“All good things are wild and free.” Henry David Thoreau
In the wellness world, adaptogens are en vogue, but that scientific-sounding word is really just a newish way of talking about centuries-old herbal remedies. Adaptogens are herbs and compounds that interact with your body to make you more resilient. When you’re stressed, they can help bring you back into balance. Here are five we love, and why. (Hint: they’re pretty much all anti-inflammatory.)
Coconut Oil
It ups your “good” cholesterol levels (HDL) while helping to convert “bad” cholesterol (LDL) into the good kind. It’s also great for hair and skin. You can cook with it, mix it into your coffee, or use it as a daily skin moisturizer.
Devil’s Claw
Traditionally used to treat arthritis and back pain, devil’s claw gets its name from tiny curled petals that cover the plant’s fruit. The roots are ground and put into capsules, which you can take daily for joint and heart health.
Galangal
Although it looks like ginger, galangal root tastes completely different. It’s earthy and extra-citrusy, and it’s great for making soups and curries. Traditionally used in the Middle East to treat arthritis, it’s also known to improve digestion.
Ginger
A staple of Chinese medicine and Asian cooking, ginger root aids in digestion, relieves nausea, reduces inflammation and can even calm your nerves. Try it in stir fries, teas, tonics, capsules—your options are endless.
Turmeric
It’s anti-inflammatory, and it’s super versatile—you can cook with it, sprinkle it on eggs, or take it in capsule form. We love to mix it with coconut or almond milk and a little bit of ginger to make turmeric lattes. So delicious.
The simplest ways to start bringing these herbs and oils into your diet is to cook with them, or take them in capsule form. To get you started, here’s a quick recipe for a delicious, anti-inflammatory ginger turmeric tea.
