The new super supplements
It’s time to forget those boring multivitamins, these next-gen alternative remedies promise to do everything from banish stress to boost libido – but do they work? ELIZABETH ARCHER finds out
GONE ARE the days of washing down a multivitamin with your morning coffee and getting on with the day. Now a seemingly endless array of turbo-charged supplements, which claim to do everything from relieve stress to boost libido, are appearing up and down the country.
The most exciting of these are adaptogens, superpowered herbs that help the body regulate stress and hormones. Teas containing adaptogens can be found on supermarket shelves and Boots has launched its own range.
But with so many to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?
WHAT ARE ADAPTOGENS?
These nifty herbs help your body adapt to its environment – hence the name. They contain compounds the body uses to regulate its hormonal response to stressors.
“Adaptogenic herbs do what they say on the tin and help the body ‘adapt’ both to the surroundings and cope with both physical and emotional stressors,” says Sebastian Pole, master herbsmith and co-founder of Pukka Herbs (pukkaherbs.com).
“Used properly, they improve our ability to not only tolerate stress but also increase our immunity, regulate our hormones, enhance our adaptation to mental and physical challenges and make us stronger.”
Adaptogens have often been used in Ayurvedic or ancient Chinese medicine for centuries, but have come to the fore more recently for their stress-regulating properties.
“Adaptogens include key herbs such as ginseng, ashwagandha, shatavari, tulsi (or holy basil) and licorice,” says Sebastian. “Traditional herbal medicine uses many adaptogenic herbs for rejuvenation.
“But there is a useful role for these herbs to play in helping us to cope with the stresses and strains of modern life.”
WHO CAN TAKE THEM?
These handy herbs are easy to introduce to your diet and can be drunk in tea, blended into smoothies or taken in tablet form. What’s more, the beauty of adaptogens is that they are generally safe to take in moderation, although it’s always wise to consult your GP first.
“They are suitable for the young and active right through to the elderly, supporting a vibrant and active lifestyle,” says Sebastian. “They are also helpful for people whose lifestyle is restricted or impaired due to ill health.”
You need… STRESS RELIEF
As adaptogens help the body regulate its stress response, they are ideal for those people who are feeling anxious or under pressure.
Sebastian recommends ashwagandha for its soothing properties. “Ashwagandha offers an antidote to the pace of modern life. It has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to nourish the mind,” he says. “It calms stress, helps restore energy and is helpful in supporting sleep.”
TRY IT: Blend Pukka Cacao Maca Magic Latte, £5 (sainsburys.co. uk), with almond milk for a
soothing hot drink.
You need… MOOD BOOST
Holy basil, also known as tulsi, is known for its moodboosting benefits.
“It provides an antidote to the stresses of modern life that can lead to depression, low mood and lack of ‘get up and go’,” says Sebastian. “It also balances how the nervous system responds to stress, and improves mental energy and emotional clarity.
It is recommended for depression, mental fog, low mood, anxiety, stress, and tension headaches.”
TRY IT: Pukka Tulsi Clarity Tea £2.99 (hollandandbarrett.com), a refreshing blend of purple and lemon holy basil.
You need… BETTER MEMORY
The kitchen herb rosemary isn’t only good for making delicious roast dinners, it can also help to improve memory.
“Rosemary has long been known as the herb of remembrance and research has shown it can improve memory,” says MikeWakeman from natural supplements company Neubria. “Rosemary extracts have been found to enhance the production of nerve growth factor, which helps replace neurons that are lost in Alzheimer’s disease.”
TRY IT: Add a pinch of fresh rosemary to your morning smoothie or try Neubria Spark Memory Nootropic and Multivitamin, £24.99 (uk.neubria.com) which contains rosemary and other brainboosting adaptogens.
You need… IMMUNE BOOST
Feeling run down? Some adaptogens have been shown to boost immunity and speed recovery from illness. Reishi is a fungus that has been used in traditional medicine for
centuries. “Reishi is known as the ‘queen of mushrooms’ and is most commonly used to boost the body’s immunity, helping prevent or treat infections,” says Parminder Kaur, vitamins expert at Boots.
TRY: Look for finely milled reishi, which blends easily into foods. Parminder recommends blending it into homemade pesto. Or try Boots Adaptogens Reishi, £14 (boots.com).
You need… BLOOD SUGAR BALANCE
Our bodies are constantly working to keep blood sugar levels regulated, to give us a steady supply of energy throughout the day.
And some adaptogens can help with this, keeping us energised and preventing mood dips.
“Chaga is an antioxidant-rich fungus that has been used traditionally in Chinese culture for thousands of years,” says Parminder.
“This mushroom is also believed to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.”