What Are Adaptogens — and How Can They Help Boost Your Health Naturally?
As a holistic nutritionist and practitioner, I focus on the whole individual when working with clients, including their physical, mental and emotional health.
Carley Nadine is a Toronto-based Holistic Nutritionist and Wellness Educator. Her goal is to educate and empower those to live a happy, balanced, and abundant life using food, herbs, and holistic lifestyle practices.
Stress is a major factor in creating disease in the body. Herbs such as adaptogens, in combination with healthy lifestyle practices, are a useful part of correcting imbalances. In my practice, most of my clients are looking for natural solutions to reduce stress, increase energy, and improve immunity. These are the primary reasons I recommend adaptogenic herbs, such as Wisconsin American Ginseng.
What are adaptogens?
Adaptogens (like American Ginseng) are a class of herbs that are non-toxic to the body’s physiological functions. Adaptogenic herbs offer widespread support by modulating stress responses, enhancing energy, sleep quality, and improving immune function. They work to bring the hormones of your adrenal system back into balance and overcome adrenal fatigue, a common condition of chronic stress. Ginseng is one of the most popular adaptogens available today and is the most commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine.
Different types of ginseng
The two most common types of Ginseng are the Wisconsin American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax Ginseng).
Wisconsin Ginseng shares many properties with Asian ginseng but is less stimulating. Traditional Chinese medicine defines Wisconsin ginseng as a cooling or calming (yin) tonic, useful for treating stress-related problems. Asian ginseng is regarded as a heating (yang) tonic and is inappropriate for people who are already overheated. The cooling and yin properties have made American Ginseng the most popular supplement for city dwellers whose energetic and fast-paced lifestyles may need more calming and balancing.
Why I recommend Wisconsin Ginseng
I recommend cultivated Wisconsin Ginseng to my clients because it is very effective at reducing stress in the body. Ginsenosides, which are found in high concentrations in Wisconsin ginseng, can increase the brain’s serotonin levels. Serotonin contributes to enhanced mood and well-being.
Wisconsin Ginseng has also been shown to improve energy, increase immunity and improve overall cognitive function. Wisconsin ginseng is cooler in nature and less stimulating than other forms of ginseng. Cultivated Wisconsin Ginseng is known as the highest quality American Ginseng in the world and is grown on farms for protection against overharvesting. Clinical studies have reinforced American ginseng’s role as an antioxidant, boosting the performance of cells which play a vital role in immunity.
Taking Wisconsin Ginseng
There are many ways to enjoy the benefits of this wonderful herb! Due to its energizing effects, Wisconsin Ginseng is best taken in the morning or early afternoon, any time of year, and is especially effective during hotter months due to its cooling properties.
Each individual is different when it comes to herbs, so it’s important to start with a low dose and increase as needed.
- Tea: Wisconsin Ginseng tea, can be sipped to improve your mental power, boost immunity, and increase energy.
- Dried Root: Can be added to soups and healing broths.
- Powder: A small amount of powder can be added to smoothies or mixed with warm water.
