Rhodiola

Let’s face it, we're pretty stressed. That may mean that we struggle to maintain balance in our over-stimulated and fast-paced culture. When we are chronically stressed, our body struggles to keep up with the demands of our life, leading to illness, mood disorders, physical ailments, and overall poor health. However, what if there was a natural way to better adapt to life’s stressors and become more resilient in the face of adversity? Enter adaptogens! Used for thousands of years in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adaptogens are plants, herbs and mushrooms that help counteract the harmful effects of stress. Called adaptogens due to their unique ability to “adapt” their function according to your body’s specific needs, they can help heal a host of health issues or simply help ease stress by bringing the body back into balance (otherwise known as homeostasis). Why is this important? In order for our bodies to thrive, we must have a constant internal environment. This means that everything from our body temperature, blood sugar levels, and water content must be controlled and balanced for our cells and bodily systems to function optimally. When we’re exposed to life’s stressors our homeostasis is disrupted, and so are the systems of the body. Adaptogens can help improve our resistance to stress (emotional stress, physical trauma or injury, illness, fatigue, pollution) and normalize our body’s functions. This allows us to maintain a more regular state of homeostasis for optimal health. How do adaptogens work? Our stress levels and response are controlled by a system of glands called the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The central nervous system helps regulate and normalize the HPA axis to help us better cope with stress. Adaptogens ease stress response by releasing Hsp70 and Hsp72 (1), which are "stress sensor" proteins. This helps the central nervous system come out of fight-or-flight mode and back into a balanced state. Without easing our stress response, our bodies can either be over-functioning or under-functioning, often leading to neurodegeneration, chronic inflammation, and even cancer. The benefits of using adaptogens on a regular basis: Improved quality and quantity of sleep Boosted energy (without the crash you get from caffeine) Improved emotional well-being and resiliency Increased concentration and cognitive function Balanced stress and sex hormones Normalized digestive functioning Strengthened immune system Increased detoxification and liver health Stronger resistance to stress Start by adding your favourite adaptogen into your morning smoothie and observe the improvements you may feel. Remember, adaptogens can help make lasting changes to your health, but it won’t happen overnight. When you stay consistent, keep up with your self-care practice, and make small, sustainable changes you can create your healthiest, most joyful lifestyle. Learn more about our adaptogens

Origins of the Reishi Mushroom Reishi Mushrooms – “The mushroom of immortality” – Also known as “ Lingzhi” in Chinese. A powerful superfood in the family of medicinal mushrooms, Reishi mushrooms are well known for their various health benefits and ancient history spanning back in history over 2000 years ago. Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for its potent healing properties, Reishi mushrooms are found in wooded areas in Asia, Japan, Korean and China. There are various types of Reishi mushrooms ( most commonly noted by the colour ), and generally, the kind you find in supplementation form found in red, green and black. Reishi mushrooms are grown above ground, commonly found on trees, and it is in the connective strands “ mycelium” where the nutrients are. What does Reishi do? For many years, Reishi mushrooms have been found in powder form, tinctures, extracts and even teas. With a wide range of nutrient benefits, Reishi mushrooms have taken on the role of an immune-boosting powerhouse for various health concerns and proven to be beneficial to bringing our body back to homeostasis. With its fantastic detoxification features, Reishi not only provides a rich source of anti-oxidant properties, but it also helps restore our liver and help regenerate new cells. It has been shown to also lower the effects of cortisol ( our stress hormone ) and its impact on our body with its adaptogenic properties. Often when our body is under stress and even inflammation, we will notice a depletion of energy stores, hormonal imbalances and even inflammation. Reishi is excellent for helping bring balance to those hormones, produce a calming and sedative state in our body, therefore aiding in sleep problems as well as lowering blood pressure and high cholesterol levels thus also making it nourishing support to our heart. Benefits of the Reishi Mushroom Reishi has many different health benefits. However, the main advantage is its powerful effect on our immune system. It helps to modify and regulate our immune system by increasing our immunity as well as lowering it when needed. Reishi helps improve the “ overall” general health of our immune system due to the polysaccharides and triterpenes that are found in them. These constituents contribute to our bodies ability to turn off the allergic response – think histamine is, therefore, providing allergy relief of various forms. Researchers have found that not only does Reishi mushrooms improve our immunity, detoxify our liver and provide adaptogenic effects in our body, they are also highly anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory. With these powerhouse nutritional benefits, it is no wonder that Reishi is nicknamed “ the king of mushrooms” as the benefits and traditional history speaks for itself. Organika's Red Reshi captures the Traditional Chinese methods with the innovative quality and extraction process, enhancing the medicinal benefits and enhancing your health. -Chelan Wilkins, RHN- Busy mother of two, and Organika’s National Education Trainer.

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian Ginseng, is a root traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to help reduce stress, improve mood (1), and increase energy levels. Native to India and North Africa, this small, shrub-like plant with yellow flowers is considered a Rasayana in ayurvedic medicine, meaning ‘path of essence.’ Rasayana refers to the science of increasing longevity, and ashwagandha is known to help increase longevity due to its powerful compounds. The herb’s adaptogenic properties help the body adapt to stress and become more resilient to life’s challenges, while supporting overall mind-body balance. Here’s how it can help you on your path to wellness: 1. Helps balance mood Ashwagandha helps to reduce oxidative degradation (2) that causes cellular tissue damage to the thyroid. Since the thyroid is responsible for many of our emotional hormones, a balanced thyroid creates a positive effect on our mood. Ashwagandha can also help to soothe the hypothalamus, which can increase our feelings of happiness and well-being. 2. Supports a healthy immune system Ashwagandha’s antioxidants help to protect cells from free radical damage, which can catalyze illness, aging, inflammation, and autoimmunity. The herb’s’ antioxidant properties boost the immune system to promote longevity, help to prevent disease, and even support slowing the aging process. 3. Helps reduce anxiety When we’re stressed, or when our blood sugar levels get low, our adrenal glands produce a stress hormone called cortisol. Studies (3) show that this herb helps calm anxiety by reducing cortisol levels and soothing the central nervous system. 4. May curb food cravings Ashwagandha can balance the thyroid, which helps control your metabolism and promote the maintenance of a healthy weight. It’s also been linked to balancing blood sugar levels which can help minimize blood sugar fluctuations and energy spikes. A recent study (4) showed how ashwagandha can even help reduce food cravings and decrease excessive food consumption linked to stress. 5. Can improve memory and brain function In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is used for mind-rejuvenation. The herb’s many antioxidants and anti-microbial properties are shown to benefit cognitive function (5), such as focus, memory, and concentration. Try our Ashwagandha capsules or our Mood Organic Ashwagandha Powder to improve your mood, energy, and resistance to stress.