Three Delicious Adaptogenic Tonics to Try for Late Summer

During the months of late summer (end of August - late September), there is a strong energetic shift to transition towards more routine, slowing down our energy expenditure, and gathering resources. School’s take back up again. The days start to get shorter, and our late harvests are destined for storage for the fall and winter months. It’s an unwinding time - and often one of the most difficult transition seasons for folks to cope with. Although we should be starting to move towards more routine and grounding, the late summer often has loads of extra things to deal with and this is one of the most common times for folks to present with fatigue and poor sleep.

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Moving into this 5th season (late summer), I find that incorporating adaptogenic tonics into your daily routine is extremely helpful to support the endocrine system (adrenal glands in particular) and also support your sleep cycle during times of transition. “Adaptogens” help the body adapt to shifts, stress, change and increased demands mentally and physically, and work beautifully to help the body adjust gradually. Adaptogens are not quick fix solutions or immediate energy things. The body responds best to gradual support, continually taken daily for a more sustainable approach to seasonal change. Three of my favorite adaptions for this time of year include Holy Basil, Matcha, and Ashwagandha. All three taste delicious, and I use them specifically for different sorts of fatigue depending on how it presents. Ideally, these work best in this situation when taken as tonic teas / beverages, and this also allows you some extra flexibility to adjust flavors too!

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Holy Basil - Also known as Tulsi - this is an ideal adaptogenic herb for folks that burn the candle at both ends and are always on the go with little end in sight. (Think new parents, full time working folks with kids, stressed out students, caretakers). Holy basil helps to support the adrenal glands (one of the most hard hit places in the body when under stress) long term to gradually build your cortisol reserves (the body’s stress and energy hormone). Being in the mint family, it has a delicious and comforting flavor that really shines through in tea. My favorite Holy Basil blend in the Organic India Tulsi Rose tea. Drink 1-3 cups daily for best results. This is not an energizing tea and is caffeine free, so it can be consumed at any time of day.

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Matcha - This is a more ideal adaptogenic option for folks with occasional fatigue or afternoon lethargy that could use an immediate pick me up. Matcha is a type of green tea made from young tea leaves and you’ll find it most often ground into a very fine powder and vibrantly green. The entire powder is consumed by either whisking it in hot water, or blending into tonics. It doesn’t contain small amounts of caffeine, but less than coffee or black tea, so generally this is not recommended to drink in the evenings as it could disrupt sleep patterns. It is ideal for morning or early afternoon and also has an energizing (focus) effect on the mind. My favorite way to drink= matcha is as a creamy latte using this quick, simple recipe from Will Frolic For Food.

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Ashwagandha - a classic Ayurvedic adaptogen, I often recommend ashwagandha for those who are so fatigued that their sleep cycle is off and they have difficulty falling asleep or relaxing their body at night. This is a building yet calming adaptogen that helps to support the endocrine system re-align it’s circadian rhythm when taken at appropriate times - either morning or evening. I recommend taking ashwagandha in the evening before bed to help calm the body and mind and relax the central nervous system. Ashwagnahda needs to be decocted (boiled in liquid) to extract the bulk of it’s beneficial constituents, and in a fatty milk is most recommended for best results. My go-to recipe is 1 teaspoon dried ashwagandha root + 1.5 cups whole milk + 1 chopped date + 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Boil together and let simmer for at least 10 minutes. Strain and drink warm before bedtime.

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Note - you can purchase dried ashwagandha root from most local health food stores in the bulk department.

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When trying any new herbs for the first time, pay close attention to how your body responds. Generally speaking, try something at least twice to get a true feel for how the herb is affecting you and keep notes. Never continue with something that you feel causes unwanted effects, but also keep in mind it sometimes takes several days (or weeks!) for herbs to take their effect and for you to notice a positive difference. Be patient and aware, and eventually you will find the right herbal ally for you.