m sitting on my deck with one of my favorite teas, Tulsi or also known as Holy Basil.  It’s not related to the herb Basil.  It comes from India and has a mild, pleasant taste.  I like my tea sweetened with Stevia so I’m not adding calories and it has no effect on the blood sugar like sugar does.  I found Stevia years ago when I discovered I had some Candida issues.  Stevia helped me avoid feeding the candida but still have a bit of sweetness.  I think it enhances the flavor of my tea.

Besides the great taste of Tulsi the other reason I drink it on a regular basis is all the positive attributes it has.

Tulsi Benefits:  Reduces stress, supports the immune system, abundant in antioxidants, builds stamina, aids digestion, supports adrenal and lymph health, powerful adaptogen, helps to balance the metabolism.

Cheers to a peaceful evening even though I’ll be working on my taxes next.  Hmmm, I’ll put on another pot of Tulsi first.

Maca and Spirulina can taste a bit “strong” in a smoothie.  This recipe works well and is loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein.

1-1/2 Cups Chocolate soy milk

1 tsp Spirulina

1 tsp Maca powder

1/16 tsp pure stevia powder

1 banana

1 tsp Sunflower butter

1 tsp Hemp oil

6 ice cubes

Everything goes in the blender till smooth.  Enjoy.

Key benefits of using Maca root:

• Increases libido
• Addresses PMS/Mood Swings/Ease Hot Flashes and other menopause symptoms/Hormone replacement therapy alternative
  
• Enhance brain function
• Improves sleep
• Slows aging process
• Increases stamina and energy
• Helps you adapt to stress
• Good source of calcium

Give Maca root a try and see for yourself.  I’ve had great success with it myself.  It’s a great addition to smoothies and juice.  You can find more information in my Nutrition section as well as order some for yourself.

Adaptogen is a term associated with herbs that increase the body’s resistance to stress, trauma anxiety and fatigue.  I don’t know anybody that would say they couldn’t use a little help in those areas.  In the past these herbs were referred to as rejuvedating herbs, qi tonics or restoratives.

All adaptogens contain antioxidents, but antioxidents are not necessarily adaptogens and that is not their primmary mode of action.  Adaptogens allow the body to counter adverse physical, chemical or biological stressors by raising nonspecific resistance toward stress, thus allowing the organism to “adapt” to the stressful circumstances.

An adaptiongen is:

*non-toxic

*produces a nonspecific response in the body and an increase in the power of resistance against multiple stressors including physical, chemical or biological agents.

*has a normalizing influence on physiology, irrespective of the direction of change from physiological norms caused by the stressor.

Adaptogenic herbs are distinct from other substances in their ability to balance endocrine hormones and the immune system.  Adaptogens are proposed to have a normalizing effect on the body and to be capable of either toning down the activity of hyperfunctioning systems or strengthening the activity of hypofunctioning systems.

Peruvian Maca root is an adaptogen.  You can read more about Maca root in my Nutrition.