These miracle herbs will boost your immunity, make you better at your job and beat insomnia
No matter how healthy our diet is or how many supplements we pop, none of us are immune to the pressures of modern life, whether it be work deadlines, the daily commute or just simply never having enough hours in the day.
Our poor bodies are also regularly exposed to physical and toxic stress too – from household chemicals and pesticides in our foods to pollutants in the air and refined sugar.
All this can overwhelm the body’s ability to cope, leading to insomnia, tiredness, anxiety, depression and even physical illness.
Thankfully, there are some incredible rejuvenating herbs that can help. It's time to get acquainted with adaptogens.
So what are adaptogen herbs?
According to the experts at Pukka Herbs, the clue is their name. "They literally help the body to adapt, adjust and recalibrate itself depending on our emotional and physical surroundings," they explain. "So, for example, they can help calm in times of stress. They can bring peace to a racing mind in the middle of the night. They can give clarity when everything around is in turmoil. They can give energy when we are tired."
The term adaptogen was introduced into scientific literature by Russian toxicologist Nikolay Lazarev in 1957 to refer to ‘substances that increase the state of non-specific resistance' in stress. Broadly, an adaptogen must have the four ‘Ns’...
1. Nourishing: bring nutritive strength
2. Normalising: raise what is low and lower what is high (eg energy, stress)
3. Non-specific: act on multiple parts of the body at the same time
4. Non-toxic: be completely safe when used over extended periods of time.
So, how do adaptogen herbs work?
"Adaptogens relieve stress by modulating the release of stress hormones from the adrenal glands," say Pukka's experts. "As biological response modifiers (BRMs), adaptogens restore the body’s innate immune function and help the body adapt to different stressors. This gives them preventative and protective, as well as curative activity in compromised immunity.
By replenishing our deeper immunity and regulating our response to stress, they can increase energy, reduce stress, improve blood sugar levels, improve cholesterol levels and regulate hormones.
Dr David Jack has shared a list of the herbs believed to demonstrate significant adaptogenic activity, which you can start adding to your wellness regime...
Ashwagandha
Known as the ‘strength of the stallion’ in India, this is used in Ayurvedic medicine to strengthen the immune system, treat fatigue, reduce anxiety and combat stress
Astragalus
Guards against disease and supports the liver. Great for the immune system and digestion
Eleuthero
Invigorates sexual function, boosts energy, enhances immunity and vitality. Known as Siberian ginseng.
Ginseng
Increases mental alertness and builds resistance to stress. Enhances libido.
Holy Basil
Enhances the body’s natural response to physical and emotional stress
Jiaogulan
A member of the pumpkin family, this plant shows benefits for the heart, the immune system and brain function.
Jujube
A red berry which helps with anxiety and insomnia. Supports energy levels
Milk Vetch
Immune system stimulation and regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure are just some of the benefits of this plant, which also improves heart function and circulation.
Sea Buckthorn
This is a super fruit containing all of the omegas and a large number of antioxidans and minerals. Grown in the Himalayan Mountains, it is often used to improve skin health, and is linked to healing psoriasis and slowing ageing. Used to improve gastrointestinal disorders and colon health.
Yerba Mate
Made from the leaves of the South American rainforest holly tree, local tribes have sipped yerba mate for its rejuvenative effects. Its leaves contain 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and abundant antioxidants. Yerba mate is in Integrative Beauty’s oral supplements BeauTea and SkinShake.
Will you be adding some to your wellness routine?
In the meantime, here are the top tips and tricks to help you get to sleep:
DermaTherapy Pillowcases
You might have heard about the glories of silk pillowcases, but this antimicrobial nylon-polyester blend has its own benefits to boast. Smoother than high thread count cotton, they absorb water 60% faster and allow you to be at optimal humidity. Say goodbye to nightsweats, this regulates your temperature perfectly throughout the night.
£19.95, DermaTherapy
Deep Sleep bath soak
Yes we’re banging on about ThisWorks, sorry, but it really is the gift that keeps giving. Take this bath soak, which relaxes your body and mind with therapeutic salts. Sod drying your hair, just roll straight out of the tub into bed.
£22, ThisWorks
'Relax' Room Fragrance
A few drops of this oil into the accompanying fragrancer (that warms it to release the scent) turns your room into a zen AF bubble of holistic heaven. MUCH safer than nodding off with a candle on too.
£25, Aromatherapy Associates
'Settle' Oil
Formulated to calm a restless mind, rub a bit of this into your palms and breathe it in. All the way in. Again. One more time. Asleep yet? We thought so.
£38, De Mamiel
Simba Hybrid Pillow
The perfect pillow doesn't just adjust to your temperature, but has options to change the firmness and height as well. We're sold.
£95, Simba
Spacemasks
Ok so these masks do look a bit like a sanitary product, but trust us when we say: put this on your face. Individually sealed, they warm up when they come into contact with air and wrap your face in a cosy little cuddle. Stellar.
£15
Sleeping Body Lotion
People went loco for this lotion last year, with claims that it knocked them out cold. Sign us up.
£13.95, Lush
