July 14, 2025

Adaptogens: Ancient Remedies for Modern Stress

In today’s always-on world, stress isn’t just an occasional visitor—it’s a background hum. Whether it’s deadlines, doomscrolling, or juggling personal and professional life, your body is working overtime to keep up.

But what if your tea could help you adapt?

That’s the power of adaptogens—a class of herbs and botanicals used for centuries in traditional medicine to build resilience, restore balance, and support the nervous system.

🌿 What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body respond more effectively to stress—whether physical, emotional, or environmental. Unlike stimulants or sedatives, they work by regulating rather than overriding your system. Think of them as botanical co-regulators: when stress goes up, they help bring you down. When energy dips, they help lift you gently.

To be classified as an adaptogen, an herb must:

Be non-toxic in normal doses
Help the body resist stressors
Normalize bodily functions (i.e., bring you back into balance)

🍵 How Are Adaptogens Best Consumed?

Consistency is key. While you may feel benefits after one cup, adaptogens work best when taken regularly over time. Tea is an ideal delivery method—gentle, ritualistic, and easy to integrate into your daily routine.

🌍 Ethnobotanical Breakdown: Brooklyn Tea’s Adaptogens

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

🫖 Found in: Ashwagandhs root

Origin: India
Tradition: Ayurvedic medicine
Historical Use: Revered as a “Rasayana” herb—used to promote longevity, vitality, and calm. Traditionally prescribed for stress, anxiety, fatigue, and low immunity.

Modern Benefits:

Helps regulate cortisol (your stress hormone)
Promotes relaxation without drowsiness
May support sleep and cognitive function

How to Sip:
Enjoy it in our warming, caffeine-free Ashwagandha Chai—perfect before bed or during high-stress workdays.

2. Holy Basil / Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

🫖 Found in: Tulsi and Cold Killer

Origin: India
Tradition: Ayurveda & Hindu spirituality
Historical Use: Called the “Queen of Herbs,” Tulsi was used not only for its healing properties but also worshipped as a sacred plant. It was steeped daily in homes for both respiratory health and spiritual clarity.

Modern Benefits:

Supports respiratory and immune function
Enhances mental clarity and focus
Calms the nervous system without sedation

How to Sip:
Best enjoyed daily in the morning or midday to center your mind and body.

3. Schisandra Berry (Schisandra chinensis)

🫖 Found in: Blueberry Rooibos

Origin: China, Russia, Korea
Tradition: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Historical Use: Known as “Wu Wei Zi,” or “Five Flavor Fruit,” schisandra berries were prized for their ability to tonify Qi, support liver health, and increase endurance. Used by Chinese royalty and Russian cosmonauts alike.

Modern Benefits:

Boosts stamina and physical endurance
Supports liver detoxification
Improves mood and mental focus

How to Sip:
Pairs beautifully with tart berries or hibiscus. Schisandra can be your daily adaptogenic tonic for energy without the caffeine.

4. Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii)

🫖 Found in: She's Gotta Have It

Origin: Andes Mountains, Peru
Tradition: Indigenous Andean medicine
Historical Use: Grown at high altitudes, maca was used for centuries to improve fertility, stamina, and strength. Incan warriors reportedly consumed it before battle.

Modern Benefits:

Balances hormones
Boosts energy and libido
Enhances mood and focus

How to Sip:
Add maca-infused tea to your morning ritual—especially if you're caffeine-sensitive or need sustained energy without a crash.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Balance in Every Sip

Adaptogens aren’t quick fixes. They’re gentle allies—helping your body restore what the day, the year, or the season may have taken. By incorporating them into your tea ritual, you’re not just drinking for taste—you’re sipping toward balance.