Paula Grainger on Using Adaptogens to Improve Your Health

Do you experience too much stress?  Do you feel like your hormones are out of whack or like your immune system might need a boost?

If you answered "Yes," then adaptogens might be right for you!  ​

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My guest, Paula Grainger, has just released her new book, Adaptogens,  Harness the Power of Superherbs to Reduce Stress and Restore Calm.

Paula has been practicing herbal medicine since she obtained her degree in herbal medicine from the University of Westminster in London in 2004.  

Following her graduation, she worked in several busy London clinics, and then opened her own herbal clinic and apothecary called Lemon Balm.  She successfully ran and worked in her clinic until moving to Santa Cruz, California in 2010.  

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Here in Santa Cruz, she continues to work with clients, using herbs and nutrition to maximize wellness, teaches natural and herbal lifestyle classes, and is known as the English Herbalist in Santa Cruz.

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What are adaptogens?

​From Paula’s book, “Adaptogens may be seen as the superheroes of the herbal world.  They help to increase stamina, strengthen the immune system and improve the ability to withstand and recover from physical and emotional stress.”

​As I wrote this past summer in my three-part series on chronic stress, stress is such a big part of our modern lives and has a negative impact on our overall health.  Read more about chronic stress here.

​​As Paula explains, short term stress responses had their place when humans were in physical danger, for example escaping from a tiger.  Even now there’s a time and a place where the stress response is helpful such as if you need to respond to a car cutting into your lane when you’re driving.  

​However, when the stress response is activated too often or never really turns off, our bodily systems can become out of balance.

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In this interview, Paula goes into more depth about:

• The use of adaptogens and how they fit into herbalism,
• Her favorite adaptogens for general women’s health,
• Helpful adaptogens for chronic inflammation,
• And how to get started using adaptogens.

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​Once you've had a chance to watch, please share your thoughts in the comments below.  

​Have you used adaptogens to improve your health?  Do you think they might be helpful to you?

Please comment or ask questions below!

​And as always, please share with your friends and family!

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For more information on Paula's new book, click below.
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Adaptogens
HARNESS THE POWER OF SUPERHERBS TO REDUCE STRESS AND RESTORE CALM

​You can also find Paula at www.paulagrainger.com, on Instagram, and at her Etsy shop.