Adaptogenic herbs have a long history of supporting the whole body, heart, and mind as tonics. They may be used daily, especially during times of stress or change.
We recommend everyone (even healthy folks) have an adaptogen at midlife!
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) Mountain Rose Forest Grown Whole Plant Extract (certified organic)
- Best for individuals noticing a decrease in energy (typically age 40-60)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Extract by Mountain Rose Herbs (certified organic)
- Best for individuals with anxiety and restlessness associated with adrenal stress
- Stimulates the thyroid
- Best taken for no longer than three months as a daily tonic
- Ashwagandha Root Capsules by Mountain Rose Herbs
- Ashwagandha Apricot Cooler recipe
Eleutherococcus (Eleutherococcus senticosus) Root Extract by Mountain Rose Herbs (certified organic)
- Best for healthy individuals to help balance body systems and stay healthy during times of stress and change
- Also commonly called Siberian Ginseng
Holy Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
This herb isn’t a confirmed adaptogen but is recognized as one by most herbalists.
- Known for supporting mental focus and concentration
- Good for stagnant depression, PTSD, decreases anxiety
- Good for someone who has experienced loss, divorce and not able to move on
- Good for Type II Diabetes – reduces cortisol
- Tulsi Hydrosol by Mountain Rose Herbs
- Herb Pharm Holy Basil organic plant extract
Red Ginseng Certified Organic Extract (Panax ginseng)
- Best for individuals who’ve lost or depleted their vital energy (typically 70+ but may be younger)
- Mountain Rose Whole Red Ginseng Root – certified organic
- HEATING (warming)
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
This adaptogenic herb may be drying and stimulating and is best taken in a formula such as Herb Pharm Stress Manager formula (with Eleuthero root)
Schisandra Berry (Schisandra chinensis) Extract by Mountain Rose Herbs (certified organic)
- Calming while keeping you focused
- The tea of Schisandra Berries used to be drunk in monasteries before meditation
- Best for individuals with excesses and deficiencies at the same time (autoimmune disease)
White Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng) Root Alcohol-Free Glycerite by Herb Pharm (certified organic)
- Best if feeling colder and experiencing a decrease in energy (typically age 50-70)
- Warming
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Resources
- Adaptogenic Tonics: an approach unique to herbal medicine by Guido Mase
- Harmony Remedies: An Overview of Adaptogens by David Winston
- Mountain Rose Herbs
Precautions
The use of herbal products may reduce the efficacy of medications and should be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner. We recommend you consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herbal products.
A Personal Tao – A Taoist perspective on Midlife Transformation
Midlife and the Great Unknown – Poetry by David Whyte in audio form
Remapping Your Mind by Lewis Mehl-Madrona
The Midlife Passage: From Misery to Meaning in Midlife by James Hollis
Functional Detox Products
- Mi Toxin Binder Capsules by Functional Detox with Activated Coconut Charcoal, Aloe vera and Zeolite
- Mi Detox Electrolytes Powder (tropical flavor)
Herb Pharm and Quicksilver Scientific Products
- Dr. Shade’s BitterX Digestive Bitters by Quicksilver Scientific
- Liposomal Glutathione by Quicksilver Scientific
- Liquid Herbal Detox Formula by Herb Pharm with Red Clover, Licorice root and Buckthorn bark
- Push Catch Liver Detox Protocol by Quicksilver Scientific
- Ultra Binder Capsules by Quicksilver Scientific with Activated Charcoal and Zeolite
- Ultra Binder Stick Packets
Caring for our mind and concerns about keeping it sharp are not just about old age anymore.
In modern society, many of us, even in our 30s and 40s, are experiencing memory issues. We lead stressful lives. We eat processed food, too few fruits & vegetables, take too many antibiotics and have inflamed guts as well as brains. Chronic inflammation of the gut and brain have been connected to depression, migraines, as well as loss of memory and focus.
Anything we can do to reduce inflammation both in the gut and the brain is going to help reduce risk, enhance overall health and help our mind stay sharp!
BRAIN BOTANICALS (NOOTROPICS)
Avena (Fresh Oat Seed Tincture or Cooked Oats)
Eating oats is good food for almost everyone! We try to cook up steel cut oats at least once a week!
Oats are especially good medicine for enhancing cognitive function in midlife (age 40-65 years).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26618715
Oats are a nervine tonic, meaning they are beneficial to the nervous system. You can use the Organic Oats Extract by Mountain Rose as a slow, mild remedy for increasing cerebral blood flow and as an anti-depressant.
If you’re emotionally stretched (burning the candle at all ends) consider taking Oat seed tincture for a few months to rebuild a healthy emotional foundation. If you’re experiencing anger as part of this, combine the Oats with Skullcap or consider a Calming Tonic formula.
Camellia sinensis (Green Tea leaves)
Green Tea contains high levels of amino acids and flavonoids; it’s neuroprotective and improves cognitive function.
Drink a cup of organic green tea daily (or mix it with a blend) to help keep your mind sharp.
We recommend the Pu’erh Green Tea for longevity!
Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) ~ Pohe Kula (picture above)
I got to know this lovely plant while living in Hawaii.
This is another herb that you want to ensure you get good quality organically grown – typically the plants from Hawaii will be stronger medicine than the greenhouse grown.
Gotu Kola is a tonic to the nervous system, reduces anxiety and calms red hot inflamed tissue topically and internally (skin, gut, brain). Sounds good!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20677602
You can eat the leaves raw in a salad, cooked as a green and juiced in your smoothie. Polynesian folklore suggests eating 6 leaves every day to improve your memory over time.
https://keolamagazine.com/plants/pohe-kula/
For slight memory loss you can combine it with ginkgo leaf and rosemary. Mountain Rose Herbs sells an herbal tonic with Ginkgo and Gotu Kola for supporting the mind, concentration and brain functioning. Good for overall cognitive health at midlife: Memory Care Extract (certified organic)
A Knight’s Tale – A 2001 movie about changing your stars.
Cold Comfort Farm – A 1995 movie about how holding onto trauma restricts our lives (and the lives around us) and how one person can make a difference by imagining a better story for everyone.
Dying for Sex – A 2025 movie exploring trauma, sex and living/dying from a female centric perspective.
Groundhog Day – A 1993 movie about breaking free from limiting beliefs
Into the Wild – A 2007 movie about the challenges of living as an individual in the wild (without society).
Pleasantville – A 1998 movie about two characters (the parents) going through midlife and seeing the world in color.
Saving Mr. Banks – A 2013 film about processing trauma (midlife often triggers us to face our trauma)
The Mosquito Coast – A 1986 film about the dangers of burning out in midlife crisis
The Motorcycle Diaries – A 2004 movie about discovering the world, adventure and questioning our economic systems