Boost your fall with adaptogenic plants!

by Stéphanie Mezerai, naturopath, trainer in naturopathy and author

Fall Naturopathic Tips

Turn to a slightly more frugal and seasonal diet. Both qualitatively by consuming organic products, favoring fruits and vegetables, and quantitatively by consuming simple products in reasonable quantities.

Respect your sleep needs: go to bed 30 minutes earlier at first.

Get back in motion gently : practicing a sport is essential, but in this season the body calls for a little more softness. Why not go for a walk in the forest? Take long walks at the weekend and get some air

Take advantage of the daylight hours that are still available: do a bit of sunbathing every day for a few minutes during the cooler hours.

Reinforcement with adaptogenic plants!

All adaptogenic herbs work on stress tolerance and help support the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys, are two endocrine glands that play an essential role in the synthesis of a vital hormone, cortisol, and in the body's response to stress. Adaptogenic plants offer, in the most natural way possible, protection against the multiple attacks that our metabolism must manage on a daily basis.

They have the ability to improve the body's resistance to stress and to maintain cognitive functions, by acting when it is useful, where it is useful, unlike a drug which will always have the same effect, understood when he is not welcome.

Through their regulatory effect, they allow our body to cope with multiple changes in our environment, internal and external, acting before any imbalance affects our health. Stress does not turn into anxiety, fatigue does not turn into exhaustion.

They will serve as "crutches" and can help you slow down without making you "laplapla". Adaptogenic plants have the virtue of being able to regulate the "pluses" and "minuses" of your body.

• If you have too much energy , and difficulties to "let go", they will allow you to find a restful and quality sleep.
  
  
• If you lack energy , they will give you a little boost without weakening your adrenal glands like coffee will for example.
  
  
• If your fatigue and your stress make your body sensitive to the surrounding viruses , they will allow your body to have good immunity by fighting against chronic stress which weakens the immune system. 

Reishi : fight against allergies and strengthen the lungs

According to traditional Chinese medicine, autumn is the season during which the lungs are the most active but also the most reactive. Reishi is therefore perfect in this period because it has a strong connection with the lungs . It has an extraordinary effect on asthma, chronic bronchitis, cough and shortness of breath. This mushroom has great adaptogenic virtues.

Reishi is interesting at seasonal changes and during periods of stress or fatigue. This mushroom is also called the "mushroom of eternal life" because it acts mainly to regenerate the liver and therefore to detoxify it. It also acts through the high proportion of anti-inflammatory triterpenes.

Reishi is one of the most important mushrooms in allergies of all kinds, because the triterpenes it contains reduce the release of histamine .

It regulates the immune system and will support organism allowing it to fight even in viral diseases such as herpes and shingles. It is able to stimulate the immune system by strengthening the body's defenses against various attacks.

It is also very effective in fighting infections . This anti-infective activity is linked to its immunostimulant activity, but would also be linked to its antibacterial and antiviral properties.

To sum up, reishi will:

• Support the activity of the lungs in this autumn period,
• Support the immune system by making it strong,
• Reduce the production of histamine and the resulting allergies,
• Fight against viral and bacterial infections,
• Regenerate and detoxify the liver.

To be found in Immunity .

Astragalus : supporting immunity

Astragalus has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant properties. This makes it a plant of choice to support the immune system. Astragalus has immunomodulatory properties. It is able to stimulate the immune system in the short term, to regulate and moderate its functioning when taken over a longer period.

Its antioxidant properties allow it to lower the production of free radicals and increase the cellular production of a powerful antioxidant, superoxide dismutase.

Its antibacterial and antiviral action acts directly against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.

To sum up, the Astragalus will allow you to:

• Support the immune system by modulating it,
• Fight against free radicals,
• Fight against viral and bacterial infections.

To be found in Immunity .

The Sacred Basil (Tulsi) : anti-depression and joie de vivre

Holy Basil is a very interesting adaptogenic herb. It purifies, clarifies, lightens body and mind. This is what makes it a plant perfectly indicated against the misdeeds of our modern way of life, because the Holy Basil gives the strength to our spirit to resist stress in all its forms.

It is a plant that helps in the preparation of a good restful sleep, and allows to keep the joy. It is a perfect plant in this autumn period!

To sum up, the Sacred Basil will:

• Have a clear and sharp mind,
• Find the joy of living,
• fight depression,
• Have a recuperative and qualitative sleep,
• Support your adrenal capital.

To be found in Serenity .

Rhodiola : the most complete

Rhodiola is an adaptogenic plant with a very wide range of action . It will allow you to find energy without exhausting you as much as coffee could do for example.

It will be useful in case of physical but also mental fatigue that we often encounter in autumn. It has the ability to regulate our emotions and our moods because it has an action on dopamine, serotonin among others. It therefore has many virtues, and will allow you to:

• Fight against physical and mental fatigue
• Regulate sleep
• Fight against anxiety, depression
• Allow better adaptation to daily life and change of pace
• Support memory and concentration
• Fight against stress and overwork (periods of exams or intensive work)

To be found in L'Équilibre .

Find all the precautions for use and contraindications for each adaptogenic plant on the relevant product sheets: Immunity for Astragalus and Reishi, Serenity for Sacred Basil and Balance for Rhodiola. Also remember to seek medical advice if you are undergoing treatment.

--

Stéphanie Mezerai , naturopath, trainer in naturopathy and author of the book "The superpowers of adaptogenic plants" ed. Leduc | naturopathy82.fr