Herbal Dictionary, Herbal Remedies, Massage, Nutrition, Selfcare
Super Greens & Adaptogens
Aug
Busy lives often leave us overwhelmed and stressed. The body can’t distinguish between positive and negative stress; it only recognizes overstimulation, which impacts the nervous system and adrenal glands—especially during prolonged stress. When we don’t replenish, excess stress over time may lead to dis-ease. Since it’s challenging to always rest or eat well, incorporating super greens and adaptogens into your routine is practical. These plants, such as deep-rooted grasses and algae, provide nutrients that replenish the body’s reserves and nourish the organ systems.
Replenishing nutrient reserves is also crucial for individuals who exercise frequently and are physically active. If not, it can cause depletion, putting stress on the glands. Understand that athletes expend a significant amount of energy, which is depleting and must be replenished with essential minerals, electrolytes, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and especially antioxidants. Super greens and adaptogens are rich in B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzyme activators for digestion.
Are you aware of what stress looks like for you? Ask yourself:
- Do I get tired between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.?
- Do I easily get overwhelmed, cry easily, overreact, or get impatient?
- Do I get depressed?
- Do I suffer from anxiety?
- Do I worry too much?
- Do I have cold hands and/or feet?
- Am I tired and sluggish when I wake up in the morning?
- Do I have digestive problems: gas, bloating, irritated or inflamed bowels?
- Do I feel tired a lot?
- Do I sleep a lot?
- Do I have trouble sleeping?
- Do I get sick easily?
If you see yourself on this list, you may want to consider adjusting your diet by incorporating foods that are easy to digest and assimilate. Foods and drinks such as soups, stews, fresh and room-temperature vegetable juice, and room-temperature smoothies. For added nutrients, add a super green and adaptogen blend to smoothies, vegetable juice, or water.
I suffered from fatigue, sluggishness, lack of concentration, seasonal allergies, digestive issues, and poor circulation. Through dietary changes, super greens, and a liver blend. Over time, I had healed my digestion, and I no longer suffer from seasonal allergies, cold hands, and feet. Most of all, I have genuine energy and good focus.
| Alfalfa leaf | Kamut grass |
| Barley grass | Spirulina |
| Chlorella | Wheat grass |
Super Green Herbs are known to:
- Cleanse the blood and liver.
- Increase circulation
- Regulate blood sugar
- Aid in digestion
- Provide pre-biotic
- Help with healthy elimination.
- Provide lots of nutrients.
- Provide natural energy
Especially great for those who:
- Are tired or sluggish, especially upon rising and/or around 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Have cold hands and or feet.
- Hold tension in the body.
- Battle with water retention
- Have digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, and constipation.
- Have blood sugar issues; hypoglycemia.
- Feel irritable and/or clumsy.
- Have hormonal issues: PMS, menopause, andropause (men), adrenal exhaustion, thyroid imbalances, etc.
- Are anxious and nervous
Super Greens are rich in:
| Antioxidants | Amino acids |
| B Vitamins | Have adaptogenic properties |
| Minerals and Trace Minerals | Enzymes and Enzyme activators |
Adaptogen—What are they and why are they so important?
Adaptogens are herbs that help the body adapt to stress by normalizing body chemistry through increasing resistance to stress. This is done by replenishing the adrenal glands.
It is almost impossible to escape stress, but we can learn how to better cope and take care of ourselves when it becomes overwhelming.
There are different kinds of stress.
- Stress that comes from life, family, school, and work
- Stress from excessive exercise
- Stress from chemical substances in our air, water, beauty, personal hygiene products, and what we use in and around our homes.
If exposed to long-term stress, it affects the adrenal glands, liver, and digestion. The liver is the organ responsible for maintaining homeostasis throughout the body’s systems, as it produces the most powerful antioxidant in the body, Glutathione, which aids in clearing toxins and protecting our cells.
When exposed to excess toxins, it alters our hormones because chemical substances mimic estrogen, known as Xeno-estrogens. False estrogen creates a hormonal imbalance by placing stress on the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands… and the glands in the limbic system deep within the brain. Glands rely on hormone balance to communicate with one another, taking care of our body and mind.
The body is brilliant and transfers nutrients from one place to replenish another when there is enough in its stores to do so; if not, depletion may occur, leading to ill health.
Did you know it’s common to see thyroid problems when there are adrenal gland imbalances?
Some adaptogens are:
| Astragalus root | Maca root |
| Ashwagandha root | Siberian Ginseng |
| Schisandra berries | Ginseng |
The beauty of herbs is that they support glands and/or organs most in need.
Herbal Therapeutic Dictionary
The herbs listed in the herbal dictionary can easily be blended into a formula. The carrier/assisting herb is at the bottom with an asterisk.
| Alfalfa Leaf Medicago sativa – Part used: leaf stems, unopened flowers Taste: sweet/bitter Thermal energetic: neutral to cool Effective form: infusion, capsules, tincture, powder Properties: anti-inflammatory, rich in carotene, vitamin K, chlorophyll, amino acids, full-spectrum minerals, and trace minerals, very nutrient rich Medicinal use: especially good for the muscular skeletal system. Supports digestive and liver health. Help prevent tooth decay. Helps with arthritis, rheumatism, and osteoporosis. Stimulate the removal of inorganic mineral deposits from the blood, rich in vitamin K. Cautions: those on blood thinners need to ask their doctor before taking vitamin K-rich herbs. |
| Barley Grass Hordeum vulgare – Part used: stem Taste: sweet/salty Thermal energetic: cooling Effective form: fresh juiced, dried, powdered, tablets Properties: a very nutrient-rich plant, also known as a super green food, it is rich in chlorophyll, antioxidants, and is anti-aging. Medicinal use: Helps keep the immune system strong, neutralizes heavy metals like mercury, supports liver/blood health with its gentle cleansing properties, regulates blood sugar, and fresh juiced helps maintain healthy, strong cells, which are known to prevent cancer. Cautions: none |
| Chlorella – Part used: algae Taste sweet, salty, slightly bitter Thermal energetic: cooling Effective form: powder, tablet Properties: rich in vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. Medicinal use: neutralizes heavy metals like mercury, lead, and aluminum; cleanses the liver and blood; increases circulation; and is easy to assimilate, which strengthens digestion. |
| Kamut grass Triticum turgidum – Part used: stem Taste: bitter Thermal energetic: cool Effective form: juice or powder Medicinal use: rich in minerals and a good source of magnesium, selenium, zinc and iron, vitamins A, B, C and E, enzymes and chlorophyll. Gently cleanses the liver and blood, aids in digestion, rebuilds the blood, reduces free radical damage, supports and increases immunity. Supports fat metabolism and balances hormones. Reduces side effects of radiation therapy. |
| Spirulina Spirulina plantensis – Part used: whole organism as dried powder Taste: sweet, salty, slightly bitter Thermal energetic: cooling Effective form: power, tablets, capsule Properties: Rich in vitamins, especially B vitamins, anti-oxidants, especially beta carotene, minerals, especially calcium, trace minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and prebiotics; for healthy flora and rich in chlorophyll. Medicinal use: A prime immune supporter, it helps cleanse the blood, supports circulation, heart health, the liver, the thyroid, and the adrenal glands. |
| Wheatgrass Tritcum aestrvum – Part used: stem Taste bitter/sweet Thermal energetic: cool. Effective form: fresh juice, dried powder, tablets. Properties: rich in minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids. Medicinal use: Arthritis, constipation, rheumatism, hypertension, fatigue, hemorrhoids, premenstrual syndrome. It helps keep the immune system strong, neutralizes heavy metals such as mercury, provides liver/blood health through its gentle cleansing properties, and regulates blood sugar. |
| Astragalus Root: (Huang Chi) Astragalus membranaceus – Part Used: root Taste: sweet Thermal energetic: slightly warm Effective form: decoction of root, tincture, capsules. Properties: anti-viral, immune enhancer. Medicinal use: Organ toning and gland balancing herb especially for the spleen, kidneys, adrenals, and lungs. Astragalus is an Adaptogen that helps maintain good natural energy throughout the day, strengthens digestion, promotes wound and injury healing, and strengthens chronic lung conditions. Cautions: Best mixed in a formula for long-term use. High in selenium, which can be toxic in high doses for those living in areas with high selenium content in the soil. |
| *Ginger root Zingiber officinale – Part used: root Taste pungent Thermal energetic: warm Effective form: fresh, dried powder, capsules, tincture Properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, cordials dental anodynes, diaphoretics Medicinal use: Increases absorption of nutrients, increases circulation, helps with digestive issues; nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness and supports the body when it is cold or has a cold. |
- Linda Page, N.D. Ph.D How to Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist
- Leslie Tierra, L.Ac, Herbalist The Herbs of Life
- Michaela Tierra, C.A., N.D., L.Ac, O.M.D. The Way of Herbs
- Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac, Ph.D. Natural Therapy for Your Liver
- Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac, Ph.D. Medicinal Mushrooms and Exploration of Tradition, Healing and Culture