In practice with families, I turn to adaptogens for almost every child I support — especially those navigating anxiety, mood swings, burnout, chronic illness, sleep struggles, focus obstacles, or the ripple effects of being in a chronic stress state. These plant allies aren’t about quick fixes — they’re about building long-term resilience and restoring nervous system regulation in a world that often asks too much of our children.
Adaptogens are time-tested herbs and mushrooms that help the body adapt to stress —physically, emotionally, and energetically. And when chosen intentionally, they become powerful tools in your home apothecary. Different personalities (not just symptoms) respond to different plant allies — and here’s how I recommend them most often, both in my home and my clinicalwork.
For the Overachieving Mama: Ashwagandha + Lion’s Mane.
Let’s start with me. I rely on Ashwagandha to soften my stress edges and help me stay grounded when life gets overwhelming. I also use Anima Mundi’s Cognitive blend, which includes Lion’s Mane — a beautiful ally for focus, clarity, and keeping my brain online when I’m toggling between clients, kids, and everything else.
For the Melancholy or Sensitive Child: Mucuna + Rhodiola
My son is deep-feeling and reflective — and sometimes that leans into heaviness. For children who feel easily discouraged or emotionally off-balance, I love Anima Mundi’s Happiness Tonic, which blends Mucuna, Rhodiola, and Ashwagandha. It’s gentle but uplifting — nervous system nourishment for the thinkers and feelers.
For the Spirited, Dysregulated Child: Reishi + Holy Basil.
Some kids burn bright — and fast. They’re always “on,” struggle with transitions, and have a hard time winding down. Reishi mushroom is one of my favorite allies here — it supports immune health and emotional regulation. I often pair it with Tulsi (Holy Basil) for calming without sedation. These herbs help settle the fire without dimming the light — and can support deeper, more restorative sleep, too.
For the Self-Doubting Middle Schooler: Ashwagandha + Rose
My daughter, like so many girls her age, is navigating big emotions, comparison traps, and pressure to be something she’s not. Anima Mundi’s Harmonize blend supports hormonal balance and emotional clarity, but what I love most is the rose — an herb of self-love and heart-centered strength. For the child carrying quiet self-doubt, rose is like a whisper: You’re enough.
For the Wired-But-Tired Partner: Cordyceps + Eleuthero
You know the type — running on fumes, always tired but still caffeinating through the day. For partners or parents with depleted adrenals and overextended energy, Cordyceps and Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) are beautiful support for stamina, recovery, and nervous system rebuilding without the crash.
For the Whole Fam: Adaptogenic Cocoa (or Carob) as a Ritual
One of my favorite ways to bring plant medicine into the family? A warm evening blend of Reishi, Ashwagandha, Cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey in oat milk. For older kids or adults, I sometimes add a small amount of ceremonial cacao — but for younger or more sensitive children, I use carob instead. It’s naturally sweet, caffeine-free, and gentle enough for everyday use. The point isn’t perfection — it’s togetherness. When you make these herbs part of a shared ritual, the medicine lands deeper.
Why This Matters
When we begin to see our family’s stress responses as patterns — not problems — we unlock new ways to support healing at the root. Adaptogens aren’t a fix-all, but when chosen with care, they meet us where we are — and gently, steadily, bring us back to balance.
If your child is struggling — with anxiety, gut issues, chronic symptoms, or emotional overwhelm — adaptogens are often one of the first tools I reach for.
Follow along at @beckonprosperity to see more of what I use in practice, explore our new summer cohort, or reach out for personalized guidance that meets your child where they are.
The Raising Wild Edit
Rooted in Wisdom. Wild at Heart.
By Jennifer Kottke, Founder of Beckon Prosperity
