IS THIS THE SUPPLEMENT TO STOP STRESS?

It’s time to get off the roller-coaster ride of emotions.

Magnesium, B vitamins and Ashwagandha are all recommended supplements to help dial down stress and leave you feeling at ease, but have you heard of Magnolia Rhodiola? Nicola Elliott, NEOM Founder keeps this in her de-stress toolkit alongside all things Real Luxury (Read about what else Nicola keeps in her toolkit and the reason she started NEOM).

A blend of magnolia bark that has been found to relax muscles, nerves and cortisol and Rhodoila – an adaptogenic plant that taps into your mood enhancers and boosts serotonin as well as energy. It’s Shabir Daya, Pharmacist and Co-Founder of Victoria Health’s go-to recommendation for easing those pangs of anxiety.

“Magnolia has a long history in Chinese medicine for its ability to enhance sleep and calm the body while Rhodiola root is used in Russia and many parts of Europe to treat anxiety, depression and headaches. There is also growing pharmacological evidence for its use in fatigue as well as supporting mood and brain function,” he says.

WHY HAVEN’T YOU HEARD OF IT BEFORE?

Despite its use elsewhere in the world, us Brits are a bit late to the party but that’s because as with many alternative remedies, there has been some uncertainty. “It’s a supplement that targets the multiple symptoms of adrenal stress and fatigue but many endocrinologists do not endorse this as they believe that the adrenals simply carry on producing hormones continuously without having an impact on the adrenal glands themselves,” explains Shabir. “I believe (as do other scientists) that this is not correct because no gland in our body can carry on producing hormones continuously without some detriment to the body or the gland itself.”

In an ideal world we’d just avoid stressful situations so our body could remain in a state of calm and our adrenals wouldn’t go into overdrive but when you’re holding down a job, heading up the family or even trying to diarise a night out with friends, there’s no avoiding those spikes of adrenaline. Getting out in nature, having a bath and lighting a candle are all fabulous for an instant hit of endorphins, but sometimes we need a little nudge on the inside to maintain the stress-free status quo.

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DO I NEED IT?

How many times a day do you say, ‘I’m stressed’? Don’t worry, we won’t judge, it’s a constant in our vocabulary too but there is a difference between feeling stressed and feeling anxious. “They are often used interchangeably because a lot of the symptoms are the same or very similar, but stress is usually brought on by external influences such as pressures of work and relationships and this can then lead to anxiety,” continues Shabir. It also means that even if the stress goes away, the anxiety can remain and that’s what leaves you feeling overwhelmed or worried, which we then vocalise as ‘feeling stressed’.

If this sounds like you, it could be worth trialling it as it’s all of the above that this supplement aims to dial down. Taken twice a day, Shabir has found that most users will experience a calming effect on the mind, improved concentration and enhanced energy levels within a few days – pretty impressive. Plus anyone and everyone can take it unless you’re already using an alternative mood modifying drug.

WHERE CAN YOU GET IT?

You can buy both magnolia and rhodiola supplements individually but Shabir has designed a Complex that includes both, along with the addition of L-Theanine – an amino acid found in green tea that has relaxing side effects. If adding it into your daily routine could help clear that brain fog so you can think straight, react rationally and keep your mood on an even keel, we’re all for it.

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