After this whirlwind of a year, we’re all about creating an anti-stress wellness routine. But where to start? Wellness experts suggest a healthy diet, but even that sounds stressful. We prefer baby steps, which is where something called adaptogens come in. We talked to Charm City Integrative Health wellness coach Hannah Kahn all about this trend and how taking adaptogenic supplements can apparently help keep us calm, cool, and collected.

What are adaptogens?
Adaptogens are [largely] herbs that support the body’s natural ability to deal with stress. These stressors can include anxiety, inflammation, and fatigue, among other things.

What are the benefits of incorporating adaptogens into your daily wellness routine?
The benefits we get from this group of herbs are really special. Research has found that they contain anti-fatigue properties, anti-depressive effects, and increase mental work capacity and attention. These are things that everybody can benefit from, and it’s not difficult to begin incorporating adaptogens into your routine.

In your opinion, how effective are they?
Generally, adaptogens are incredibly effective. They’ve been [in use] for thousands of years, rooting back to Chinese Functional Medicine and Indian Ayurvedic Medicine. These herbs work at a molecular level, helping our bodies to fight stressors. I believe every individual is different, we are not one-size-fits-all, so it’s best to try one out and listen to your body to see how it’s responding.

Are there any side effects?
Side effects are typically minor, but they do occur occasionally for some people. Some of these herbs can interact negatively with prescription medications or for those with specific medical conditions. Always check in with your doctor and listen to how your body is feeling.

In what ways can you take adaptogens?
Adaptogens can be taken as herbal supplements in capsules, in powder form for foods and smoothies, and as herbal tea. Some can even be eaten directly! Some adaptogens can taste quite earthy, so play around with different fruits and veggies until you find something you enjoy.

Who would you recommend adaptogens for?
Adaptogens can be helpful to anybody experiencing anxiety, depression, fatigue, or other stressors. They are not an end-all-be-all, and it’s best to use these supplements alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle. Pregnant women and those taking prescription medications should be careful and check with their doctor before taking anything.

RESEARCH: Be sure to look into the different types of adaptogenic herbs to find one that works for your specific needs.

EXPERIMENT: Adaptogens can be taken as a supplement capsule or added to food or drinks; figure out what works best for your lifestyle.

DOCTOR’S APPROVAL: For more serious conditions, always talk to a doctor beforehand.

Oddly enough, Sevi Kay’s interest in natural bodycare started with her dog. It was around 1997 when Kay’s beloved German Shepherd, Mundo, was overcome by severe allergies. The failure of prescription creams to heal Mundo led Kay to try herbal remedies with ingredients found in her own kitchen pantry. And it worked! Mundo’s itching and redness disappeared.

By 1999, Kay launched her own business selling natural, handmade pet-care products. But her customers were so impressed, they began wanting products for themselves. “They were asking, ‘can you make this into a lip balm—can you do this and that,’ so I took the same formulas and made them for people,” Kay says.

Today, she owns and operates the Baltimore-ebased body care brand sevi: eco vegan apothecary with her husband, Prayas Chaudhary, pictured. “I choose ingredients that, like my food, are as whole as possible,” she says.

All of their products are formulated with locally grown herbs and botanicals and vegan waxes. With conditioner made with pumpkin seed, moisturizer mixed from chia seed oil, and body wash blended with olives and mandarin orange, sevi’s products take on the literal meaning of, “You are what you eat.” And Kay is living proof that plant-based products do work.

Diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder and rosacea, Kay tests the formulas on herself to ensure efficacy. But she cautions that, unlike most trends, results aren’t instantaneous. “You won’t immediately get rid of your acne, but over time, you’ll realize, ‘I don’t have to wear makeup!’”

She also notes that finding the right products can take some self-education. Kay warns that synthetic ingredients and dangerously high concentrations of essential oils can end up hurting more than helping.

“The benefits are long term,” she says, adding that whole, natural ingredients offer better, longer-lasting results. After 20 years in the business, Kay is thrilled that the natural movement has caught on. “It’ll give you the best chance to stay healthy and vibrant,” she says

Even as science and technology fling us into the future, it seems like more and more people are harkening back to the past. In the food world, that’s exhibited through the farm-to-table dining movement, the rise of Prohibition-era cocktails, and, now, the resurgence of grassroots apothecaries to aid common ailments in a natural, old-fashioned way with many herbs and spices commonly found in your kitchen or garden.

Herbal medicine dates back hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of years—as far as the papyrus scrolls of Ancient China and Egypt, on which its abilities to treat and prevent diseases are noted. Sure, some of it is snake oil, and they’re hardly panaceas, but after falling out of favor for chemical drugs in the 1800s, the time-honored practice is regaining popularity, with some 80 percent of the planet now using herbalism as a primary form of healthcare. 

In Baltimore, local makers are handcrafting medicinal blends of herbs and spices, too. A touch of turmeric here, a dash of ginger there. A sprig of rosemary, a sprinkle of chamomile. Through teas, tinctures, and tonics, these homemade remedies are helping us heal our bodies without Tylenol or a trip to the doctor. As medical costs continue to skyrocket, herbal medicine “has really bloomed in recent years,” says herbalist Jen Ehrhardt of the longstanding Zensations in Hampden, where she makes a medley of herb-infused products such as cordials and teas. “People are really being called to the plants right now. They’re looking for new ways to take care of themselves, and others, naturally.” 

That was the case with Katelyn Jarkowiec of Hey Thanks! Herbal Co.
“I went through a terrible breakup that did a number on me emotionally, which then started to play out physically,” she says. After murky medical diagnoses, she researched traditional Chinese medicine and, before long, started slowly feeling better. She now uses homegrown and foraged herbs and flowers in everything from bitters for better digestion to elixirs for stress relief and cramps. “They’re not cure-alls,” she says, “but you can use plants to give your body gentle nudges towards being healthy.”

Sarah Acconcia Norris of Juniper Culinary Apothecary even hopes to integrate these important ingredients into our way of eating. “Food is medicine, and nature makes everything we need,” says the former chef, who used natural remedies to heal after restaurant-industry burnout. Her Mt. Vernon Marketplace shop is an old-world treasure trove of superfood spices to be stocked on your kitchen shelves. “I’m not a doctor,” she says, “but we can still make these ingredients accessible, easy, and delicious to eat. This isn’t about diet culture. It’s about supporting your body. It’s about helping you be your best self.”