Centuries-Old Ingredients in a Modern World — Backed by Science for Mind, Heart, and the Gut-Brain Connection

Nelea Lane, CMWC
Aug 11, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Sep 2, 2025

Some can never be replaced — like the plants, herbs, and nutrients people have been using for centuries to support mood, energy, and hormone balance.

The difference now? We have modern science showing why these centuries-old ingredients may work and how they can be used in a daily routine for better mental wellness, gut health, and stress resilience.

Saffron threads for mood and mental wellness

As a Certified Mental Wellness Coach, I help women figure out where to start when they want improved focus, balanced hormones, steady energy, and fewer “ugh” days. Over and over, I’ve seen that it’s not about just trying “one thing” — it’s about supporting all three of your brains:

Mind (head brain) for thinking, focus, and creativity
Heart (heart brain) for emotional balance and stress management
Gut (gut brain) for mood, hormone balance, digestion, and immune support

When you give each brain the right kind of natural support, everything works together — and you feel more like yourself again.

The Mind — Nootropic Support for Focus and Clarity

Your mind thrives when you nourish it with nootropics, natural brain-supporting ingredients, that help maintain focus, memory, and mental clarity while protecting brain cells from everyday stress.

Saffron – Helps maintain a positive mood and supports mental focus without overstimulation.
Pine Bark Extract – Supports working memory, cognitive performance, and mental clarity.
Mango Leaf Extract – Promotes mental energy and helps reduce occasional fatigue.
Lychee Fruit Extract – Helps the body manage normal cortisol levels and supports skin appearance.
Palm Fruit Bioactives – Supports brain plasticity, learning, and memory.
Gotu Kola – Supports calm focus without the crash.

The Heart — Adaptogen Support for Stress and Emotional Balance

Your “heart brain” is closely tied to your stress response and emotional resilience. Adaptogens are centuries-old herbs and mushrooms that help your body adjust to everyday stress and maintain balance.

Ashwagandha – Helps manage normal cortisol levels and supports deep, restorative sleep.
Rhodiola – Supports endurance, mental performance, and resilience during stressful times.
Cordyceps – Helps maintain stamina and supports healthy oxygen use in the body.
Shatavari – Traditionally used to support hormonal balance and vitality for women.
Kanna – Supports a calm, uplifted mood and helps maintain motivation during stress.

The Gut — Psychobiotic and Prebiotic Support for the Gut-Brain Connection

Your gut plays a huge role in mood, hormone balance, and immune health — and it’s a key part of the gut-brain connection. Supporting the beneficial bacteria in your gut with psychobiotics and prebiotics can have a ripple effect on your mental wellness, stress resilience, and overall vitality.

Clinically Studied Probiotic Strains – Certain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains help support mood, stress resilience, and healthy sleep.
Prebiotic Fibers – Feed beneficial gut bacteria, help maintain healthy cortisol levels, and support mental clarity.
Beta-Glucans – Support balanced immune function, which is closely connected to mood and overall well-being.

Why This Matters for Women in Midlife

If you’ve noticed shifts in mood, focus, energy, or sleep, especially during perimenopause or menopause, supporting all three brains can help you:

Handle stress more effectively
Keep hormones steadier
Improve sleep quality
Boost natural energy without caffeine crashes
Feel more like yourself again

It’s not about quick fixes. It’s about giving your mind, heart, and gut the right support every day.

Free Finding Happy Guide by a Certified Mental Wellness Coach, featuring mood-boosting mocktail recipes, gut health tips, and lifestyle habits to improve motivation, metabolism, and emotional wellness.

Your Next Step

This is where I come in. My job isn’t to throw 10 bottles of supplements at you and hope something works. I help women choose the right starting point based on what their body is asking for — mind, gut, heart, or all three.

If you’re curious which “brain” needs the most love right now, I have two easy ways to help you figure it out:

Take my “What’s Your Stress Type?” quiz for a quick, personalized starting point. (Screenshot or write down your results and watch for an email directly from me.)
Download my Finding Happy guide to see how these centuries-old ingredients can fit into a daily routine that supports your mind, heart, and gut.

Your three brains are always in conversation. When you feed them the right way, you’re not just getting through the day — you’re thriving.

Start My Quiz & Get the Guide

Know someone who needs more energy and better mood naturally? Share this with them or tag them in the comments!

Until next time, keep listening to your body and give your brains what they need to support you.

Nelea R. Lane, CMWC

Certified Mental Wellness Coach

aka The Happy Juice Chick

Have questions? Message me here

*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.