MARCH 2019

SWINGING INTOserenit yTHE SPA AT SILVER LEGACY

(RENO, NV)

www.americanspa.com

24 | AMER ICANSPA.COM MARCH 2019

IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE TO LEARN THAT PEOPLE ARE TURNING to wellness-related offerings to help deal with the mental and physical pressures of everyday life. Adaptogens, herbs and plants such as ashwagandha, ginseng, and reishi mushrooms that support the adrenal system, are making headlines thanks to their ability to help combat stress, balance hormones, boost immunity, improve energy, and more. It also doesn’t hurt that the supplements market is exploding. In fact, the global dietary supplements market is expected to reach $278.02 bil-lion by 2024. These buzzy ingredients are turning up in powders, pills, and liq-uids. “A big consumer trend we are seeing is centered around natural, functional ingredients from the earth,” says Bella Tumini, senior brand manager for Suja, an organic, cold-pressed, and non-GMO beverage company. “Adaptogens are unique, highly functional ingredients used in ancient eastern medicine that are adaptable to each person’s individual needs. As an example, for one person, an adaptogen could help with stress, for another person that same adaptogen could help with fatigue.” Skincare manufacturers are also looking to these herbs to tackle a slew of skincare issues. “Adaptogens are a hot topic in skincare, because they can help promote or restore normal physiological functioning by increasing the body’s ability to resist damaging effects due to stress and environmental pollution,” says Ashley Stowers, account executive and national educator for CelleClé. •

As spa-goers seek to get a handle on stress, adaptogens are being touted as yet another solution to add to their arsenal of tension-relieving fixes. BY HEATHER MIKESELL

NATURE’S REMEDY

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As more and more spa-goers

seek to incorporate adaptogens

into their diets, it’s important to

keep in mind that the research

is still somewhat limited,

despite them having been used

medicinally throughout the

centuries. According to Como

Shambhala’s Eve Persak, they

should be treated as respectfully

as any medication. She notes

that the verdict is still out on how

exactly they work, all of the body

systems they affect, how they may

interact with medications and

other supplements, how to adjust

dosage, and what side effects or

allergic reactions they may cause.

As a result, she recommends

speaking with a healthcare

provider first and always including

them on any intake forms when

meeting with medical clinicians,

pharmacists, or dietitians. She

also suggests starting with a

modest dose and opting for a

whole herb preparation, such as a

tea or powder, which tends to offer

a milder potency. Capsules often

offer a more concentrated form.

At Como Shambhala,

Persak and her colleagues who

practice Oriental Medicine and

Ayurveda sometimes incorporate

adaptogens into their care.

“However, this is done in a

bespoke, prescriptive fashion,

rather than a broad collective

recommendation,” says Persak. •

NEED TO know

Ashwagandha is a popular mood stabilizer.

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ingestible and topical favesWhen it comes to adaptogens, it’s often to each her own, depending on what needs to be addressed. Here, we asked our experts to share their favorites.

“I love shatavari, because women can take it in every phase of life for hormonal bal-ance. It wakes up energy and is one of the most powerful adaptogens for reproductive health. It’s beneficial for both men and women. For the visible signs of stress and how it shows up on the hair, skin, and nails, I love amla, because it helps preserve colla-gen by fighting oxidative stress. And ashwa-gandha is incredibly effective at balancing out the mood, calming anxious nerves, and reducing irritability.”—Amanda Chantal Bacon, founder and CEO, Moon Juice

“Some of our favorite adaptogens include ashwagandha, reishi, ginseng, turmeric, and schisandra berry, because of their abil-ity to help fight stress, reduce inflamma-tion, and assist in improving both digestive and immune health.”—Bella Tumini, senior brand manager, Suja

“Cotton stem cells are a favorite, as this adaptogenic ingredient works as a ‘second skin’ to protect against pollutants, specifi-cally one of the most devastating environ-mental inflammation-aging compounds,

particulate matter 2.5, which combines polluted environmental micro-particles and liquid droplets. They also help to reduce inflammation and increase firm-ness.”—Ashley Stowers, account executive and national educator, CelleClé

“We love ginseng for its antioxidant and energy-boosting activity.”—Christine Lee, lead education specialist, Skin Regimen

“Like many adaptogens, panax ginseng is a potent antioxidant that helps reduce inflam-mation. Not only does inflammation irritate the skin, it is arguably the number one cause of premature aging. So, any ingredi-ents that help reduce inflammation are a go-to for us. Moringa, a nutrient-packed oil, is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, and one of the main ingredi-ents in our new skincare line Anda.” —Kellie Lambert, director of product marketing and development, Kerstin Florian

“Medicinal mushrooms. While there are many varieties, I look for and recommend preparations that include reishi, maitake, and shiitake. There are a number of ben-efits—fighting inflammation, support-ing detoxification, and controlling blood sugar.”—Eve Persak, resident dietitian, Como Shambhala (multiple locations) •

THE ART OF RITUALIt's helpful to incorporate

adaptogens into the diet by making

them part of a daily routine. Moon

Juice’s Amanda Chantal Bacon,

suggests spa-goers add them

to their morning cup of coffee or

smoothie. “Tune into what your body

needs and adjust accordingly,” she

says. “If stress gives you brain fog

and a lack of focus, use rhodiola

and astragalus. If stress makes

you moody and irritable, look for

ashwagandha or reishi.” •

Amla fruit fights oxidative stress.

Panax ginseng improves brain power and focus.

Reishi tea and dried lingzhi mushrooms help boost immunity.

As with any natural ingredient, sourcing is key. “We work closely with small farmers and com-munities that create potent extracts of these adaptogens in their main growing regions and

bring them to us in the most bio-available and sustainable way,” says Scott Linde, founder of Sun

Potion Transformational Foods. The company’s Jas-mine Tocos, an ingestible formula designed to support radiant skin and muscle tone, relies on regenerative farming practices. “Adaptogens are plants so how they are grown, produced, iden-tified, harvested, and extracted is the key for potency, purity, and effectiveness,” says Moon Juice’s Amanda Chantal Bacon. •

SOURCING matters

Turmeric fights inflammation.

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Discover why adaptogen-based products, such as these, are the key to healthier skin. BY NICOLE ALTAVILLA

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1. Soothe Dermal Repair Mist EPICUREN DISCOVERY www.epicuren.com

2. Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser GLOWBIOTICS PROBIOTIC SKINCARE www.glowbiotics.com

3. StemBiotix AquaGel CELLECLÉ SKINCARE www.cellecleskincare.com

4. Exotica Rhodiola

RHONDA ALLISON www.rhondaallison.com

5. BodyRenew Bathing Pleasures Jasmine & Lavender Body Moisturizer PEVONIA www.pevoniapro.com

6. Crystal Moon Goddess Bath Salts CRYSTAL HILLS ORGANICS www.crystalhills.com

7. Calming Moisture CV SKINLABS www.cvskinlabs.com

8. Bright Skin Licorice Root Exfoliating Peel EMINENCE ORGANIC SKIN CARE www.eminenceorganics.com

9. 10.0 Tulsi Booster SKIN REGIMEN www.skinregimen.com

10. Essential Oil Complex G.M. COLLIN www.gmcollin.com

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