3 Adaptogens Every Woman Over 40 Should Know About
Photo by Юрий Баринов
Feeling off lately? These herbs could be your hormone reset button.
If you're a woman over 40 and you're feeling more tired, more emotional, more foggy—and less like yourself—you're not imagining things. As hormone levels start to shift in your 40s, everything from your stress response to your sleep can get thrown off.
But there’s good news: adaptogens—a special class of herbs and roots—can help your body adapt to stress and restore a sense of balance naturally.
Below, I’ll walk you through three of the most effective adaptogens I recommend to my clients in their 40s and beyond. If you’re curious about the full list—including what I personally experienced with one that landed me calling cardiology to my office 😅—you’ll want to catch the full video linked at the end.
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens help your body adapt to stress—whether physical, emotional, or environmental. They don’t force a reaction like stimulants or sedatives. Instead, they help regulate systems like your nervous system, immune system, and hormonal pathways so that you respond more appropriately to everyday challenges.
1. Ashwagandha – For Calming the Chaos
If your mind races at night, your stress feels relentless, or you’re dealing with sleep issues, Ashwagandha could help bring your nervous system back into balance.
It’s best known for lowering elevated cortisol, promoting restful sleep, and easing the "wired but tired" sensation so many women over 40 feel.
How to take it:
Look for 300–600 mg/day of a standardized extract like KSM-66 or Sensoril, typically taken in the evening.
Results:
Some women notice better sleep or less stress within 1–2 weeks
Most see bigger changes in 4–8 weeks of consistent use
2. Holy Basil – For Emotional Stability & Immune Support
Also known as Tulsi, this adaptogen is amazing for mood regulation—especially if you find yourself more irritable, sensitive, or overwhelmed than usual.
Holy Basil gently lifts your mood, helps regulate blood sugar, and supports immune health (which often dips with chronic stress).
How to take it:
300–600 mg/day as a capsule or calming tea. It's especially helpful in the afternoon, when stress tends to peak.
Results:
Tea can feel calming almost immediately
Deeper mood support builds over 2–4 weeks
3. Rhodiola – For Energy and Mental Clarity
Struggling to get out of bed? Hitting a wall halfway through your day? Rhodiola supports energy production and improves your ability to think clearly under pressure.
It’s especially helpful for women dealing with mental burnout or physical fatigue.
How to take it:
200–400 mg/day of a standardized extract (3% rosavins, 1% salidroside), taken in the morning or early afternoon.
Results:
Many women feel an energy boost in just a few days
Full results build over 3–6 weeks
What About Libido, PMS, and Estrogen Balance?
There are two more powerful adaptogens that I highly recommend for issues like low libido, mood swings, irregular cycles, and estrogen overload—but those deserve a full explanation (and a cautionary tale from my own experience 🙈).
Watch the full video here to learn about the final two adaptogens—and which one made me think I was having a heart attack: https://youtu.be/GjB_46PIuag?si=T0FAZQR5fhRVRY5K
Want to Get Started With Hormone Balance?
If you're tired of piecing things together from Google, here's how I can help:
New to this? Grab my Hormone Balancing Starter Kit – a simple, affordable guide to the food, lifestyle, and supplements that support hormone harmony after 40.
Feeling like your hormones are out of control? Book your Hormone Testing + 1:1 Consult to get clarity and a personalized plan. https://drreneewellenstein.wellproz.com/patient/home/
Hormone shifts are real—but you don’t have to suffer through them. These adaptogens might be the missing link between how you're feeling and how you want to feel.
Let your body catch its breath—you deserve it.