Adaptogen Profile: What is Lion's Mane?

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian Ginseng, is a root traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to help reduce stress, improve mood (1), and increase energy levels. Native to India and North Africa, this small, shrub-like plant with yellow flowers is considered a Rasayana in ayurvedic medicine, meaning ‘path of essence.’ Rasayana refers to the science of increasing longevity, and ashwagandha is known to help increase longevity due to its powerful compounds. The herb’s adaptogenic properties help the body adapt to stress and become more resilient to life’s challenges, while supporting overall mind-body balance. Here’s how it can help you on your path to wellness: 1. Helps balance mood Ashwagandha helps to reduce oxidative degradation (2) that causes cellular tissue damage to the thyroid. Since the thyroid is responsible for many of our emotional hormones, a balanced thyroid creates a positive effect on our mood.  Ashwagandha can also help to soothe the hypothalamus, which can increase our feelings of happiness and well-being. 2. Supports a healthy immune system Ashwagandha’s antioxidants help to protect cells from free radical damage, which can catalyze illness, aging, inflammation, and autoimmunity. The herb’s’ antioxidant properties boost the immune system to promote longevity, help to prevent disease, and even support slowing the aging process.  3. Helps reduce anxiety When we’re stressed, or when our blood sugar levels get low, our adrenal glands produce a stress hormone called cortisol. Studies (3) show that this herb helps calm anxiety by reducing cortisol levels and soothing the central nervous system. 4. May curb food cravings Ashwagandha can balance the thyroid, which helps control your metabolism and promote the maintenance of a healthy weight. It’s also been linked to balancing blood sugar levels which can help minimize blood sugar fluctuations and energy spikes. A recent study (4) showed how ashwagandha can even help reduce food cravings and decrease excessive food consumption linked to stress. 5. Can improve memory and brain function In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is used for mind-rejuvenation. The herb’s many antioxidants and anti-microbial properties are shown to benefit cognitive function (5), such as focus, memory, and concentration.

Let’s face it, we're pretty stressed. That may mean that we struggle to maintain balance in our over-stimulated and fast-paced culture. When we are chronically stressed, our body struggles to keep up with the demands of our life, leading to illness, mood disorders, physical ailments, and overall poor health. However, what if there was a natural way to better adapt to life’s stressors and become more resilient in the face of adversity? Enter adaptogens! Used for thousands of years in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adaptogens are plants, herbs and mushrooms that help counteract the harmful effects of stress. Called adaptogens due to their unique ability to “adapt” their function according to your body’s specific needs, they can help heal a host of health issues or simply help ease stress by bringing the body back into balance (otherwise known as homeostasis). Why is this important? In order for our bodies to thrive, we must have a constant internal environment. This means that everything from our body temperature, blood sugar levels, and water content must be controlled and balanced for our cells and bodily systems to function optimally. When we’re exposed to life’s stressors our homeostasis is disrupted, and so are the systems of the body. Adaptogens can help improve our resistance to stress (emotional stress, physical trauma or injury, illness, fatigue, pollution) and normalize our body’s functions. This allows us to maintain a more regular state of homeostasis for optimal health. How do adaptogens work? Our stress levels and response are controlled by a system of glands called the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The central nervous system helps regulate and normalize the HPA axis to help us better cope with stress. Adaptogens ease stress response by releasing Hsp70 and Hsp72 (1), which are "stress sensor" proteins. This helps the central nervous system come out of fight-or-flight mode and back into a balanced state. Without easing our stress response, our bodies can either be over-functioning or under-functioning, often leading to neurodegeneration, chronic inflammation, and even cancer. The benefits of using adaptogens on a regular basis: Improved quality and quantity of sleep Boosted energy (without the crash you get from caffeine) Improved emotional well-being and resiliency Increased concentration and cognitive function Balanced stress and sex hormones Normalized digestive functioning Strengthened immune system Increased detoxification and liver health Stronger resistance to stress   Start by adding your favourite adaptogen into your morning smoothie and observe the improvements you may feel. Remember, adaptogens can help make lasting changes to your health, but it won’t happen overnight. When you stay consistent, keep up with your self-care practice, and make small, sustainable changes you can create your healthiest, most joyful lifestyle. Learn more about our adaptogens    

Ever feel off kilter or out of balance? Not 100%? In the past year, that has been true for most of us, most of the time! Between an uncertain world, a never-ending to-do list, and our own expectations, it’s challenging to feel on top of things – let alone relaxed and rested. What if there was something to help your body and mind to better cope with the stresses of life? Luckily, adaptogens might just be for you! Let’s dive into this peculiar class of plants and how it can benefit your daily life. Shop Adaptogens What are adaptogens? ‘Adaptogen’ is the term for the plants, herbs and mushrooms that help our bodies to adapt or adjust to the challenges life throws at us. Stress can cause one or more systems in our bodies to overwork or under-function, and if we can’t adapt to or handle chronic stress, we increase the risk of disease. Adaptogens help to bring the body into balance, whichever way it’s required, and allow us to feel better. Can I use adaptogens for stress? Our central nervous system (CNS) works to control and influence activity in all parts of our body. As it receives information and passes along commands, its goal is to keep us as safe as possible. One of the systems the CNS controls is called the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This system of glands and hormones directly affects outcomes like our response to stress levels as well as blood sugar, inflammation, and immune reactions. Adaptogens work by affecting and regulating the CNS and the HPA axis. This means they can actually help to prevent and reverse the effects of too many stressors. Are adaptogens safe? Yes, adaptogens are safe at standard doses for most people. Like anything, how you react specifically may be different than another person. If you experience any undesirable side effects, stop taking the products immediately. Consult with your medical professional if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, on medication, or have an upcoming surgery. Reishi mushroom Reishi mushrooms, or Ganoderma lucidum, help to balance many body systems. Used for at least four thousand years in many Asian countries for its medicinal properties, countless modern scientific studies prove what our ancestors put into practice. Reishi mushroom benefits Calm the body and mind. By improving the health of adrenal glands, where cortisol and other stress hormones are produced, reishi may help reduce anxiety, nervousness, and muscle tension. Modulate the immune system. Reishi improves immune function to protect the body more optimally from viruses, bacteria and cancer cells. It is also shown to be beneficial to an overactive immune system, with autoimmune challenges, allergies, and sensitivities. Shop Balance reishi powder Lion’s Mane mushroom Lion’s Mane mushroom, latin name Hericium, is a white spongy-looking edible mushroom that tastes a bit like shrimp or lobster when cooked. It is generally known for its role in improving memory and brain function. Lion’s mane benefits Protect and regenerate nerve cells. Lion’s mane induces nerve growth factor (NGF), required by the brain and neurons for development and maintenance. Modulate our gut immune system. This can positively affect inflammation and microbes in the digestive system. Shop Memory lion's mane powder Chaga mushroom Chaga mushrooms, or Inonotus obliquus, is a fungus naturally found growing on the outside of birch trees in very cold climates. Very hard, it usually requires an axe or saw to harvest. Chaga mushroom benefits Extremely high antioxidant content. This helps combat free radicals and damage caused by all types of stress on the body. Decreasing effects on anxiety and overwhelming feelings. The high levels of antioxidants allow us to handle stress more effectively. Shop Calm chaga powder Ashwagandha root Ashwagandha, known as Withania somnifera or Indian Ginseng, is a root commonly used in Ayurvedic traditional medicine. Ashwagandha benefits Help balance our mood and increase a feeling of happiness. It has a positive effect on the thyroid, which controls many of our emotional hormones. Normalize weight and food cravings. This positive benefit stems from its thyroid balancing properties. Shop Mood ashwagandha powder Tremella mushroom Tremella fuciformis is also known as snow mushroom, silver ear or white jelly mushroom. It is particularly popular in East Asia, where it has long been used as part of the cuisine and medicine. Tremella mushroom benefits High moisture retention. Tremella has an extreme water holding capacity, comparable to that of hyaluronic acid, a common ingredient in skincare products. Increased moisture retention provides a plump, healthy and youthful look to complexion, decreasing signs of dryness and aging. Immune function support. Tremella polysaccharides (naturally occurring long chains of carbohydrate molecules) have fantastic immunomodulatory properties. Immunomodulators help adjust the immune system to your circumstances and needs, to help your body adapt and fight off stressors. Shop Glow tremella powder