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Super Powders: Adaptogenic Herbs and Mushrooms for Energy, Beauty, Mood, and Well-Being
From the author of Best Green Drinks Ever , a primer and cookbook for adaptogens Natural remedies for various physical ailments are well known; now hitting the scene are supplements―made from berries, mushrooms, herbs, and other plants― that can help the body (and mind) adapt to stress. These “adaptogens” work towards restoring balance, enhancing focus and stamina, boosting energy, and improving mood. In Super Powders , health coach Katrine van Wyk takes 20 adaptogens and describes what they are and how to use them. She might recommend goji berries for mood, astragalus for immunity, reishi and moringa for anxiety relief. Then van Wyk shares the dozens of recipes she’s developed, Adaptogens should be part of every healthy person’s routine, and this appealing book can reveal everything you need to know to get started. 50 color photographs
192 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2019
45 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 21, 2021
I liked the minimalist design (those powders look so good on their own without any decorations!) and the simplicity of descriptions. What I didn't like was the author's cautiousness, repeating hundred times: "Consult your doctor/family physician first!", I mean, are you serious, my family doctor absolutely hates such (non-pharma) substances, and overall in my life I have met only one doctor (neurologist) who told me about reishi and rodiola and it was like: "Tss, don't tell anybody I suggested you this (this is my last day at this job anyway)!" Do doctors even know about adaptogens?
Ok, I am moving to next book about this subject (I feel there are better ones out there), but will return to try out some recipes.
Ok, I am moving to next book about this subject (I feel there are better ones out there), but will return to try out some recipes.
August 10, 2022
Super Powders is packaged adorably and written by a nurse. It is well organized and is easy to understand. I also like the sections on individual herbs, which balance benefits and warnings.
It is interesting that it’s a book on adaptogenic powders, kind of used as a first line of self care towards lowering stress and getting healthy. Why powders? Much harder tadaptogenico tell the quality of the herb, or to connect intellectually and emotionally to each plant.
so, ad aptogens generally aren’t the first group of herbs that herbalists start with. This is kind of a Western medicine view of herbs, being useful as drugs, versus the more holistic medicine or traditional herbalism’s world where the goal is to balance things out in the body.
A US-based nurse is used to seeing people and coordinating care—and these powders are a lot stronger than say, a food based dietary change or a cup of chamomile tea. This is probably because of who she sees in her practice—but educating that group of patients is different than developing a book for the general public.
If that’s really the case, many herbalists start things out much more gently. This nurse does try to ease people into making diet/So, the way this nurse starts gently is that, at least the recipe I tried, had so little herbs in it that it was not going to do anything except taste good (which the recipes did.
I just don’t get the point of making 10 adaptogen macaron “balls” with only 1 tsp of herb total in the entire batch (astragalus in that case). There’s not a point of even making the recipe if all you get it 1/10 tsp of the herb in each serving, unless you’re microdosing?
Re recipes—for my taste, I had to amp up both the taste elements and the amount of herbs I wanted to use for myself tin the recipes I tried (ex quadrupling the amount of peppermint oil in one case, etc.).
Anyway,
I had a lot of fun reading and trying out this book. I got it from the library, but I don’t think I’m ready to pay full price to add it to my library. Still—it’s a different take on things and so enjoyed it very much especially with the nurses clinical background and experience with the herbs.
It is interesting that it’s a book on adaptogenic powders, kind of used as a first line of self care towards lowering stress and getting healthy. Why powders? Much harder tadaptogenico tell the quality of the herb, or to connect intellectually and emotionally to each plant.
so, ad aptogens generally aren’t the first group of herbs that herbalists start with. This is kind of a Western medicine view of herbs, being useful as drugs, versus the more holistic medicine or traditional herbalism’s world where the goal is to balance things out in the body.
A US-based nurse is used to seeing people and coordinating care—and these powders are a lot stronger than say, a food based dietary change or a cup of chamomile tea. This is probably because of who she sees in her practice—but educating that group of patients is different than developing a book for the general public.
If that’s really the case, many herbalists start things out much more gently. This nurse does try to ease people into making diet/So, the way this nurse starts gently is that, at least the recipe I tried, had so little herbs in it that it was not going to do anything except taste good (which the recipes did.
I just don’t get the point of making 10 adaptogen macaron “balls” with only 1 tsp of herb total in the entire batch (astragalus in that case). There’s not a point of even making the recipe if all you get it 1/10 tsp of the herb in each serving, unless you’re microdosing?
Re recipes—for my taste, I had to amp up both the taste elements and the amount of herbs I wanted to use for myself tin the recipes I tried (ex quadrupling the amount of peppermint oil in one case, etc.).
Anyway,
I had a lot of fun reading and trying out this book. I got it from the library, but I don’t think I’m ready to pay full price to add it to my library. Still—it’s a different take on things and so enjoyed it very much especially with the nurses clinical background and experience with the herbs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2021
I’m sad there are so few reviews of this book. I found it fascinating and oh so informative.
I knew of some of these adaptogens, such as goji and moringa. I use them almost daily but I didn’t know what their benefits were until I read this book.
The book is very easily written. I have an accounting background not a nutrition background and I could understand what the author was saying to me.
There’s a simple overview of each adaptogen (voice command either does not know this word or it’s my Philadelphia accent confusing it); followed by their benefits; then who would most benefit from these powders; followed by cautions; and finally ways (recipes) to use the powders.
My shopping cart at Mountain Rose Herbs is filled much like my usual cart at Target.
I knew of some of these adaptogens, such as goji and moringa. I use them almost daily but I didn’t know what their benefits were until I read this book.
The book is very easily written. I have an accounting background not a nutrition background and I could understand what the author was saying to me.
There’s a simple overview of each adaptogen (voice command either does not know this word or it’s my Philadelphia accent confusing it); followed by their benefits; then who would most benefit from these powders; followed by cautions; and finally ways (recipes) to use the powders.
My shopping cart at Mountain Rose Herbs is filled much like my usual cart at Target.
September 8, 2023
This is a bit too... much, I think is the best word. I don't know who would have time for this except the ultra-rich or health influencers. Honestly, it takes the fun out of what is an interesting topic. Thoughts and prayers if you've got a nut allergy!
August 4, 2019
Great introduction and overview of many adaptogens.
September 25, 2019
Loooved it!
A nice short reading about adaptogens with some amazing recipes. I tried the green popcorn one! It was delicious ❤️
A nice short reading about adaptogens with some amazing recipes. I tried the green popcorn one! It was delicious ❤️
August 12, 2020
Interesting starter to know about adaptogens, more pics of the plants and mushrooms mentioned are more appreciated.
January 29, 2021
Informative with pros and cons, and some recipes
May 30, 2022
Great resource
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews