Maintaining Healthy Stress Levels

In today’s fast-paced world, laden with economic distress, stress and total exhaustion seem to be more common than in years past. We would be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t feeling stressed these days. As a practitioner, I hear all the time that between 2 and 3 PM fatigue starts to set in, making the latter part of the day nearly impossible to get through.

I think one of the most difficult components of feeling stressed and fatigued is that the conventional medical model has very little to offer with regard to diagnosis and treatment. Typically, if you go to your doctor with these complaints, she may or may not order lab tests, which will likely come back normal. You will then be told either that you are fine, or that it is all in your head. If you are really lucky, you may be handed a prescription for an antidepressant or anxiolytic, just to “take the edge off.” Maybe even something to help you sleep.

The good news is that integrative and botanical medicine does have solutions. Adaptogenic botanicals provide a gentle, sustainable source of nutrition for the adrenal glands, enabling the body to adapt to stress in a healthy way. These botanicals not only nourish the adrenal glands, but also support the inflammatory, immune, and nervous systems, which can be directly impacted by chronic stress.

Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root, has a rich history in European countries, where it is commonly known as brain root. It also has a traditional folk history of being able to increase physical performance and longevity, and reduce fatigue. Holy Basil has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to support a healthy response to stress, nourish the mind, and elevate the spirit. Ashwagandha, often referred to as Indian Ginseng, also supports mental endurance, promotes metabolic efficiency and immune support, and encourages an overall sense of well-being. These botanicals not only work when taken alone, but also provide a unique synergy when used together. When they’re used daily over time, the body will once again feel rejuvenated and will also be able to adapt to new stressors in a healthy manner.

Above Photo: Ashwagandha growing on the Gaia Herbs organic farm.