你身邊有「氛圍感女孩」嗎？
Emily 從國外回來後，和她聚餐了幾次，原本看她在國外的生活繽紛燦爛、夜夜笙歌，以為是個很會喝酒的酒咖，沒想到幾次相見下來發現其實她是不太喝酒的人，她看似生活精緻，活潑又愛社交，但其實她向來都以茶和果汁代酒。
像 Emily 這樣的女孩，她們享受和朋友一起聚餐玩樂，熱衷與人社交，享受當下的感覺，這就「氛圍感女孩」。或許這也就是你我的狀態，有時候酒精是一種氣氛催化劑，是在那個場合的合宜舉動，也是結束一天繁忙行程後的小逃離。
但是，酒精的刺激，酒精的味道，宿醉的感覺，都是令人為之卻步的。
“其實，我們真的沒那麼喜歡喝酒。” 這也是你的心聲嗎？
在娛樂夜生活和無酒精生活本是平行的兩種選擇，在近期的一個新趨勢上有了交集 ——「適應原飲品」。
什麼是適應原？
這是一個具有年代歷史的養身智慧，在東方和阿育吠陀醫學皆可查見，但直到近 40 年時，才有科學家用 “Adaptogen 適應原” 一詞統稱這類食材。它們是一系列提升抵抗力、抗壓性的天然食材。
「適應原食材」可以平衡身體機能，使情緒恢復平靜。而能被納入這神奇的大家族需要符合以下三個為標準：
➊ 提升身體抵抗力或提升精神抗壓性。
➋ 可使身體回到平衡或平靜的最佳狀態。
➌ 萃取自天然食材，對身體健康無害。
有哪些天然食材屬於適應原？
⻄洋參 American Ginseng
原產於北美洲的人參品種，通常只食用其根部部分。因此在秋季從土裡挖採後，便會洗淨後曬乾使用。食用偏甘甜但後味些微苦澀。
枸杞 Goji Berry
生長於灌木上，最出名的產地為於中國寧夏。果實從夏季便可陸續採摘至秋季，而葉子須待春季至初夏才宜採摘。果實風味甘甜，但葉子些微有苦味。
南非醉茄 Ashwagandha
是阿育吠陀醫學中古老的草本植物。生長在矮小的灌木中，多半使用其根部。目前有眾多品種。
洋甘草 Licorice root
產地廣泛，從中國到⻄亞，甚至南歐都有分布。
主要食用其根及莖部。
紅景天 Rhodiola rosea
在《神農本草經》記載:「紅景天為君，主養命應天，無毒，多服久服不傷人，欲輕身益氣，不老延年者。」便稱其為上品之藥。生長在嚴酷的氣候環境下，多半在海拔1萬英尺且氧氣濃度較低的寒冷地帶。
> 此 5 種適應原食材特性與食用注意事項：
| 食用功效 | 注意事項 | |
| 西洋蔘 American Ginseng |
提升記憶力、縮短反應時間、恢復平靜、提升免疫系統 | 服用抗凝血藥人群 須注意食用 |
| 枸杞 Goji Berry |
加強能量、維持平靜、幫助睡眠 | 過敏人群 須注意食用 |
| 南非醉茄 Ashwagandha | 舒緩情緒、抵抗壓力 | 孕期及哺乳人群 須注意食用 |
| 洋甘草 Licorice Root |
抗氧化 | 患有高血壓、缺納、腎病、心血管疾病及孕婦，須注意食用 |
| 紅景天 Rhodiola rosea |
消除生理或精神疲勞 | 食用後或有暈眩及口乾舌燥情況 |
適應原飲品真的能替代酒精嗎？
說實話，適應原飲品無法替代酒精帶來那「醉醺醺的感覺」，但能夠以健康平靜的心情替代神經麻痺。
其實喝醉的感受是一種神經麻痺，酒精讓神經變得遲鈍，所以有暈飄飄的感覺。雖然適應元飲品無法複製酒醉微醺的感受，但這些天然食材被攝入後，身體會產身奇妙的作用，如：舒緩下丘腦、垂體及腎上腺體等應激反應，且不影響大腦的認知及判斷。
由於其功效是透過神經舒緩進而帶來平靜而愉悅的狀態，幫助我們達到情緒上的理想狀態，因此用一句話介紹適應原就是，“在壓迫時平靜，在憂鬱時舒緩，在焦慮時清晰”。
所以，如果是想追求酒醉狀態的替代品，那這恐怕會讓你大失所望！但是，若你想尋求日常舒緩及鎮定的飲品，它或許會是你的救星。目前在歐美已經開始盛行含有適應原成分的日常飲品，它們具備從使人放鬆、提振精神、解決失眠等多種不同種功效。雖然台灣還目前沒有相關的飲料上市，但相信不久之後應該會有令人期待的新型飲品吧！
在保健食品觀念已普及的現在，我們都知道哪些元素可以補充身體健康，但是你知道哪些成分可以幫助心靈情緒上的健康嗎？快來了解 Adaptogen 適應原吧！
適應原食品百百種，每一樣有自己獨特的營養成分，也有自己不同的風味。根據自身狀況補充所需的天然適應原食品，將帶來讓人更神清氣爽的全新生活狀態！
想了解更多關於適原的相關資訊嗎？未來我們將發布更多相關內容，敬請期待～
Adaptogenic Beverages: Replace Alcohol's Numbness with Inner Calm
Do you have a "clean girl" in your circle?
After Emily returned from abroad, we had dinner together several times. From her vibrant social media posts showing a life full of parties and nightlife, I thought she was a heavy drinker. Surprisingly, after meeting her a few times, I discovered she rarely drinks alcohol. Despite her refined lifestyle and sociable nature, she's always preferred tea and juice over alcohol.
Girls like Emily, who enjoy dining and having fun with friends, are passionate about socializing and living in the moment - they're what we call "vibes girls." Perhaps this describes you too. Sometimes alcohol serves as a social catalyst, a fitting choice for certain occasions, or a small escape after a busy day.
However, the stimulation from alcohol, its taste, and the hangover feeling can all be deterrents.
"Actually, we don't really enjoy drinking that much." Does this resonate with you?
While nightlife entertainment and alcohol-free living used to be parallel choices, they've recently found an intersection in a new trend - "adaptogenic beverages."
What are Adaptogens?
This is an ancient wellness wisdom found in both Eastern and Ayurvedic medicine, though the term "Adaptogen" was only coined by scientists about 40 years ago to classify these ingredients. They are a series of natural ingredients that boost immunity and stress resistance.
Adaptogenic ingredients can balance bodily functions and restore emotional calm. To be classified in this remarkable family, ingredients must meet these three criteria:
➊ Enhance physical immunity or mental stress resistance.
➋ Help the body return to a balanced or calm optimal state.
➌ Derived from natural ingredients and harmless to health.
What Natural Ingredients are Considered Adaptogens?
American Ginseng
A ginseng species native to North America, primarily its roots are used. After harvesting from the soil in autumn, the roots are washed and dried. It has a sweet taste with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Goji Berry
Growing on shrubs, the most famous production area is Ningxia, China. The fruits can be harvested from summer through autumn, while the leaves are best collected from spring to early summer. The fruits have a sweet flavor, but the leaves have a slightly bitter taste.
Ashwagandha
An ancient herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It grows as a small shrub, and primarily the roots are used. Many varieties currently exist.
Licorice Root
Widely distributed from China to Western Asia, and even Southern Europe.
The roots and stems are mainly used.
Rhodiola rosea
According to the "Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica," Rhodiola rosea was considered a supreme herb that "nourishes life in harmony with heaven, is non-toxic, and can be taken long-term without harm, beneficial for those seeking vitality and longevity." It grows in harsh climatic conditions, typically in cold regions at 10,000 feet elevation with lower oxygen levels.
> Properties and Precautions for These 5 Adaptogenic Ingredients:
| Benefits | Precautions | |
| American Ginseng | Enhances memory, reduces reaction time, restores calmness, boosts immune system | Those taking blood-thinning medications should exercise caution |
| Goji Berry | Boosts energy, maintains calmness, aids sleep | Those with allergies should exercise caution |
| Ashwagandha | Soothes emotions, reduces stress | Pregnant and nursing individuals should exercise caution |
| Licorice Root | Antioxidant properties | Those with hypertension, sodium deficiency, kidney disease, cardiovascular conditions, and pregnant women should exercise caution |
| Rhodiola rosea | Eliminates physical and mental fatigue | May cause dizziness and dry mouth |
Can Adaptogenic Beverages Really Replace Alcohol?
Truthfully, adaptogenic beverages cannot replicate the "tipsy feeling" of alcohol, but they can replace neural numbness with a healthy, calm state of mind.
The feeling of intoxication is actually a form of neural numbness, where alcohol dulls nerve responses, creating that floating sensation. While adaptogenic beverages can't replicate the tipsy feeling of alcohol, these natural ingredients have remarkable effects when consumed, such as: soothing the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands' stress responses without affecting cognitive function and judgment.
Since their effects work through neural relaxation to bring about a state of calm and pleasure, helping us achieve an ideal emotional state, adaptogens can be described in one sentence: "Calming under pressure, soothing in depression, clear-minded in anxiety".
So, if you're looking for an alternative to alcohol intoxication, this might disappoint you! However, if you're seeking daily relaxation and tranquility in beverage form, this could be your solution. Adaptogenic beverages are already trending in Europe and America, offering various benefits from relaxation to energy boosting and sleep improvement. While such beverages aren't yet available in Taiwan, we can expect exciting new options in the near future!
In today's world where health supplements are commonplace, we all know which elements can supplement physical health, but do you know which ingredients can support emotional and mental wellness? Come learn about adaptogens!
There are numerous adaptogenic foods, each with its unique nutritional profile and flavor. Supplementing with natural adaptogens based on your personal needs can lead to a refreshingly new state of life!
Want to learn more about adaptogens? Stay tuned for more related content coming soon~
