For many, life is busy which can cause us to feel over-whelmed, “stressed out”! The body does not recognize good or negative stress, it recognizes an over-stimulation which affects the nervous system and adrenal glands. This is especially true for those with long-term stress. Either or, if we are not replenishing, over time too much stress can cause dis-ease. Since life is busy and we don’t always have the time to eat properly or rest enough, this is the time to drink super greens and adaptogens. Certain herbs contain an array of nutrient which easily help the body replenish its nutrient reserves nourishing all organs and body systems and those plants are deep-rooted grasses, algae and adaptogens.
Replenishing nutrients reserves is also very important for those who exercise a lot and are athletic. If not it can cause depletion putting stress on the glands. Understand athletes use a lot of energy which is depleting and must be replenished with minerals, electrolytes, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and especially antioxidants. Super greens and adaptogen are rich in B vitamins, 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, over reactive, 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 upon rising in the morning?
- Do I have digestive problems; gas, bloating, irritated or inflamed bowels?
- Do I feel tried a lot?
- Do I sleep a lot?
- Do I have a hard time sleeping?
- Do I get sick easily?
If you see yourself on this list, you may want to adjust your diet by eating foods that are easy to digest and assimilate. Foods and drinks such as soups, stews, fresh room temperature vegetables juice and room temperature smoothies. For added nutrients add super green and adaptogen blend into smoothies or vegetable juice or in 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. In time I had healed my digestion, I no longer suffer from seasonal allergies, cold hands and feet and 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; bloating, gas, constipation etc.
- 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?
Adaptogen are herbs that help the body adapt to stress by normalizing body chemistry through increasing the resistance to stress. This is done by replenishing the adrenal glands.
It is almost impossible to get away from stress but we can learn how to better cope and take care of ourselves when there is too much.
There are different kinds of stress
- Stress that comes from life family, school, 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 home.
If exposed to long-term stress, it affects the adrenal glands, liver and digestion. The liver is the organ for maintaining homeostasis throughout our body’s systems because 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 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 amongst one another taking care of our body and mind.
The body is brilliant and takes from one place to replenish another when there is enough in its stores to do so, if not, depletion may occur, creating 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.
The herbs listed in the herbal dictionary can easily be blended into a formula. The carrier/assisting herb is at the bottom with an asterick.
Herbal Therapeutic Dictionary
| Alfalfa Leaf medicago sativa – Part Used: leaf stems, unopened flowers Taste: sweet/bitter Energy:neutral to cool Effective Form: infusion, capsules, tincture, powered 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 removal or 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 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 such as mercury, provides liver/blood health through its gentle cleansing properties, regulates blood sugar, fresh juiced helps keep healthy strong cells which is known to prevent cancer. Cautions: none |
| Chlorella – part Used: algae Taste slightly bitter Energetic: cooling Effective form: powder, table Properties: rich in vitamins, minerals, trace mineral, enzymes and amino acids. Medicinal Use: neutralizes heavy metals such as mercury, lead and aluminum, cleanses the liver and blood, increases circulation and is easy to assimilate which strengthens digestion. |
| Kamut grass – Part Used: stem Taste: bitter 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 Effective Form: power, tablets, capsule Energetics: cooling 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, helps cleanse the blood, supports circulation, heart health, the liver and the thyroid and adrenal glands. |
| Wheatgrass tritcum aestrvum – Part Used: stem Taste bitter/sweet Energetic: cool. Effective form fresh juice, dried powder, tablets Properties: rich in minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids. Medicinal Use: Arthritis, constipation, rheumatism, hypertension, fatigue, hemorrhoids, premenstrual syndrome. 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 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 a Adaptogen which helps maintain good natural energy throughout the day, strengthens digestion, promotes wound and injury healing, 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 who live in areas which have a high selenium content in the soil. |
| *Ginger root zingiber officinale – Part Used: root Taste pungent 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. |
I learned how to use herbs in my life by seeing practitioners who were also herbalist and taking herbal classes. I purchased reference books with herbal dictionaries (Materia Medica) and how to blend a formula. We can all learn how to use food and herbs for good health!
- 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