Adaptogenic Apothecary – medical herbalist formulated adaptogen support
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Adaptogenic Apothecary is a range of herbs, botanical and fungi-based formulas targeted to ease modern day stresses, including lack of energy, focus and sleep. Founded by two sisters, Paris and Jodie Welton, suffering during the changes of perimenopause, the transparent and trustworthy formulas are created with a medical herbalist to elevate ancient wisdoms with modern science. I caught up with the founders to hear how medicinal mushrooms interact with human physiology, their own life shifts after using the adaptogens day-to-day, and building an independent wellness brand from the ground up.
As a born and bred Londoner who grew up imbibing the culture of the city long before wellness, natural alternative medicine or even conversations around mental health were mainstream, my way into Adaptogenic Apothecary was the sister’s experiences with hormonal changes and life trauma before there were natural remedies available, ‘I had been unconsciously exploring alternative paths since my 20’s at a time when the UK normalised disconnection and even alcohol as remedies,’ begins Paris, ‘however in lockdown, having worked in stressful corporate business for a long time, and suffering perimenopausal symptoms my body just exploded. I was rushed to hospital and all I was offered was sedatives.’ That was the catalyst for the sisters to bring together their experiences (Jodie had training in meditation and breathwork) to further explore the potential of adaptogens they had found efficacy from.
Together with medical herbalist, Sara Rooney, who specialises in female health and hormones, they created the hero formula, Harmony; ‘the world’s first menstrual cycle supplement that supports each phase of the menstrual cycle with targeted adaptogens, mushrooms and botanicals. We created this for our personal use, but our friends started asking us if they could try and then friends of friends and next we had a business.’
As mushrooms have become a social media trend, I comment on how I find the misinformation surrounding fungi and even entheogen (that one mushroom experience can undo years of past stored trauma) dangerous; they concur, ‘As a herbalist with a degree in herbal Medicine and postgraduate training in mycotherapy, my work with medicinal mushrooms is grounded in biochemistry, pharmacology and an understanding of how these compounds interact with human physiology, she continues, ‘My approach is looking at how medicinal mushrooms can be used to support health and optimise vitality. Mushrooms have been part of our food and medicine for millennia. I look at how constituents behave in the body, how they influence pathways such as neuroplasticity, immune modulation and gut–brain signalling, and how they can be integrated safely alongside a person’s wider support.’ The founders add, ‘This is the same evidence‑aware approach that informs Adaptogenic Apothecary. When I work with functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, we look at the chemistry. The fruiting body provides beta‑glucans and hericenones, while dual extracts concentrate both water‑soluble polysaccharides and alcohol‑soluble diterpenoids such as erinacines. Understanding these constituents, their absorption, their interactions and their limitations allow me to formulate products that are effective, physiologically grounded and realistic in their claims.’
As someone who has gone through extreme trauma and lives with daily anxiety as a result, I have gone through an intense healing process to try and unravel the brain’s mis-wiring. Although I have found instant relief from CBD products, my way into Adaptogenic Apothecary was how daily use could integrate nervous system relief and more joy into life in the long term. I have found profound benefits from daily use of the Exhale Relaxing Glycerite Drops, made from Reishi mushroom dual extract, Chamomile, Rose buds, Lavender and other goodies for dropping the body into a relaxed state. Tart to taste but effective they can also be dropped into a drink of choice.
I talk to the sisters about my experience of psoriasis during extremely stressful periods and how Adaptogenic Apothecary formulas can realign energy and flow. They are incisive, ‘in our experience psoriasis is strongly linked to chronic stress physiology; adaptogenic apothecary formulations are designed to support the nervous system, modulate inflammation, and help to shift the body out of constant alarm state.’ For example, reishi, cordyceps and saffron all play a role in that process; ‘reishi supports parasympathetic activation, helps calm-over-firing stress pathways and gentle modulates immune activity. Cordyceps works more on energy regulation and resilience, supporting mitochondrial function and helping the body recover from long periods of depletion. And saffron has evidence around mood regulation, supporting healthier neural signalling, which can be helpful when stress has created looping fear-based patterns.’
I was also interested in Sara Rooney’s (the medical herbalist) past experiences working with shaman and how ancient wisdoms can be elevated with modern science; she explains, ‘During my time in Ecuador working with an Indigenous rainforest‑protection project, I met the community shaman responsible for propagating and collecting the medicinal plants used within their culture. With over 15 years of clinical experience, I’ve seen how emotions, long‑term stress and dysregulated nervous‑system patterns can manifest physiologically; raising inflammation, disrupting endocrine balance and contributing to symptoms. Herbs and adaptogens don’t remove karmic blocks but they can support the body’s capacity to regulate itself in the long term.’
Other targeted formulations include: Freedom, Power, Calm, Peace, all full of 100% natural ingredients, vegan adaptogen and functional mushrooms with no synthetic vitamins or fillers. And other alcohol-free Glycerites including Inhale and Protect.
Adaptogenic Apothecary stands apart from the saturation of online wellness companies largely because apart from the transparent, trustworthy ranges, the sisters are so receptive about the challenges of the modern world for women of all ages and stages. I put to Paris and Jodie how I’ve noticed that women are experiencing perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms so early and it’s difficult to tell that apart from everyday stresses. ‘I don’t think it is coincidental that the generation experiencing peri and menopause now are the generation of women who were sold the ‘you can have it all’ narrative. There has never been a generation of women who were expected to do so much and do it without a village to support them,’ they incisively comment. Going back to the first product developed Harmony ‘a four-phase approach to menstrual cycle and perimenopause support. The starting point was recognising that we don’t necessarily feel the same throughout the month, so why approach our needs as though we do? We wanted to acknowledge that changing energy throughout the 4 phases of the cycle: menstruation, follicular, ovulation and luteal, and create something more thoughtful around it, drawing on medical herbal knowledge.’ Harmony comes in a 28-day powder box with easy-to-use sachets for each stage of the cycle.
Adaptogenic Apothecary is meeting the moment building not just a product range but encouraging community; they have started a monthly online women’s circle and regularly share recipes to help people see how these magical tinctures can fit into their day.
They finish, ‘Our ambition is to reach as many people as possible with our formulas, while helping them reconnect with something much older: the relationship between people, plants and the knowledge passed between generations. We believe plant-based medicine firmly belongs in the future.’