The Best Ayurvedic Supplements to Boost Energy and Reduce Stress
Are there days when you feel overwhelmed and paralyzed from your stressful work, bills, and endless problems? While yoga and meditation practices can help bring you back to equanimity, sometimes you need additional support to maintain a place of calm. The ancient healing science of Ayurveda has several not well-known supplements that can help you stop stress and boost your energy levels. Most of these herbs are considered Adaptogens, which boost one’s ability to cope with stress and preserve energy. To restore inner balance and health, you can experiment with a few of the stress-busting supplements from the Ayurvedic tradition.
How Does Ayurveda See Stress?
Ayurveda is all about balancing the three life energies, or doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. When the doshas are balanced, your body and mind will function at their best. Stress is a chief culprit for unbalanced doshas. It triggers our body’s “fight or flight” response, slows down digestion, and makes you feel anxious. In the long run, your energy levels, immune functions, and mental health can all suffer from high levels of stress and tension.
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Know Your Ayurvedic Body Type
Stress is processed differently for every person. Some people get angry and furious, whereas others like to keep all emotions to themselves. Not all wellness practices are suitable for the effects that stress has on you. Knowing your ayurvedic body type can point you in the right direction.
For example, if you have a dominant Vata, you may constantly be checking new emails or having a racing mind. This is when closing your eyes for a few deep breaths or meditation can help. On the contrary, a Kapha person tends to take on stress internally. Instead of irritation and anxiety, you may feel sad, depressed, and unmotivated to do anything. This is when you may want to incorporate movements and activities to raise the energy levels.
Ayurvedic Supplements for yoga
Stress tends to make people eat the so-called “comfort foods,” which are high in calories but low in nutrients. As a result, you may not be eating enough natural nutrient-rich foods. This can put you at risk for various nutritional deficiencies and can inbalance your doshas.
For example, it is estimated that 1 in 2 people in America are likely deficient in magnesium. Since magnesium is involved in energy production and many other vital functions, people with low magnesium are often chronically tired and unwell.
Apart from meeting the body’s nutritional requirements, choosing the right foods and nutritional supplements for your dosha is crucial for restoring balance. You may want to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner or follow general Ayurvedic food guidelines. There are five Ayurvedic potent stress-reducing supplements that are suitable for most doshas.
1. Shilajit
One great source of nutrients that is suitable for all dosha body types is Shilajit, which means “Conqueror of the mountains” in Sanskrit. It is a nutrient-rich biomass that oozes from the Himalayan rocks. Shilajit contains high levels of antioxidants, natural minerals, fulvic acid, and many more health-promoting compounds. As such, it is an essential remedy in Ayurvedic medicine that has been crowned as the “miraculous gift of God.”
According to a review published in the International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, shilajit is associated with numerous health benefits, including:
- Anti-aging, strong rejuvenator
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Increase energy and combat fatigue
- Detox cells and organs
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve cognition and mental health
For more information about shilajit benefits, read here.
2. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a time-tested rejuvenator that is found to be useful in lowering cortisol levels. Also, it is believed to improve brain function and help combat stress and depression.
Medicalnewstoday reports that the Benefits of Ashwagandha include:
- Found effective in reducing cortisol levels
- May help with lowering blood sugar level
- Boosts immunity and improves overall health
- Can be useful in managing stress, anxiety, and depression
- May improve testosterone and fertility in men
Ashwagandha is available in powdered form and can be consumed with warm milk or water. Alternatively, you may consider consuming it in the pill form.
3. Brahmi
Brahmi or Bacopa Monnieri is found in almost all continents and is a perennial herb that’s packed with medicinal properties. Brahmi is rich with powerful antioxidants that can neutralize the damage caused due to free radicals.
The benefits of Brahmi include:
- May prove to be useful in treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- May be helpful in treating Dementia
- Found to be useful in improving brain and heart functions
- Can fight free radicals
- May help reduce stress and anxiety
Brahmi is known for its adaptogen properties and can prove to be useful in stress management. It is available in powder and pill forms but must strictly be consumed in moderation.
4. Triphala
Triphala or “the three fruits” refers to a powder made from three ingredients, namely Bibhitaki, Amalaki, and Haritaki. These three fruits are dried, combined, and powdered to bring out the Triphala powder, which is known for its many benefits.
The benefits of Triphala are:
- Promotes weight loss
- Can be used for detoxification
- Improved gut health
- Helps reduce stress and anxiety
- May prove to be useful in improving gut health
Triphala is found in powdered and pill forms, but many users prefer to buy supplements that include both Triphala and Shilajit.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric not only intensifies the color and flavor of your food but can also prove to be a powerful defense against stress and fatigue. Loaded with curcumin, turmeric may help increase the flow of serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for mood elevation. In fact, some studies indicate that turmeric could be as beneficial as Prozac.
The benefits of Turmeric include:
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- May help reduce stress and improve mood
- Rich in antioxidants
Turmeric can be consumed in supplement form, or you can add some to your curries. Also, boiling some turmeric in water and consuming it can prove to be beneficial. Another way to consume it is by adding some turmeric to a glass of warm milk and lacing it up with some honey.
The Takeaway
Your body, mind, and spirit are your most precious assets to keep healthy and strong. If the world is feeding you too much toxic worry and stress, see if one or more of the above Ayurvedic herbs can boost your inner peace, energy, and overall well-being.
