True Adaptogens

Thank you for choosing our Organic Fermented True Adaptogens

Living Nutrition Organic Fermented Herbal Blends are living food complexes, highly bioavailable to the human body and full of key active compounds created only through fermentation. The result is a living synergy of activated polyphenols, micronutrients, enzymes, microbes and various sensory compounds that elevate our organic herbs to the next level of vitality.

Stress management

Nervous system support

Energy and vitality

Meet the herb

True adaptogens is a blend of red ginseng, ashwagandha, holy basil, and rhodiola; these bio-activated herbs are designed to encourage balance and harmony within the body.

Red ginseng is one of the most widely used adaptogenic herbs and highly valued for its uplifting and stamina-boosting properties.

Ashwagandha is frequently referred to as ‘Indian ginseng’ because of its rejuvenating properties. It is classified as an adaptogen, due to its ability to help the body resist and adapt to stress.

Holy basil is an adaptogen, and one of the most sacred plants in India, it is considered the Queen of herbs for its rejuvenating properties.

Rhodiola rosea naturally grows in harsh environments, in high altitudes on sea cliffs and the crevices of mountain rocks in the Arctic regions of Europe and Asia and the eastern coast of North America (1). It has traditionally been used as an adaptogen and anti-fatigue agent.

History

Red ginseng is one of the most widely used adaptogenic herbs and highly valued as an important folk medicine in East Asian countries, including China, Korea, and Japan, for more than 2000 years (2).

Ashwagandha is an ancient herb. It has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine. It is known as a rasayana which describes a herb that promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health (3).

Holy basil has been used for 3,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine. It is revered as a sacred plant that strengthens the vital life force or ‘prana’.

Traditionally rhodiola has been used to increase physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, to treat fatigue, depression and nervous system disorders (4).

Benefits

Energy: A review concluded red ginseng could significantly improve symptoms of chronic fatigue (5). The European Medicines Agency Committee on Herbal Medicine products suggest ginseng can be used for treatment of fatigue, weakness and lack of vitality (6). Research suggests holy basil also has an anti-fatigue effect with improvements–even after a single week–in stress, mood, concentration and more (7).

Adaptogens: Red ginseng helps the body better cope with mental or physical stress. Ashwagandha assists the body in managing stress and anxiety more effectively, reducing stress and cortisol levels (8). Studies have shown a clear improvement in symptoms like stress and depression with rhodiola use (9).

Sports performance:Studies have shown significant increases in muscle mass, strength, and testosterone levels with ashwagandha (10). Rhodiola is able to reduce lactate levels and skeletal muscle damage after intense exercise sessions (11). Other studies suggest that rhodiola can improve endurance by decreasing heart rate and perception of effort during exercise (12). Fermented rhodiola has been shown to protect against fatigue caused by strenuous exercise (13).

Cognitive support: One study found that adults who took holy basil regularly for 15 days experienced a boost in cognitive function (14). Studies have found that rhodiola exerts a notable anti-fatigue effect that increases mental performance and concentration in burnout patients (15).

Key actives

The major bioactive compounds of red ginseng are its ginseng saponins, known as ginsenosides, which have been researched for their positive benefits to the nervous system. Research shows that fermenting the herb increases antioxidant activity (16).

The sitoindosides VII-X and Withaferin-A in ashwagandha have been shown to have significant anti-stress activity (17).

Holy basil contains ocimumosides which have anti-stress properties (18). Scientific studies have shown that eugenol is another compound that helps to combat stress and enhance mental clarity (19).

Salidroside, the trans-cinnamyl alcohol glycoside compounds (rhodiolin, rosin, rosavin, rosarin, and rosiridin), and tyrosol are thought to be the most critical plant constituents in rhodiola needed for therapeutic activity (1).

Contraindications

There are some groups where caution is required: children and those nursing, pregnant (or considering pregnancy), and on medication or under medical supervision should consult their healthcare practitioner before using our supplements. Specific known contraindications (this list is not exhaustive):

Red ginseng should not be taken in combination with furosemide, insulin, medications changed by the liver, MAOIs, diabetes medication, immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, stimulants, blood thinners, oestrogens, nifedipine, raltegravir, imatinib, midazolam and selegiline.

Ashwagandha should not be taken in combination with immunosuppressants, sedatives, thyroid hormone, diabetic medication and blood pressure medication.

Holy basil should not be taken in combination with anticoagulants, pentobarbital, diabetic medication, sedatives and acetaminophen.

Rhodiola should not be taken in combination with diabetic medication, blood pressure medication, immunosuppressants, P-glycoprotein substrates, losartan, medication metabolised by cyp450 enzymes and escitalopram.