By Dr. Jennifer L. Yocum, Licensed Acupuncturist
As the sun begins its slow descent toward autumn and the last echoes of summer adventures fade, many of us feel our energy begin to fade along with those long, lazy days. The late summer, with its heat (and humidity!), travel, social gatherings, and shifting routines, often leaves our bodies and minds craving restoration. Enter adaptogens—nature’s ancient allies for modern stress, offering a gentle yet profound way to help us reset, recover, and find balance as we transition into fall.
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are a unique class of plants and mushrooms that help the body adapt to stress, whether physical, emotional, or environmental. They have been used for centuries, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, to treat various conditions and enhance well-being. Adaptogens work by supporting the body’s natural ability to restore balance (homeostasis), enhancing resilience and tolerance to challenging situations or events (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
Why Late Summer Calls for a Reset
Summer’s long days invite us outdoors and often disrupt our routines. We travel, stay up late, indulge in seasonal treats, often increase alcohol consumption, and sometimes neglect hydration and self-care. As a result, many people experience:
- Fatigue and low energy
- Trouble sleeping (especially during heat waves)
- Increased anxiety or emotional stress
- Weakened immunity after exposure to crowds and travel
- Dehydration and mineral imbalances
Adaptogens can play a pivotal role in helping the body recover from these stressors, paving the way for a smoother transition into the steadier rhythms of fall.
Here are five evidence-backed adaptogens to help you restore balance and vitality as summer winds down:
| Adaptogen | Key Benefits for Late Summer Recovery | How to Use It |
| Ashwagandha | Lowers cortisol, calms the nervous system, improves sleep, supports hormone balance (Cloyd, 2025) | Evening tea, capsules, or tincture |
| Tulsi (Holy Basil) | Significantly reduces anxiety and stress levels, reduces blood pressure, and decreases inflammation (Jamshidi and Cohen, 2017; Cleveland Clinic, 2023b) | Tea, tincture, or in smoothies |
| Rhodiola rosea | Boosts energy, enhances mental performance, reduces fatigue, and helps manage cortisol levels (Weinreb, 2020) | Morning smoothie, capsules |
| Schisandra | Research shows it supports physical endurance, liver detox, and stress resilience, and it has been used in Chinese Medicine for thousands of years to tonify the qi (energy) (Powers, 2021) | Tea, tincture |
| Cordyceps | Decreases inflammation in the body, may help boost exercise performance, and may improve insulin resistance (Cleveland Clinic, 2023a) | Powder in drinks, capsules |
How to Integrate Adaptogens Into Your Daily Routine
While you can take supplements in pill form, there are other ways to add adaptogens into your daily routine:
- Add a medicinal mushroom powder blend to your morning smoothie or latte: Try a chocolate/cacao flavored smoothie or adding the powder to a mocha latte to help balance out the earthiness of the mushrooms.
- Brew a cup of Tulsi tea in the afternoon: Lower your work stress by sipping on the tea and taking some deep breaths during your break.
- Wind down with an anti-inflammatory ashwagandha golden milk: Ashwagandha promotes restorative sleep, so it’s perfect to enjoy as you begin your bedtime routine.
- Post-Sun Recovery: Echo Market (2025) suggests adding adaptogens to electrolyte drinks or collagen-rich mocktails to support hydration and skin health.
Get creative with it and don’t be afraid to experiment. There are dozens of adaptogens, and just as many ways to add them to your diet. Try adding a squeeze of a tincture into soups or stews, throw some dried goji berries onto a salad, add ashwagandha or maca powder to your oatmeal or porridge, or roll an adaptogenic blend powder into energy balls. Your creativity is the only limit!
Tips for Choosing Quality Adaptogen Products
- Look for organic or wildcrafted ingredients
- Avoid fillers, artificial flavors, or sweeteners
- Choose reputable brands with third-party testing
- Prioritize companies transparent about sourcing and sustainability
The Bottom Line
As summer’s intensity gives way to the golden calm of early fall, adaptogens offer a time-honored, science-backed way to help your body and mind recalibrate. By supporting stress resilience, energy, sleep, and immunity, adaptogens can help you greet the new season feeling refreshed, balanced, and ready for what’s next.
References
Cleveland Clinic (2022, April 13). What are adaptogens and are they healthy? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-are-adaptogens-and-what-do-they-do
Cleveland Clinic (2023a, March 10). Cordyceps is a killer fungi with potential health benefits. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cordyceps-benefits
Cleveland Clinic (2023b, November 30). The benefits of holy basil (tulsi). https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-holy-basil
Cloyd, J. (2025, May 27). 3 Ashwaganda benefits (effects on cortisol and wellness tips). Rupa Health. https://www.rupahealth.com/post/ashwagandha-benefits
Echo Market (2025, June 3). Adaptogens for summer: how to stay calm, cool, & energized. https://echo.market/blogs/education/adaptogens-for-summer-how-to-stay-calm-cool-and-energized
Jamshidi, N. & Cohen, M. M. (2017). The clinical efficacy and safey of tulsi in humans: a systematic review of the literature. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9217567
Powers, D. (2021, December 15). Schisandra: dosage, safety, & preparation. The Botanical Institute. https://botanicalinstitute.org/schisandra/
Weinreb, S. (2020, September 28). Rhodiola Rosea: everything you need to know about this adaptogen. Mindbodygreen. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/rhodiola-rosea-benefits-side-effects-of-this-adaptogen
Note: This article was originally published in a local magazine for their August 2025 issue. For citation references, please contact Dr. Yocum at https://jenyocum.com/contact/
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