Adaptogen Series Five

Happiness Tonic

Organic and wildcrafted, Anima Mundi’s Happiness Tonic is one of the best ways to bring good feelings in! It is credited with “stabiliz[ing] hormone function, serotonin and dopamine, as well as provid[ing] a soothing effect on the nervous system.”

The adaptogens rhodiola and ashwagandha, along with powerfully supporting “happy herbs” like st. johns wort, mucuna and albizzia manage stress in the system and bring peace and feelings of well-being.

There have been some intense times this year and this happiness tonic, along with Anima Mundi’s Mucuna powder (which I wrote about in last week’s post) it has definitely helped with managing stress and the happy vibes in our house.

One of the benefits of working with adaptogens is that they are organic, natural and have no side effects and I can use them with my kids! The Happiness Tonic has helped in times of overdue stress. All you need is 1/2 tsp directly on the tongue or in water, juice, coffee or tea.

It’s an easy way (and you KNOW I’m all about the easy!) to get a nice shift in mood in a natural way!

I have ONE more Adaptogen post next week and then I’m going to move into a series on healing, based on your astrological chart! So get excited for that, because it’s very cool. See you next week!

xo

Rebecca

Adaptogen Series Four

Vitality and Mental Clarity Smoothie

I have struggled with chronic migraine for over a decade and in addition to guidance from some wonderful doctors along the way, I have also sought out holistic ways to support mental clarity and wellness.

This smoothie incorporates a number of anti-inflammatory adaptogens. While migraine has never classically been considered an inflammatory disease, there is emerging research and theory that is moving in that direction.

In addition to Anima Mundi’s Guarana powder (which has been used by Brazilians for migraine as it naturally dilates blood vessels) I have found these supplements to be helpful in preventative care of my migraine condition.

What follows is a breakdown of the herbal supplments and then an ingredient list for the Vitality and Mental Clarity Smoothie (which for me, is the easiest and best way for me to pack all of these supplements into one one place!)

The Mind

• Holy Basil Leaf
• Mucuna
• Ginko Leaf

This Adaptogenic Brain Tonic is chock full of adaptogenic, aruvedic herbs that boost mood, are anti-inflammatory, improve circulation, help cognitive function, relieve anxiety and have strong antioxidants. I use 1 tsp of this a day.

Mucuna

• L-Dopa
• White Mucuna Seed Extract Powder

Mucuna is one of the only naturally occurring sources of L-Dopa, or Dopamine, the mood-booster. It is attributed to lowering stress, and the high concentrations of L-Dopa encourage the brain to produce dopamine. This helps with stress (one of the leading triggers in headache/migraine). I use 1 tsp of this daily.

Mushroom Mocha Milk

• Coconut Cream Powder
• Heirloom Cacao
• 7 mushrooms: Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, Lions Mane, Agaricus, Shiitake, Maitake

This Mushroom Mocha Milk is an amazing addition to anything (it’s really good in coffee too!) It’s a great way to get a super dose of these 7 adaptogenic mushrooms which carry anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-depressive benefits, are helpful with cognition and beneficial in the recovery of nervous system injury. 1 tablespoon of this in coffee, tea or a smoothie does the trick!

Liver Vitality

• Moringa
• Chlorella
• Spirulina
• Burdock Root
• Tumeric
• Dandelion Root
• Milk Thistle
• Graviola

I mix this Liver Vitality into my smoothie because, honestly, it’s the easiest way I’ve found to work it in! It’s a wonderful way to get these super algae benefits including reduction in blood pressure, a large dose of high density nutrients, they can be helpful against anemia, are anti-inflammatory, and can lower “bad” cholesterol. It’s a mad detoxifier for your system and easy to add in. 1 tsp is all you need to get all the benefits.

Vitality and Mental Clarity Smoothie

Ingredients

• Mucuna 1 tsp
• The Mind 1 tsp
• Liver Vitality 1 tsp
• Mushroom Mocha Milk 1 tbsp
• Almond Milk (or any milk of choice) 1/2 cup
• Yogurt of choice 1 1/2 cup
• Fresh fruit of choice, fresh or frozen (I did fresh berries) 1 Cup
• 1-2 cups of ice
• Agave or honey to sweeten if need be

As always, I’d love to hear if you know any other remedies for migraine or if you’re working with any other adaptogens and of course, if you try this smoothie, let me know how it is! Remember, to experience the benefits of any regime, you have to stick with it!

xo

Rebecca

Adaptogen Series Three!

Adaptogenic Skincare

So I am a big believer in choosing a skin routine that is good for you, and sticking with it. It has been said that you need up to 3 months using a product to see the results and I have definitely found that to be true.

In my teens I jumped around a lot in terms of routines, products and plans around my skin. Any new thing I read about (usually containing harsh chemicals) I was willing to try, but usually just once, or until the bottle ran out, and then I was on to something else.

Then in college the mom of one of my close friends came to visit for a week; she was a dermatologist and she changed everything. I mentioned that I grew up in Arizona and she inquired about my skin care as a child and teenager. Well, let’s see… I vividly remember using tanning oil with my mother around the age of 10, I worked in a tanning salon (IN ARIZONA!!) in my high school years where I tanned regularly, and I spent my fair share of time laying out by resort pools in Scottsdale… S-C-A-R-Y.

I learned that much like eye and dental health, skincare should be preventative, not reactive, which is why you should start treating for things before they become an issue.

Now living in Seattle, where my skin was having a break from the sun and dryness of of the desert, she then inquired into my current skincare routine. Cue the crickets.

What I learned that week when I was only 21 has made all the difference for how I’ve approached skincare overall, and it’s from the inside out and the outside in. Double attack and health (not necessarily vanity) focused. It includes supplements (there are specific probiotics that promote healthy skin!) for internal health of the skin, and topical products for external skin health.

I also understood that much like eye and dental health, skincare should be preventative, not reactive, which is why you should start treating for things before they become a problem. I also learned that products should be added from thinnest to thickest: liquids to creams. So for example, a liquid exfoliator like Moon Juice’s Acid Potion, which I share below, would be a first step in a skin care routine.

Products should be added from thinnest to thickest. Liquids to creams, so a liquid exfoliator, like Acid Potion, would be a first step in a skin care routine.

I’ve never been one for super harsh treatments or for products that have lots and lots of main, active ingredients I don’t understand or can’t pronounce, so when I came across the company Moon Juice in my adaptogen search (I wrote about their AMAZING adaptogenic collagen in another post you can find here) I was super intrigued by their adaptogenic skincare products.

How do Topical Adaptogenics Work?

So we know that ingested adaptogens work by managing your stress response by adapting to your own unique needs, and by working with your adrenal glands and nervous system internally to bring balance and calm to your overall system.

So how does it work when you use adaptogens directly on your skin?

Adaptogens can work directly to soothe and calm irritation (rashes and redness), inflammation (puffiness) and stress (which manifests as premature aging or, in other words, dryness, discoloration and the breakdown of collagen.)

Topical adaptogens work directly on skin to sooth and calm irritation (redness), inflammation (puffiness) and stress (which manifests as premature aging in the breakdown of collagen, dryness and discoloration.)

Don’t get me wrong, ingesting adaptogens is still incredibly beneficial for your overall system and your skin, but you can double up by using them directly on problem areas topically as well. Like I said, double attack!

Here are three of their products I’ve been incorporating into my tried-and-true routine over the last few months, that have acted as boosters in hydrating, reducing inflammation, increasing elasticity, diminishing redness, evening skin tone and even offering protection against blue light (YES!)

Acid Potion

Ingredients

• Lactic Acid
• Gylcolic Acid
• Salicylic Acid
• Niacinamide
• Reishi

Moon Juice’s Acid Potion is a combination of Lactic, Glycol and Salicyclic Acid that works to unclog pores, promote cellular turnover and resurface skin for a smoother and softer texture. And the best part is that it’s REALLY gentle; it won’t dry you out!

It has Niacinamide, which supports the skin barrier by increasing it resiliency and making pores smaller. Reishi, an adaptogenic mushroom, helps to hydrate, soothe and balance the skin. I really love this. I use it at night after a gentle cleanser and let it almost completely dry before adding gels and creams on top.

Plump Jelly

Ingredients

• Hyaluronic Acid
• Peptides
• Beet Amino Acid
• Silver Ear Mushroom

This Plump Jelly lotion is smooth and light and absorbs really nicely. It’s really hydrating and I put it on directly after the Acid Potion. I had been using a very expensive Hyaluronic Serum from Germany for years, and this has taken its place, outright.

I was using an expensive Hyaluronic Serum from Germany for years and this has taken its place, outright.

The adaptogenic Silver Ear Mushroom (also known as the Tremella) helps brighten the complexion, and it helps boost blood circulation which is beneficial to making the skin look full and have more elasticity.

What’s remarkable is that it is almost identical in it’s chemical structure to hyaluronic acid, so it has almost an equivalent effect (and then add the glow from all that extra blood circulation and it’s a winner in my book! No other plain Hyaluronic Acid is going to do that!)

Cosmic Cream

Ingredients

• Ashwaganda
• Jojoba Oil
• Grape Seed Oil
• Silver Ear Mushroom
• Reishi Mushroom

This Cosmic Cream is a buttery smooth cream that I apply as my final step at night. It smells SO good. Adaptogenic mushrooms (Silver Ear and Reishi) offer anti-inflammatory and hydrating benefits, while powerhouse Ashwaganda protects the skin against aging by blocking blue light and slowing collagen breakdown.

Ashwaganda is astringent, protects the skin again aging by blocking blue light and slowing collagen breakdown.

Ashwaganda also has astringent properties and helps the skin produce the appropriate amount of natural oils to keep the skin hydrated but not oily. This cream takes a bit of time to absorb so I only use it at night. It’s not greasy at all, just rich.

Final Thoughts

I’m just scratching the surface here, but I’m really into the benefits adaptogens can have for overall wellness. I’ve been able to incorporate these products in with my other products with no issues, and I’m happy so far!

Do you have any adaptogenic products you’re using that you love? Drop a comment below and share! I’ll check them out!

xo

Rebecca

Adaptogen Series Two!

Welcome back to the second post of the Wednesday Wellness Adaptogen Series!

Today I’m sharing the Lung Tea: CommuniTea from Anima Mundi Herbals. This adaptogenic Tea is supportive of overall respiratory health, specifically the lungs. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes the lungs are where we carry trauma, grief and emotional pain. Autumn is also associated with the lungs in TCM, making this tea a really wonderful choice for the next couple of weeks.

Health Benefits

With COVID-19 prevalent across the US and other parts of the world, bringing in herbs like Astralagus (immune boosting, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory), Nettles (manages blood sugar, flushes bacteria from the urinary tract), Ginger (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory), Reishi (boosts white blood cells, lessens fatigue) and Holy Basil (reduces inflammation) among others, this tea offers up a powerful boost to the lungs!

Additionally in TCM, maintaining consistently healthy energy through the respiratory system leads to clear thinking, openness to creativity, new ideas and clear communication. There is so much happening astrologically over the coming month as we enter the Age of Aquarius; our minds and bodies need to be ready as we individually and collectively move into the beginning of a new cycle. Cleansing our vital systems is one simple step to streamlining our energies and simplifying this process.

The tea comes loose leaf, you can use a tea infuser, or organic, chemical-free, biodegradable tea sachets (I use these.)

Once steeped, add honey or agave if desired (I use local honey from a neighbor) and don’t feel bad enjoying with a cookie!

xo

Rebecca