Adaptogens for Summer: How to Stay Calm, Cool & Energized

Summer is a season of light, activity, and expansion. The longer days beckon us outdoors, inviting travel, social events, and movement. But with all that outward energy comes potential overstimulation—heat, hustle, and a lack of routine that can leave us feeling depleted or scattered.

This is where adaptogens come in—ancient herbal allies that help regulate the stress response and support your body’s return to balance.

What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are a class of herbs, roots, and functional mushrooms that help the body adapt to various types of stress, including physical, emotional, environmental, and even chemical stress. Unlike stimulants or sedatives that push the body in one direction, adaptogens work non-specifically, meaning they help the body maintain homeostasis depending on what it needs most.

They primarily function by supporting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system—the two major control centers for how we experience and recover from stress. Over time, adaptogens can:

• Improve resilience to stress and reduce fatigue
• Support healthy cortisol regulation
• Enhance mental clarity and cognitive function
• Modulate immune function and reduce inflammation
• Protect against oxidative damage and support longevity

Their effects are cumulative and gentle, making them safe for daily use over time, especially when sourced responsibly and used intentionally.

Why Use Adaptogens in the Summer?

Seasonally, summer is governed by yang energy—warmth, light, movement, and outward activity. While this can feel energizing, it also places demands on the body:

• Irregular routines due to travel or socializing
• Overheating and dehydration
• Increased physical activity
• Higher stress loads and poor recovery
• Shorter, lower-quality sleep from late sunsets and screen time

Adaptogens can help the body stay centered, grounded, and energized amidst all of this, supporting a healthier nervous system, stronger adrenal function, and more graceful transitions from one activity to the next.

Wonderful Adaptogens for Summer Wellness

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Best for: nervous system regulation, mood support, and adrenal fatigue

Ashwagandha is one of the most revered herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s classified as a rasayana, or rejuvenator, meaning it works deeply to restore depleted systems, especially after periods of high output.

Its benefits include:

• Lowering cortisol and calming the HPA axis
• Supporting deeper, more restorative sleep
• Helping with anxiety, irritability, and emotional overwhelm
• Promoting hormone balance, especially in perimenopause and PMS

💡 Use in the evening to support wind-down and recovery.

2. Tulsi (Holy Basil) (Ocimum sanctum)

Best for: uplifting mood, cooling the body, and easing inflammation

Tulsi is considered a sacred plant in India, often grown outside homes and temples. It’s uniquely helpful for summer because it:

• Has cooling properties that counteract excess heat
• Supports clarity, focus, and mood regulation
• Helps manage low-grade inflammation
• Is gentle enough to use daily in tea or tincture form

💡 Make iced Tulsi tea with lemon and mint for a hydrating, stress-soothing summer drink.

3. Rhodiola Rosea

Best for: physical endurance, mental stamina, and heat-related fatigue

Native to high altitudes and cold climates, Rhodiola supports:

• Increased oxygen uptake—great for hiking, traveling, or heat fatigue
• Better concentration and memory
• Improved physical endurance without overstimulation
• Shorter recovery time from stressors, exercise, or illness

💡 Take in the morning or before workouts for best results.

4. Schisandra Berry (Schisandra chinensis)

Best for: liver support, skin vitality, and gentle detox

Schisandra is an adaptogen and a tonic, meaning it nourishes multiple body systems at once. This five-flavor berry:

• Supports liver detoxification (especially useful after alcohol, travel, or sun exposure)
• Helps clear skin and boost elasticity through its antioxidant profile
• Enhances mental clarity and libido
• Balances mood swings and mental fatigue

💡 Add to herbal elixirs or tinctures as a daily summer skin support.

5. Cordyceps

Best for: sustained energy, athletic performance, and cellular oxygenation

This medicinal mushroom is especially powerful for people on the move:

• Boosts ATP production, increasing cellular energy
• Enhances lung function and endurance
• Improves recovery after workouts or outdoor adventures
• Helps with fatigue and burnout without overstimulating the nervous system

💡 Combine with maca or ginseng for a hormone-friendly performance boost.

How to Use Adaptogens in Summer

Adaptogens can be consumed in various forms, including capsules, powders, tinctures, teas, and even functional beverages. The key is consistency and intention. Here are a few ideas for incorporating them:

• Morning rituals: Start your day with a Rhodiola-Cordyceps blend in your smoothie or latte alternative.
• Cooling afternoon tea: Sip iced Tulsi or Schisandra throughout the day.
• Travel support: Use tinctures of Ashwagandha or Schisandra to stay grounded and refreshed.
• Post-sun recovery: Blend adaptogens with electrolyte drinks or collagen-rich mocktails to support hydration and skin health.
• Sleep support: Take Ashwagandha or a calming mushroom blend before bed to help your body recover overnight.
  

What to Look for in an Adaptogen Product

Not all adaptogen supplements are created equal. When choosing products:

• Look for organic or wildcrafted ingredients
• Avoid fillers, artificial flavors, or sweeteners
• Choose reputable brands that third-party test their products
• Whenever possible, purchase from companies that are transparent about sourcing and sustainability

At Echo Market, we curate only the highest quality adaptogenic products that align with our values of purity, sustainability, and whole-body health.

Final Reflections: Adapt to Thrive

The beauty of summer lies in its vibrancy, but vibrancy isn’t the same as overstimulation. Adaptogens allow you to participate in the season with vitality while staying rooted, calm, and well-rested.

This is the art of seasonal wellness: choosing tools that flow with nature, rather than force against it.

Let adaptogens be your herbal allies this season, inviting you to move with more ease, recover with more grace, and live with more presence.