

Everything You Need To Know About Adaptogens
As a woman living the modern life––balancing career, love, and family––we soon begin to get serious about self-care. Whether feeling the anxiety of an approaching deadline, carrying the load of stress that is parenting, or battling a relationship rut, we often find ourselves bogged down by a state of strain or tension. Fortunately for us, modern-day medicine is here to save the day!
Meet adaptogens, the latest buzzword in health and wellness. Used for centuries in Chinese and ancient Indian healing, these herbs and roots are said to aid you in omitting life's mini-meltdowns and so much more. Here's what you need to know:
What TF Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens, in layman's terms, are non-toxic herbs and roots that come in a variety of forms––each containing powerful properties for combating life's common woes.
What’s All The Hype Around Adaptogens?
It's no secret that stress-related health illnesses have reached an all-time high in the United States. In fact, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) report showed nearly half of all Americans use at least one prescription drug and one in six are taking upwards of three or more medications. Tack on the use of energy drinks––an obnoxious dose of caffeine and sugar––to put some pep in our step and we've reached epidemic proportions!
So, whether you're prepping for a week of meetings, channeling your inner soccer mom, or studying for finals, adaptogens––known for fighting fatigue, easing depression, anxiety, and boosting overall wellbeing––may be the key to getting you through.
How Do You Implement Adaptogens Into Your Diet?
Take in the morning along with your multivitamin, eat with a meal or brew into your go-to tea of the herbal variety. No matter your poison, here are our top picks for adding adaptogens into your diet.
7 Adaptogens To Add To Your Diet
1. American Ginseng
Comes in handy for those yearning to boost their immune system as well as their working memory and reaction time.
2. Brain Dust
Powered by Moon Juice, this supplement claims to "enhance focus and mental stamina, promote mental clarity, promote a positive mind and mood, and alleviate the effects of stress."
3. Holy Basil
Chocked full of vitamin A and C, calcium, zinc, iron, and chlorophyll, studies support the use of the entire plant as it reduces stress, sexual problems, sleep deprivation, forgetfulness, and exhaustion.
4. Licorice Root
Used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, licorice root is best known for treating skin inflammation and infections like eczema, kill bacteria causing tooth decay, and much more.
5. Moon Juice Sex Dust
Sex Dust is a blend of Shatavari, Shilajit, Epimedium, Schisandra, Cacao and Maca said to target stress and support healthy hormonal balance. The best part? Combined, this concoction is believed to ignite libido and increase energy in the bedroom.
6. Turmeric
Also known as the spice that gives delicious curry its yellow color, when consumed with curcumin, this medicinal herb kicks inflammation to the curb.
7. Siberian Ginseng
Native to Japan and northern China, among others, research suggests this herb may help improve fight-or-flight stress responses, improve sexual health and increase nervous system function.
Though, there's been little testing on human subjects. As with any supplement, adaptogens may have side effects. So, do your research and contact your healthcare provider before beginning a new herbal regimen.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
I Had Chronic BV Until I Said Goodbye To Antibiotics And Hello To Holistic Health
How I Healed My Uterine Fibroids The Holistic Way
10 Healthy Holistic Practices That Promote Mental Wellness
The 7 Supplements That TOTALLY Changed My Life
Featured image by Shutterstock.
Did you know that xoNecole has a podcast? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to join us for weekly convos over cocktails (without the early morning hangover.)
- Adaptogens: Complete Guide To Healing Herbs ›
- The Ultimate Guide to Adaptogens: Everything You Need to Know ... ›
- 147: Everything You Need to Know About Adaptogens Explained on ... ›
- Everything you need to know about adaptogens | PRANA ›
- Everything You Need to Know About Adaptogens - Alaya Naturals ›
- What You Need to Know About Adaptogens, Herbals, and Their ... ›
- What Are Adaptogens? Healing Herbs for Stress and Fatigue | Time ›
- Everything You Need to Know About Adaptogens | Nutrition Stripped ›
- Everything You Need To Know About Adaptogens | Sakara Life ›
- Adaptogens: Everything you need to know, exlained | Well+Good ›
Lover of tacos and a killer jacket. Keanu Reeves is bae. Mother of two amazingly awesome children. I live by one rule: Don't be a Richard. Follow me on Instagram @truthhawkins.
Black women are not a monolith. We all are deserving of healing and wholeness despite what we've been through, how much money we have in the bank, or what we look like. Most importantly, we are enough—even when we are not working, earning, or serving.
Welcome to Black Girl Whole, your space to find the wellness routine that aligns with you! This brand-new marketplace by xoNecole is a safe space for Black women to activate their healing, find the inspiration to rest, and receive reassurance that we are one small act away from finding our happiness.
Want to discover where you are on your wellness journey? You don't have to look far. In partnership with European Wax Center, we're bringing you a customized wellness quiz to help you up your wellness game. Answer our short series of questions to figure out which type of wellness lover you are, what you need to bring more balance into your life, and then go deeper by shopping products geared towards clearing your mind, healing your body, and soothing your spirit.
Ready to get whole? Take our quiz now!
Ariel B's "This Too Shall Pass" Podcast Is Healing For Single Moms Everywhere
32-year-old social media influencer and mother of five, Ariel B, did not set out to tell her story; but it was her truth that set her free. Her truth is also the inspiration for her new podcast "This Too Shall Pass," produced by Idea To Launch Productions. The podcast delves into Ariel's life and journey as a single parent and a domestic violence survivor. But it also serves as a window into her past traumas that have fostered her resilience.
In an exclusive interview with xoNecole, Ariel B. reveals that her online following grew after she decided to share the realistic, non-curated parts of her life on social media at the advice of her therapist. "Growing up, I was taught to hide things that made you seem less than," she says. "I didn't mind speaking at the shelter for women and children. I didn't mind speaking in my domestic violence group with other women, but I was ashamed to talk about it with people that I felt had a perfect life. So [my therapist] said 'No, you need to get used to telling your story. If you don't like it or you feel some kind of way, just delete it.' I started first on Instagram, and that was probably the first time I dipped my toe in the social media world of telling the truth."
Ariel's followers became inspired by her honest and raw day-in-the-life perspective: the days when she would be over her budget, her kids' rooms wouldn't be the tidiest, or when she'd be running late for pick-ups and drop-offs. Her relatability made single mothers everywhere feel seen, but there's much more to life Ariel's story that she's found the bravery to open up about.
The Florida native had her first child when she was 16 years old. Growing up in a middle-class suburban family, she says she felt judged by family and peers for having children out of wedlock. "I already had two kids before I got married," she says. "And when I got married, I think that was my parents' sigh of relief. Like, oh my gosh, she's finally married. She's not a single mother of two. She should be safe. It was a disaster."
Ariel says marriage was great in the beginning. Her ex-husband presented himself as loving and was a proud stepfather to her two children. After welcoming two more children with her ex-husband, she says that's when the problems started. "We were arguing all the time. The finances were bad. And then it got to the point where he was consuming a lot of alcohol all the time," she says. "And when the alcohol got bad, it got physical. I was embarrassed. I just invited all of my family to this wedding and everyone's so happy that I'm married, but I'm miserable."
Ariel eventually filed for divorce, and was then forced to get a restraining order after her ex proceeded to stalk her. Though these frightening moments are behind her, she's working every day to address the residual trauma. "It was a lot of trauma to get where we are, and a lot to finally feel safe," she says. "But I just wanted to do whatever I had to do so my children wouldn't have to heal from a choice that I made."
It's clear that Ariel's adorable children, ranging from ages three to fifteen, are her biggest inspiration. She often posts videos of herself teaching them important life lessons like how to create a budget and maintain good credit. It's these important life skills that many of her followers said they wished they had learned growing up. For Ariel, her greatest goal is to fill up their self-love tank. "The world is going to knock you down enough when you get older," she says. "So if I can push them out there at a hundred percent if the world can only knock them down to 80, I'd be happy with that. But if they only go out there at 80 and the world can get them down to 60 or less than half of who they are, that's a problem for me."
When it comes to her new podcast, Ariel isn't afraid of the judgments that may come, both from loved ones and strangers. "When you tell the truth, there's nothing to hide from," she says. "I am a single mother of five. I do have more than one child's father. We are on a budget. And when I was able to just be honest, I think I wasn't shameful anymore. I didn't have to pretend and I was able to tell my truth out loud."
"This Too Shall Pass" is out now!