Adaptogens are non-toxic plants native to the Amazon with a range of incredible health benefits. This family of herbs and roots are considered herbal powerhouses around the world and have a long history of use by Indigenous groups. Amazon adaptogens are renowned for their ability to introduce a sense of calmness to one’s body, and many users utilize theses natural healers to balance hormones. Adaptogens may be small in size, but these powerful plants have a lot to offer.

Natural Stress Relievers

Amazon adaptogens are renowned for their natural ability to relieve stress and encourage an overall healthy body. Adaptogens work by interacting with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathoadrenal system – two systems in our bodies directly influencing how our body responds to stress. When consumed, Amazon adaptogens can alter hormone production and physiological responses to stress, encouraging a well-functioning system and an overall healthy body.

An example of a stress-relieving adaptogen is passion fruit. Passion fruit is a common Amazon adaptogen known for its calming properties. This tropical fruit has been incorporated into a number of Indigenous food systems for centuries and for good reason. Passion fruit is a natural stress and anxiety reducer and is used as a sedative or calming tonic. Paired with its high nutrient count, passion fruit is a vibrant adaptogen that brings a number of benefits to the table. It doesn’t hurt that it taste delicious, too!

Relaxed Muscle and Better Sleeps

Sore and tense muscles bring additional stress to our lives, and in extreme cases can disrupt our sleep schedule. Luckily, Amazon adaptogens can be used to calm active muscles and provide much needed relief after a tense day. Various adaptogens have been used for centuries to relieve sore muscles and encourage relaxation, as these plants provide much needed calm to an overexcited nervous system.

For those suffering from fitful sleeps, Amazon adaptogens can help with that too! Sleep is essential to a healthy body and without enough of it, our bodies struggle to find and maintain proper balance. Amazon adaptogens like the passionflower have sedative qualities that relax twitching and relieve tension in muscles. This hardworking flower can also promote deeper and more restful sleeps. Indigenous peoples have used adaptogens for centuries to provide relief for a variety of ailments, and these natural remedies provide much needed relief without a long list of side effects common to commercial medications.

Balancing Hormones

What role do Amazon adaptogens play in balancing our hormones? When our bodies adapt to stress, we are able to perform and feel better even with stressors acting against our bodies. This not only promotes overall physical health, but it also works to improve mental health as well. When we become stressed, our adrenal gland releases cortisol as a boost of energy that prepares us for an emergency. Unfortunately, too much too often can have negative impacts on our bodies.

Amazon adaptogens can help our bodies respond to stress in a healthy and sustainable way. Adaptogens like Catuaba and Marapuama have been used for centuries by Indigenous groups as powerful tonics that balance and strengthen overall body functions. In the same vein, Suma root is another useful adaptogen that is renowned for its ability to balance blood sugar levels and strengthen our immune systems. There are a number of adaptogens that can have positive impacts on our bodies, and finding perfect balance comes from maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet.

Finding Balance with Amazon Adaptogens

Amazon adaptogens are considered to have magical healing powers, and with their impressive list of health benefits it is no mystery how they achieved this status. Adaptogens can be used for a variety of health purposes. To get the most from these natural powerhouses, it is a good idea to research the different plants, their uses, and recommended consumption amounts. While adaptogens are full of benefits for our bodies, these herbal remedies are not cure-alls nor can they replace a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Being mindful of our bodies and taking care of both our physical and mental health is a priority for us all and Amazon adaptogens can lend a helping hand along the way.