Adaptogens and Ceremony: Allies for Stress, Burnout and Hormonal Balance
Words like "burnout", "overwhelm", and "anxiety" come up so often in the conversations I have with clients and ceremony participants. As a Medical Herbalist, I have been supporting people on their healing journey for over 30 years. By taking note of their stories in detail, I can uncover the root of the problem and help them find the path to true healing. One common theme I see is the constant state of stress people are living in, and how that stress is seriously affecting our health. The pressure to keep on top of our financial demands, give our best performance at work, care for others, and a lack of time to rest and attend to our mind-body’s needs all takes its toll on us, especially on our nervous systems and our hormones. Many people are living on the edge of burnout - and it takes just one more drama in life to tip the balance, and bring them to their knees with exhaustion, panic attacks, and significant hormone imbalances like an early menopause or sexual dysfunction.
Now the good news, I've noticed a beautiful trend emerging as well. More and more people are turning back to the nature for support in these difficult times. Working with plants and healing ritual practices, in search of healing and renewal.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing people transform pain into peace. And so we must address the root of the problem, as the stress isn't going anywhere. Life isn't getting easier, so how do we navigate back to health when things are not going to change externally? We have to find a way to cope better, we adapt! One of the most powerful ways we can support ourselves in making this shift within, is by inviting adaptogenic herbs into our daily lives and working with healing ritual practices.
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are a class of herbs that help the body adapt to stress, balance hormones, and restore resilience. Rather than working like a pharmaceutical "quick fix," these plant allies support the body in finding its own equilibrium over time.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) — calming, nourishing, supports the adrenals, and emotionally helps us access our passion and zest for life. Ashwagandha is also a powerful liver tonic and can gently support the body's ability to detoxify, though it carries a slightly heating energy, so a low dos at a pinch a day is often enough.
Holy Basil (Tulsi) — uplifts the spirit and balances cortisol levels, which in turn supports a healthier hormonal system. Tulsi soothes the heart, balances blood sugar levels, and offers powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Spiritually, it has long been revered in Ayurvedic tradition as a sacred herb that brings clarity and calm to both mind and heart.
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) — enhances mental clarity, strengthens the nervous system, and protects against stress while building long-term vitality. Schisandra is considered a supreme tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine, said to nourish and balance all five major organs: the lungs, liver, heart, kidneys, and spleen. I often reach for Schisandra when stress begins to affect hormonal balance, libido, and overall resilience.
Reishi Mushroom — offers deep immune support, emotional grounding, and has been treasured for thousands of years as a longevity tonic in Chinese medicine. Reishi is known as the "Mushroom of Immortality," supporting not only physical immunity but also emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It calms the nervous system, eases anxiety, and invites a state of peaceful presence, making it a beautiful ally for meditation, ceremony, and restorative practices.
These herbs are not just for the physical body; they work on the emotional and spiritual levels too, bringing a deeper sense of alignment and inner calm.
Bringing Adaptogens into Your Healing Rituals
One of my favourite ways to work with adaptogens is to sit with a warm cup of cacao infused with ashwagandha and rose, and meditate with my gongs. My body softens, my mind clears and I remember how it feels to be in a natural state of ease.
Adaptogens can be part of:
Morning rituals: starting the day with a meditation as you sip a strengthening herbal tea or cacao blend with a pinch of ashwagandha or reishi mushroom to wake up in a great mood!
New and full moon ceremonies: honouring cycles and setting intentions, join me for a cacao and gong healing ceremony to help you rebalance and be at your best all month long!
Bedtime rituals: If you prefer a bedtime ritual - you may enjoy cup of cacao with rose, or a soothing herbal tea to heal frazzled nerves before bed. This can be your time to nurture yourself, tune into how good it feels to soften gently into sleep.
A Simple Adaptogenic Cacao Recipe
Here's a nourishing recipe you can try at home:
Adaptogenic Cacao Elixir:
20g ceremonial cacao (or 1 tbsp raw cacao powder)
1/2 tsp ashwagandha powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of Himalayan salt
Optional: touch of maple syrup or honey
Plant milk or hot water to blend
Set an intention as you prepare your drink.
Breathe deeply.
Sip slowly, allowing the plant medicines to nourish body, heart, and mind.
An Invitation to Rest, Rebalance & Remember
If you feel the call to step away from the noise of the world and reconnect with yourself, I warmly invite you to join one of my upcoming Cacao Ceremonies, Drum Circles or sign up to the YouTube channel for news about the upcoming free Plant Spirit Healing Journeys. Together, we create sacred space for healing, using the ancient wisdom of plants and the power of ceremony to guide us home to ourselves.
You might also like to explore my online course Make your own Flower Essences, designed to help you deepen your relationship with these plant allies and weave more ritual into your everyday life—at your own pace, in your own space. Or, if you feel drawn to a deeper shamanic path, join me for The Shaman’s Way: A 13 Moon Healing Journey, an immersive, in-person training in energy healing, ritual, and transformation.
If you feel the need for more personalised support, you can also work with me 1:1 as a Medical Herbalist and Energy Healer. In our sessions, I take time to truly hear your story, understand your body, and respond to your emotional and spiritual needs with bespoke herbal formulas, energetic healing, and grounded guidance. This is where deep transformation begins—when we are truly seen.
Let this be your reminder:
You are allowed to rest.
You are allowed to receive.
You are allowed to be nourished.
With love & plant magic,
Sorrel, Plant Spirit Medicine Woman
Disclaimer:
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
Please consult a healthcare professional before using herbal remedies, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.
