Hippocrates believed in a healthy body and adaptogens, like Schizandra, can help you get there!

The sound advice of Hippocrates to, “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food” rings as true today as ever. Rushing around to find the easy out to our ailments and lack of energy (instead of looking to nature and whole plant materials to find an answer) means we are missing out on what natural remedies can do for our entire bodies.  You may not be familiar with them but there is a group of herbs called adaptogens and they support our whole system, inside and out, the sort of thing Hippocrates was referring to. It’s not just support for your entire body…you won’t believe what else adaptogens have up their sleeves.

We have become accustomed to the idea of finding something over or behind the counter to fix a cold, ache or queasy stomach rather than looking to what we can find in our own kitchens or herb gardens.  Hanna once said that using herbs and foods “work without danger of poisoning the system. They are effective and handed down from mothers to daughters. These remedies are at hand and with the economic loss in every pocket, are inexpensive.” What happened to using food and herbs as a way to heal ourselves without harmful side effects?

Can we ever move away from the quick fix mentality? I think so but we have to turn our focus from “magical” pills and utilize the healing properties of what nature has produced and man continues to copy.  The most effective gift from nature with a wide range of benefits and a tradition reaching back thousands of years are the adaptogens.

The Basics on Adaptogens

Ginseng Root is one of the most powerful adaptogens.

“Adaptogen” is a term used by herbalists to refer to a natural herb product that is proposed to increase the body’s resistance to stress, trauma, anxiety and fatigue! In the past they have been called rejuvenating herbs as they are useful in treating imbalances of the body, assist in getting better sleep, help you ward off illness by boosting your immune system and increase energy and mental clarity. While prescription drugs remain in your system and often effect various organs, once the job of the adaptogen is complete, those herbs are eliminated or incorporated into the body without side effects.  

Adaptogens are only now gaining a great momentum in the US but have been a favored group of herbs by Asians for thousands of years.  What makes an herb adaptogenic?

1. Nontoxic to the user; non-habit forming.
2. Generates a nonspecific response (doesn’t target a specific body region and instead benefits the body as a whole).
3. Creates a state of balance/homeostasis.

Reishi Mushroom are delicious and are adaptogens!

The basis of adaptogenic herbs is rooted in the thought that “The whole is only as strong as the sum of its parts.” It is counterproductive to treat only a symptom of an illness rather than treating the whole body and that’s why adaptogens are so powerful. Adaptogens generally work by strengthening the immune system, nervous system and/or glandular systems. In herbs like Schizandra (used for thousands of years and NOW on our shelves!), Reishi Mushrooms, Ginseng, Maca and Licorice Root, benefits for the entire body can be attained. When used in a daily regimen these herbs allow you to stay healthy, stable and happy and have even been used to treat not only stress related conditions but also have been effective in allergy and asthma reduction!

Adaptogens work to increase your body’s own ability to fight off illness before it sets in, a direct contrast to modern drugs which “attack” specific disease symptoms after you’re thoroughly sick.  As we become more aware of the healthful benefits of these herbs, we are more excited about the value they provide our lives and hope you will consider their value to your health as well.  For example, we recently learned that adaptogens are useful in helping our bodies cope with the imbalances that come from environmental pollutants. Whether the effects of radiation or daily smog are a concern for you, adaptogenic herbs can play a role in keeping you healthy.

The introduction of adaptogens into your diet is an easy way to not only prepare for cold and flu season in your home but can also help you fight the winter blues, keep you feeling energized and alert and help you maintain a balance in mind and body year round.  In most cases, experiencing the healthful benefits from adaptogens takes time; your body needs your patience. While adaptogens seem like wonder herbs, they are not a cure-all and if you are currently taking prescription drugs you should speak with your doctor before beginning a daily regimen including them.

Be sure to head to our website and take advantage of our sister company, Kroeger Herb’s, newest  Complete Concentrate of Schizandra, the most powerful adaptogen on the market! 

Licorice Root is useful for so many ailments and is also an adaptogen!

Maca Root is a powerful adaptogen for men and women.

Share on Facebook

 Consider these 4 tips on how to get your immune system in check before the cold and flu season hits close to your home:

 1. Remain Active– Did you know that exercising for only 30 minutes a day is not only good for your health but also productivity and mood? With the change in the seasons, 30 minutes of exercise is attainable without having to put too much thought into it. Rake leaves, go for a walk with your family, visit a pumpkin patch or corn maze! Don’t think you have 30 minutes a day to give to exercise? You do! A study by VibrantLife has found that breaking up the 30 minutes into 10 minute sections still provides the same benefits. What are you waiting for?

 2. Boost your body’s immunity the natural way– Supplying defense for your immune system is easier than you may think. The Immune Defender Kit contains a bottle of Olive Leaf Herbal Combination, one bottle of Echinacea Complete Concentrate, and one bottle of Garlic Complete Concentrate. When our bodies are invaded by bad bacteria, germs and viruses, The Immune Defender Kit acts as the one-two punch bodyguard we need! An amazing thing about this kit is that you can be as creative as you want with the dosage; any combination of these natural herbs will provide an excellent source of support for your immune system. 

3. Hydration is Key–Help keep your body functioning at peak condition by staying hydrated. While water is best, you and your family can also consider natural and organic fruit and vegetable juices to add some variety.

 4. Rest–After a busy or stressful day, a long week at work, or even during a sickness, our bodies send signals that it’s time to rest. How often are these signals ignored? When we choose to complete one more task or errand and deny our bodies rest, chances are, we wake the next morning feeling worse than the day before. Being in tune with your body and giving it the rest it needs will help to ward off illness and allow healing. Trouble sleeping? Choose a natural tea to aide in falling asleep faster. Kroeger’s SLP Tea combines hops flower, linden flower, lemon balm leaf, orange flower and poppy flower to help you sleep without any chemicals.

 There are many avenues that lead to good health and we hope our tips and natural products will help keep you and your family active and able to enjoy this amazing season full of changes in color and weather.

Share on Facebook

While those are excellent choices, constantly using the same approach, can eventually lead to patterns that will start to open up breaks in your immune defense. Here is an analogy for you. Say you are in the boxing ring and fighting against a real tough contender.  You have been able to win a few rounds by focusing on hitting your opponent with a series of right handed punches. Since this method seems to be working, you keep it up. After awhile though this tough competitor starts to expect those right hooks and starts to block those punches enabling some return shots to your own body. After suffering for a spell you decide to try to mix up your punches a little. Suddenly you once again gain the upper hand and are able to knock out the challenger to your health and wellbeing and exit the ring with some new strategies for the next time someone is spoiling for a fight.

Get Some New Tricks Up Your Sleeve for Immunity

Don't just rely on that right hook! Several herbs are useful in boosting your body's immune defenses.

Just like the prize fighter, it is a good idea to have a few extra tricks up your sleeve when you have a malicious enemy challenging your good health. In addition to Echinacea and Vitamin C, some other great immune builders are Olive Leaf, and Garlic. I like to tell my friends to try different approaches to immune building to stay on top of their game. Using different herbs as well as staying physically active are a great start.

We also have some great Hanna Kroeger formulas specifically targeting parts of the body most often hit by seasonal malaise. Sinus Blend, Black Radish & Parsley for the throat and Lung Formula are particularly effective.

Remember to get creative with your approach to keeping healthy and the prize of good health can be yours! Choosing a special combination of immune boosting herbs can help you fight off illness year round. Don’t just think about prevention and addressing sickness in the winter or fall–the need to boost your immune system is a year round goal!

Share on Facebook