Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA and Alexandra Williams, MA
Ever heard of adaptogens and what they do? We recently caught wind of them, so asked longtime Fun and Fit supporter and herb expert, Sara Beth Watson of Kroeger Herb Products (aka Hanna’s Herbs) to fill us in. Her reply was so helpful we asked her to share it with you in a guest post. Can you sense her excitement? (Read to the end to to enter a giveaway).
Guest post by Sara Beth Watson
Ah, herbs. You’re so cool, especially adaptogens, which offer so many benefits. Clearly I’m excited to talk about these little bad boys in capsules so let’s just get adapt-tastic, shall we?
Adaptogenic herbs have been used for thousands of years worldwide and are only now really gaining momentum in the west as we begin to accept herbs as medicine and not just as flavoring. Schizandra, Ginseng, Licorice Root, and Rhodiola are examples of adaptogens. Each adaptogenic herb is unique to a specific organ or bodily function. And each performs under the umbrella of boosting the immune system.
Getting to the (Licorice) Root of what Adaptogens Can Do For You
When we’re learning to deal with things, we’re adapting to them, which is what adaptogens help us to do really. As our bodies adapt to our surroundings, we become less sick, fatigued, and stressed. And that’s just the bare bones of what these amazing herbs can do. Overall, adaptogens are subtle rejuvenators. If you are trying to improve your sleep, alertness, mental acuity, or resistance to illness, for example, these herbs will help. We are not always talking dramatic change, but a general uplift. (I’m not sure if you can tell but I’m really trying to calm down as I am typing this because, legitimately, I’m in love with adaptogenic remedies).
Rhodiola is specific to brain and mood health. People who suffer from depression, other mood disorders, or memory loss can look to improve their conditions with this natural remedy. When our company decided to introduce Rhodiola and began formulating our capsules, I bought some from another company to test the effects. After a month I found myself writing and thinking more clearly.
Schizandra is a Chinese berry that has been useful in addressing sexual dysfunction and liver health, mostly in women, though great improvements for Erectile Dysfunction have also been noted in men. Over a year ago when Hanna’s Herbs introduced Schizandra I thought, “what the hey,” and took that to see how I felt. I’m already an energetic, happy gal but I’m here to tell you—I felt like a million bucks.
Yup, you get the scoop here on adaptogen herbs!
Adaptogens can work well for everyone, but the positive effects can become less noticeable over time. Say you decide to take Schizandra because you’re feeling fatigued. After a month you’ll see and feel the difference but after about 3 months the effects won’t be as noticeable. That’s the time to switch to another adaptogen and enjoy the benefits it can provide.
Quite a bit of skepticism surrounds adaptogenic herbs, mostly because of tricky marketers trying to make these herbs seem like a cure-all or a wonder drug. They’re not. You will not experience a miraculous event from taking adaptogens. But people who suffer from mood disorders, depression, sleep disorders, fatigue, social anxiety, sexual dysfunction, or memory loss should notice an evening out or lessening of symptoms. Even fun and fit, happy, adorable, outgoing, brilliant women can benefit from adaptogens!
Ok… I’ll make myself stop there. Hopefully I’ve gotten you interested with this brain dump. I’ve included a link to “Adaptogens—You Never Knew You Could Feel THIS Good” if you want to learn more. Or email me with your questions, as I love answering them (as you probably could tell). sarabeth@kroegerherb.com
Bio: Sara Beth Watson has been part of the herbal world as Marketing and Social Media Director for Kroeger Herb Products./ Hanna’s Herbs. When she’s not researching natural wellness you can find her watching college football, being a vegetarian foodie, or enjoying the Rocky Mountains with friends.
Hanna’s Herbs has been gracious enough to offer 5 bottles of the Anti-Fatigue tablets to five of you! Just tweet out this message: I want to win a free bottle of Anti-Fatigue tablets from @HannasHerbShop via @AlexandraFunFit & @KymberlyFunFit, then leave the tweet url in the comments below. We’ll randomly select five winners on Friday, Sep. 28th. If you want to check out the Anti-Fatigue tablets, click on the ad in the right sidebar.
Do you have an agreeable, adaptable outlook? Heck, even if you don’t, boom chicka keystroke click on our links and subscribe to our YouTube channeland our blog. Follow us on Twitter: KymberlyFunFit and AlexandraFunFit. Please also follow us on Instagram: KymberlyFunFit and AlexandraFunFit. Or click on the icons in the right sidebar ——–>
This is really interesting. I had no idea and I really don’t know much about herbs or medicinal plants. I’d love to learn more though.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Friday Round-Up – Expectations
I enjoyed reading this. I’m always interested to learn more about natural ways to support health and fitness.
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Fitness Friday || Making the Time. Making Fitness a Priority.
Important information, especially for parents trying to raise healthy children! Well written and informative!
I love the idea of adaptation! (background in evolutionary biology here!). I tweeted and shared!
https://twitter.com/fitknitchick_1/status/251813784291799042
Tamara recently posted..Tips and tricks to control the after-work munchies
It’s amazing to me how we’re just rediscovering things we as human beings have been using for thousands of years! Thanks for sharing, and her excitement about adaptogens seeps out, and is a bit contagious.
For me the biggest and most important benefit of adaptogen herbs is immunity. I got sick up to 4 times a year before I started using capsules, now I get sick less.
Maria recently posted..Health Care Resource BeHealthy24