Adaptogens are a group of plants and herbs that have been used for centuries around the world for their health-giving and body-balancing properties. Adaptogens help your body to adapt to stress and anxiety and play a vital role in restoring homeostasis.

Adaptogens can help your body adapt to life's ups and downs and can help our bodies to respond to, and recover from, physical and mental stresses. Some adaptogens also boost immunity. Adaptogens have been shown to be effective in fighting fatigue, increasing brain power, improving mental health and mood, and helping you to unlock your full potential. They can also be particularly helpful for those going through the menopause who want to cut out the mood swings.

So how can adaptogens help you to reduce stress , relieve anxiety and feel like the best version of you? Which adaptogens should you be incorporating into your diet or supplement regimen?

Here are some of our favourite adaptogens for reducing stress and anxiety.

The benefits of ashwagandha are vast, and it has long been touted for its stress reducing effects. The Ayurvedic herb works to inhibit the production of cortisol, the hormone produced by your adrenal glands in times of stress. A daily dose of 600mg as formulated in LYMA has been shown to reduce cortisol levels by up to 35% in just six weeks.

LYMA contains a patented form of the adaptogen Sensoril® ashwagandha, which is a highly bioavailable full spectrum strain of the extract. Sensoril® ashwagandha has been cultivated to retain all the natural constituents of the herb in the original balance.

Supplementing with Sensoril® ashwagandha has been shown to reduce anxiety and fatigue, boost mood, enhance brain health and reduce inflammation.

In many Asian countries, goji berries are loved for their proclivity to improve stamina, boost mood and enhance well-being. Incorporating goji berries into your diet can also help to reduce stress and inhibit anxiety. They are also a potent aphrodisiac.

In addition to banishing anxiety, goji berries are also said to improve vision, improve focus and productivity and increase longevity. Furthermore, due to their high vitamin C content, regular consumption of goji berries can enhance the appearance of skin and protect against premature ageing.

The adrenal glands are responsible for producing both cortisol and adrenaline (what we commonly refer to as the ‘fight or flight’ response). When stress is ongoing and unabating, it can leave the adrenal gland exhausted by having to constantly produce these hormones. Liquorice root can be eaten or taken in supplement form, and can work to provide the adrenal glands with some relief from incessant hormone production; liquorice root extract effectively takes over the reins and stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol and adrenaline in perfect harmony, therefore promoting an optimal level of cortisol and adrenaline in the blood.

The result of this herbal ‘take-over’ is that your body and mind feel less stressed out, less overworked, and more calm and balanced. The physiological effects of taking liquorice root will have a knock-on effect on your mood, making you feel less stressed and anxious.

When someone says ‘inflammation’, turmeric is one of the first remedies that comes to mind. Stress, anxiety and inflammation all go hand-in-hand. Inflammation can cause stress and anxiety and, on the flip side, prolonged periods of anxiety and stress can lead to inflammation.

Curcumin - the active compound in turmeric - has been shown to pack a powerful punch in the fight against stress and inflammation. The issue with the curcumin in turmeric, however, is that it is not readily absorbed by the body. In fact, studies suggest that as much as 95% of the curcumin in turmeric passes through the body unmetabolised.

LYMA contains HydroCurc®, the most bioavailable and effective form of curcumin known to scientists and available on the market today. HydroCurc® is 250% more bioavailable than the curcumin you’ll be able to absorb from your turmeric latte. If you want to kick stress, improve your resistance to anxiety and feel better today, then HydroCurc® as formulated at 250mg in LYMA could be your secret weapon.

Whether the source of your stress is physical, chemical or emotional, holy basil could help you to banish it. Holy basil, or Tulsi in Hindu language, meaning ‘the incomparable one’, was reported by the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine to have antidepressant qualities comparable to prescription antidepressant drugs.

People who drank Tulsi tea every day reported feeling happier, less anxious and more sociable. Furthermore, they experienced increased libido, reduced mental fog and improved memory. Studies in animals have shown improved speed and stamina, and enhanced metabolism when supplementing with Tulsi.

Ayurvedic practitioners recommend that you steep the leaves in boiling water and consume the adaptogen as a tea (the act of which can be soothing and meditative in itself), but be warned the leaves are fairly bitter. If you don’t enjoy the taste then you can take Tulsi in capsule form.

Learning to manage stress can feel like a challenge in itself due to the copious and conflicting information available and, ironically, can lead to more stress and anxiety that ‘you’re not doing it right’. By supplementing with LYMA you can’t go wrong. Our combination of peer-reviewed patented ingredients are in a class of their own. Formulated by the best in the business, and with your health in mind, the nootropics included in LYMA can help you to beat stress and anxiety once and for all. LYMA is here to help you experience life in balance, and to allow you to thrive when you need it most.