Adaptogens are all the rage right now, and this is one of the few health trends that I’m here for! Adaptogens are naturally occurring, nontoxic plant substances such as herbs, roots, spices and even mushrooms that have  been used traditionally by Aruvedya (the sister science to yoga and 5,000 year old practice of medicine in India), Chinese medicine, and in Northern European countries for thousands of years. While common in Eastern medicine and application, they are picking up in the West and we are going to explore in today’s podcast episode what constitutes a plant as an adaptogen, what they provide and do for the body, research surrounding them, why you may want to consider them for stress and hormone support and some of my favorite specific types of adaptogens.   At the end of the day, adaptogens should be used in a fun, curious way to see if they benefit you and to consider as part of your wellness routine and/or healing protocol. They are not mandatory to pursue health, but if you notice a difference taking them, can be supportive to take to combat everyday stressors.   Get Victoria’s FREE E-BOOK ON HOW TO EAT FOR HORMONES.   Victoria’s favorite Primally Pure products: Soothing serum Baby oil Baby balm Body butter For the double cleansing method to clean your face: cleansing oil and baby bar   Resources for you: Learn more about our services at Nourishing Minds Nutrition. Read testimonials from our amazing clients here. Join our FREE support group for like-minded women, the Nourishing Women Community. Live Q&As are hosted every Tuesday evening.   Let’s hang out! Connect with Victoria and the staff at NMN: Victoria’s Instagram Victoria’s Website Nourishing Minds Nutrition Instagram Nourishing Minds Nutrition website   This episode is brought to you by New Chapter. As a women’s health dietitian and educator, I have been on the search for my official recommendation for a prenatal vitamin for quite some time, and I am thrilled to say I finally found the one, and actually a prenatal AND postnatal vitamin- that checks all my boxes.   What’s so cool about New Chapter’s perfect prenatal vitamin is that it is fermented for better absorption with beneficial probiotics and whole foods, which also makes it easy to digest and gentle on the stomach- which if you’ve ever taken a prenatal vitamin you know that’s not always the case. Plus their new improved formula contains ginger to help combat morning sickness. It contains all the key nutrients your body needs for a growing baby, including methylfolate- which is the active form of folate I personally always recommend to my clients when they are looking for a prenatal*.   And they also have a Perfect postnatal vitamin, which is what I am personally taking now. Its formulated specifically for new moms and our needs, to help us replenish nutrient stores from having a baby meaning its going to contain key nutrients like iodine, vitamin D, fermented iron as well as fermented B vitamins to support energy needs. What I think is so helpful is that it also contains herbs and plants that have been used traditionally for lactation like oats, kelp, chamomile and turmeric*.   As with all New Chapter supplements and products, these prenatal and postnatal vitamins are nonGMO certified, made with organic whole foods and herbs and responsibly sourced. I mean I could it get any better, I don’t think so!   You can purchase New Chapter prenatal and postnatal vitamins on New Chapter’s website, Whole Foods, CVS, Amazon and local health food stores. Thank you so much for sponsoring today’s episode New Chapter!   *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.   References for today’s podcast episode:   Megan’s blog post on Victoria Myers on What are Adaptogens   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20737519   https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.pa.09.040169.002223?jour