Unboxed: 7 new adaptogens that chill out and energize
Adaptogenic herbs are the perfect ingredients for our postmodern, stressed out, frazzled lives.
November 17, 2020
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2before Performance Nutrition Elite Performance Adaptogens SRP: $49.99 for 30 servings We hadn’t heard of New Zealand blackcurrants either. But the New Zealand variety apparently contains a unique ratio of four different anthocyanins. This results in both better absorption and also a cool defensive activation throughout the body. It specifically works in three documented ways—antioxidant generation, inflammation management that leads to tissue recovery, and enhancement of cell-protection proteins. That raises the baseline of cell and tissue health, making the body better prepared for even the next stress event. Two scoops taken less than two hours before exercising ought to do it.
Amy Myers MD AdaptoZen SRP: $44.97 for 60 servings This brand contains the KSM-66 brand ashwagandha, as well as rhodiola, saffron, and a new branded ingredient, Venetron, from vaunted supplier Maypro, for sleep and mood support. The formulation is marketed to support relaxation and a healthy night’s sleep, though it is one of those proprietary blends so you don’t know exactly how much of each individual ingredient is used. The proprietary blend contains a total of 743 mg, and we know an efficacious dose of KSM-66 ashwagandha is 600 mg alone. Perhaps there is a synergistic effect with blends of multiple botanicals. It does also contains PEA, a quasi-cannabinoid shown to help with pain and fear.
HempFusion Stress Support SRP: $39.99 for 30 servings Leave it to one of the hemp CBD industry’s pioneers to blend its US Hemp Authority-certified hemp with leading ashwagandha branded ingredient Sensoril, found to be effective at a dose of only 125 mg (some studies show efficacy at 250 mg) to safely improve various markers of stress. Toss in some MCTs and phospholipids for enhanced absorption, and of course the whole hemp extract containing 5 mg CBD and another 5 mg terpenes, and it’s a solid formulation.
Herbalist & Alchemist David Winston’s Daily Adapt SRP: $28.09 for 20 servings Davis Winston is a legend in herbalist circles, well-known as an author, educator and herbalist. This classic tincture formulation features eleuthero, oat milky seed, schisandra, gotu kola, rhodiola and American ginseng. This is said to promote energy and balance stress. If it’s good enough for David Winston, it’s good enough for us!
Self+ Supplements Immunity +Unwind SRP: $39.99 for 30 servings One scoop has a non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free formulation of 10 power-packed ingredients, including magnesium for calmness, L-theanine to relax sans sleepiness, ashwagandha, reishi, melatonin, L-tryptophan and more. And that’s just for the unwind part. To also play in the immunity world, there’s healthy doses of vitamins C and D, zinc and elderberry. This is a good-looking new and modern brand.
Sun Horse Energy Fog Cutter SRP: $49.95 for 30 servings Led by herbal oracle and second-generation herbalist Dan Moriarty, Sun Horse puts together righteous botanical formulations. His specialty is adaptogenic herbs, and Fog Cutter features the newest adaptogen to hit the scene, jiaogulan—along with a host of other more well-known adaptogens like ashwagandha, schisandra and holy basil—all in a liposomal format for maximum and immediate effects that hone in on cognitive health. The pump squirt bottle is a great way to take it, and it tastes delicious! The alternative to a pill for your chill.
Youtheory Ashwagandha SRP: $18.99 for 30 servings What we love about this is it’s just straight-up ashwagandha, the heralded branded ingredient known as KSM-66. This is quite possibly the most certified ingredient the supplements world has known—USDA organic, Non GMO Project verified, gluten-free, ISO 9001, certified raw and clean, and 17 others. It is also quite well-studied among humans, with 22 published studies on people. The basic story is is helps on two aspects of the mind, two on the body—stress relief and brain health, and sports performance and sexual health. The running theme is things that may affect your productivity. Finally, it uses the same dose used in human clinical trials—600 mg. Not every brand uses the complete full dose. Counsel customers to take one capsule twice a day. Good going, Youtheory.
Youtheory Ashwagandha SRP: $18.99 for 30 servings What we love about this is it’s just straight-up ashwagandha, the heralded branded ingredient known as KSM-66. This is quite possibly the most certified ingredient the supplements world has known—USDA organic, Non GMO Project verified, gluten-free, ISO 9001, certified raw and clean, and 17 others. It is also quite well-studied among humans, with 22 published studies on people. The basic story is is helps on two aspects of the mind, two on the body—stress relief and brain health, and sports performance and sexual health. The running theme is things that may affect your productivity. Finally, it uses the same dose used in human clinical trials—600 mg. Not every brand uses the complete full dose. Counsel customers to take one capsule twice a day. Good going, Youtheory.
Herbalists use the word "adaptogens" to describe an increasingly popular class of plants that, as its name suggests, help you adapt. Adapt to what, you ask?
These plants have been used for some 4,000 years and help us adapt to all forms of physical or mental stress. The word "adaptogen" gives people a clue as to the activity of this category—e.g., helping them adapt to lifestyle conditions—and that's beneficial.
Three totems describe adaptogens:
They are nontoxic in the body.
They move the body to homeostasis, to equilibrium. Away from dis-ease, and to a state of ease.
They have nonspecific action.
While most herbs have an effect on specific bodily functions, true adaptogens work on several at once. They stabilize physiological processes to create real, lasting health.
Adaptogens have this almost magical ability to perk you up when you're tired or relax you when you're stressed. Botanicals in this class include ashwagandha, rhodiola, schisandra, eleuthero, holy basil, maca and a few others. These days, they are all the rage. Here are seven new entrants to the category.
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