What are Adaptogens? Q&A with Lake & Oak Tea Co.
This week we wanted to give our followers a little something special. We have had many people ask us about adaptogens since we posted about Lake & Oak Tea during the holidays. What is an adaptogen and how does it all work? We did a Q&A with Meredith Youngson, Founder & Nutritionist of Lake & Oak Tea Co to answer 6 of your most popular questions! Grab that cup of tea and start reading…
No. 1 — What is an Adaptogen?
Adaptogens are plants {herbs, roots, mushrooms} that have been used traditionally in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.
They are celebrated for their ability to help your body handle stress therefore providing a balancing, normalizing effect on bodily systems and processes.
A few examples of adaptogens are: Schisandra Berry, Chaga Mushroom, Rhodiola, or the well known Maca Root.
No. 2 — How do Adaptogens work?
Like their name suggests, they help your body adapt based on your own needs (mental, physical etc.). This might mean regulating the release of stress hormones, or boosting your strength and energy.
They are amazing in the way that they truly adapt and are flexible to what you need. For example, ashwagandha can enhance focus or mental clarity, while also helping you combat physical or emotional stress.
They aren’t a “cure all” or band-aid fix, their effects are best enjoyed as a part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, and as a part of your daily wellness routine. That’s why we chose to infuse all of our Superfood Teas Blends with adaptogens, to make them super easy to incorporate and enjoy the benefits of!
No. 3 — How often should you have Adaptogens in your diet?
With supplements and herbs it's always good to start low and slow, and consult your healthcare professional about trying anything new.
Our Superfood Tea Blends have a less concentrated dose of adaptogens, so you can enjoy anywhere from 4-6 cups of our Superfood Tea Blends a day. Most of our L&O fans have a cup or two after every meal.
With taking concentrated adaptogens in powder or tincture form, it could be anywhere from ½ tsp to 2 tsp, per serving depending on the product or form. Every body and adaptogen is different though.
No. 4 — How do you source your ingredients?
We source our teas and herbs from the top 10% produced in the world, with strict policy on organic, sustainable and ethically produced ingredients.
No. 5 — What benefits do Adaptogens have on our health?
With stress being such a contributing factor to many health issues, adaptogens can indirectly benefit your health in many ways.
My favourite benefit of consuming adaptogens is their positive impact on your mental health. With consistent consumption, adaptogens can help you cope better with emotional and physical stressors.
As someone with anxiety, I love being able to use natural and effective solutions to reduce my stress load and feel a bit more “balanced” every day! Again, not a band-aid solution, but every little bit helps :)
No. 6 — What's your favourite Adaptogen recipe with your tea?
I’m always playing around with different feel-good elixir recipes. Currently I am loving our Turmeric Ginger Tonic (which is made with the adaptogen tulsi) with a drizzle of lemon-ginger honey.
Our Sun Mylk turmeric latte blend has the adaptogens maca and ashwagandha, which are great for balancing hormones and combating stress. The warming spices combined with nut milk is super decadent and great for relaxing after a busy day. I love it with oat milk and maple syrup.
We want to say a HUGE thank you to Meredith who has answered a few of our questions about adaptogens. Let’s bring our wellness routine to the next level this year! Thank you Meredith from Lake & Oak Tea Co.
Thank you for reading!
