Our Nature: Conversations about the relationship between nature, spirituality, and well-being
EP 30: Stressed? Meet Your Herbal Allies, With Nadine Joseph of Peak and Valley
Episode Summary
We live in a stressful, unpredictable world. Enter adaptogens. I learned so much in this week’s episode with Nadine Joseph, the CEO and founder of Peak and Valley, a company that makes adaptogenic blends using varying combinations of over 18 adaptogens, mushrooms and herbs. In this episode we discuss Nadine’s work as a neuroscientist studying what happens physically in the body when you’re exposed to stress, how Nadine’s own experience with chronic stress, anxiety and adrenal fatigue led her to adaptogens and ultimately healing, the definition of adaptogens and the origin of the term, the role of primary, secondary and tertiary adaptogens, why the beta-glucan content in mushrooms matters, the healing powers of turmeric, and why consumers need to be incredibly careful when purchasing plant-based products and how to screen brands for purity and quality. I had definitely heard about adaptogens from herbalist Rachelle Robinett, but I we go deep into them in this episode. Stay tuned until the end of our conversation to hear about a special discount on Peak and Valley exclusive for Our Nature listeners!
Episode Notes
Resources:
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Show Notes:
- On growing up with an understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world
- What Nadine learned studying the neuroscience of stress
- What adrenal fatigue looks like in the body
- How the culture of work in the United States is leading us to adrenal burnout
- The HPA axis in the body and why it’s important
- How Nadine’s own wellness journey led her to found Peak and Valley
- Nootropics - what they are and what they do for the brain
- Why the beta-glucan content in mushrooms matters
- Adaptogens - explained
- Primary, secondary and tertiary adaptogens
- Peak and Valley’s adaptogenic blends
- What happened after Nadine began regularly consuming adaptogens
- Nadine’s experience with entrepreneurship
- Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine’s influence in the research behind adaptogens
- The Nourish My Skin blend explained from an Ayurvedic perspective
- The incredible health benefits of turmeric
- Why Nadine sources her turmeric from Diaspora Co.
- Why consumers need to be really careful when purchasing plant based products
- How to screen plant based products for purity and quality
- How different types of stress maps differently in the body
- The limitations of adaptogens
- Highlighting Nadine’s favorite adaptogenic herbs + mushrooms
- How the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement have affected Nadine personally and Peak and Valley
- How to honor the traditions that adaptogens came from without appropriating them
- The Last Five Questions