Tagged with 'adaptogens'

Curious about adaptogens? Here are some of my favorite adaptogens with an easy to understand overview.

We lead incredibly busy, and often stressful lives, and it’s important every single day to take time out to manage and reduce your stress.

This one is a libido enhancer!

Maca, a Peruvian root vegetable, has been used by the Incans for more than 2,000 years. It has generated lots of buzz as an aphrodisiac and its ability to enhance sex drive. Speaking of the reproductive area, it also helps with infertility and erecttile dysfunction.

Maca has a mild, earthy taste which disappears into smoothies. If you love mango, you'll really like this smoothie!

MANGO & MACA SMOOTHIE

Serves 4

3 cups non-dairy milk (hemp, almond, cashew, coconut)

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)

3 ripe fresh mangoes, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 Tbsp flaxseeds

1 tsp maca powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 Deglet Noor pitted dates

Pinch of Himalayan salt

A handful of ice

Blend until smooth & creamy.

Per serving: 265 cals, 9g fat, 3g fiber, 3g pro, 45g carb, 116mg sodium, 253mg calcium

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12472620

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18801111

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25954318

recipe courtesy of health.com

Do you want to lower your stress levels or balance your hormones? Adaptogens do both! They are simply fascinating!

The body's stress system controls hundreds of pathways that are responsible for inflammation. Adaptogens give the stress system an ability to "adapt," keeping inflammation levels in check. They also have a knack for bringing some zen to your adrenal, thyroid, and sex hormones. 

Begin your morning by including adaptogenic herbs at breakfast. Ashwagandha, rhodiola, and maca are all herbs that balance our cortisol levels. Adaptogens are especially powerful when they're combined, so I'm a fan of using blends in smoothies. This smoothie also sneaks in some Brazil nuts, which are a hormone power food.

Adaptogenic Adrenal Balancing Smoothie

Ingredients: 

• 12 ounces full-fat coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or MCT oil
• 1 scoop collagen peptides
• 1 teaspoon ashwagandha powder
• 1 teaspoon rhodiola powder
• 1 tablespoon maca powder
• 1 cup frozen organic berries
• 1 drop stevia
• 1 cup spinach
• 5 Brazil nuts

Take home message: adaptogens are bada$$. 

If you're interested in a hot drink, get your adaptogen fix with ashwagandha-infused moon milk. 

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

Recipe courtesy of mindbodygreen.