The Power Of Herbs For Better Health
Today’s naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners understand the influence that stress has on the human body, including the many diseases and disorders that are caused by or made worse by stress. We are continually learning more as a healthcare community about how stress affects the body, mind, and emotions. Thus, finding natural remedies and treatments that help people deal with stress and its influences on the body is a crucial healthcare goal.
That is why adaptogens are so important to alternative and complementary medicine today. Adaptogens are a classification of herbal medicine that includes plants that help your body adapt to or cope with stress. Adaptogens come in many different forms and have different effects on the body, but their greatest benefit is how they alter the body’s response to stress.
If you are interested in learning more about adaptogens, including how these herbs help your physical and mental health, keep reading. We share with you the most potent adaptogenic herbs, their many health and wellness benefits, and how to include more adaptogens in your daily routine. If you are ready to say “enough” to stress in your life, then learning about adaptogens is an excellent step in the right direction.
What Are Adaptogenic Herbs
Stress can come from many diverse sources these days, and it can be either physical or mental. When you feel stressed, your body naturally diverts attention and resources to those areas of the body that are naturally designed to handle it.
However, these ingrained mechanisms were designed to help our bodies respond to life- threatening stress that could lead to harm or death, not the stress of running late to work or over financial worries. But our bodies do not necessarily know the difference.
Learning to respond more appropriately to stress and minimize the damage that stress can do to the body, is why we should be consuming more adaptogenic herbs. These mighty plants help our bodies respond more appropriately to everyday stress so that when real danger comes, we are prepared to act.
Defining Adaptogens
Herbalists and naturopaths would describe adaptogens as herbal pharmaceuticals. A handbook of medicinal herbs (National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs) first used the label “adaptogen” “in 1947 to describe specific plants that could increase the “body’s resistance to stress resulting from trauma, anxiety, and fatigue.”
Since then, adaptogens have also been described as plants that can protect users from physical, emotional, and mental stress, mainly by strengthening the immune system and lowering the impact of stress hormones.
Stress’ effects on your body can be very damaging, including causing significant changes to your immune, endocrine, and neurological systems, to name a few. Adaptogens help to counteract these harmful effects, enabling you to remain healthy and well.
As the presence and effects of stress are being felt more acutely in our society, it is no wonder, then, that there is renewed interest in this classification of herbs among the alternative and complementary medicine community. The plants in this category come from many different species but all exhibit the same effects on the body, which is to allow for a healthier stress response.
Not all adaptogens work in the same way, so their influences on the body will differ, but the end result is the same. And the effects of one herb on one person may differ from its effects on another, which is why we introduce so many different adaptogens in this guide. We want you to find those that work best for you.
How Adaptogens Work
To understand how adaptogens work, we first need to examine exactly what happens inside your body when you experience stress. When you encounter a stressor, you enter the first of three distinct phases of stress-response. The first is the alarm phase, where your body recognizes that something is wrong. This triggers a physiological response in your endocrine system.
When your brain detects possible danger or emotional trauma, it sends a distress call to your hypothalamus, which is basically your stress-response command center. It communicates with the rest of your body, telling it how to respond to stress.
The signals it sends out tells your body that it needs to be ready to respond, triggering such responses as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, restricted blood flow to certain parts of the body, and increased respiration. While these are necessary responses if you need to prepare to run away or act quickly, they are not necessarily helpful if the stress you are feeling is because of a missed car payment or an argument with a loved one.
That distress call from your hypothalamus activates your adrenal glands, which produces stress hormones. These hormones tell your body to release glucose into your bloodstream and fats from various temporary storage sites around your body, giving you a burst of energy. This response starts so quickly that your brain has not even fully processed the threat or stressor before these appear in your bloodstream.
As the effects of the adrenaline subside after the alarm phase, your body triggers a secondary response to the stress, called the resistance phase. In this phase, your hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, known as the HPA axis, start working together to tell your body to keep going in response to the stressor.
They press down on your stress “gas pedal” and start releasing even more hormones, including cortisol, to keep your systems revved up and highly alert. Your system tries to stay in this state until the threat has passed.
In the final phase, known as exhaustion, your body no longer perceives the threat and stops the release of hormones, ending your stress response. This phase allows your body to return to normal operations and return the physiological reactions to their resting rates.
Living with chronic, low-level stress, though, can keep your HPA axis activated for lengthy periods, essentially idling your hormone “motor” for far too long. This can have extremely negative effects on your body and affect your long-term health. This is where adaptogens can help.
Adaptogens work by restoring communication between all parts of your HPA axis to regulate your stress response. They work by stimulating the central nervous system to restore the connection with your adrenals and other endocrine glands and reduce or stop your hormonal release. These plants can, therefore, protect your brain, help end fatigue, resolve depression issues, and help restore the balance of hormones in your body.
The Most Commonly Used Adaptogens
Now that you know what adaptogens are and how they work, you may be interested in adding some to your health and wellness routine. Below, we name some of the most common and popular adaptogenic herbs available today.
For each herb we discuss, we will discover its origins and primary uses, and then later in this report, we will share with you more specific benefits of the many adaptogens we explore.
1| Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha, is native to India, where it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia. Many when dealing with intense or chronic stress.
2| Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a plant native to Siberia that has been used by natives to Russia and Scandinavia for centuries to help them cope with living in harsh conditions. It is sometimes called artic root or rose root. Its primary benefits include enhancing energy and stamina, which makes it perfect for dealing with the stress of a harsh climate.
Rhodiola was then adopted for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as well as other forms of alternative medicine. Its applications today include to combat fatigue and increase attention and focus. While ashwagandha calms, Rhodiola energizes, so these two adaptogens are often used together to complement one another.
3| Maca
Maca root is another adaptogen that comes from harsh climates. Maca grows high in the Peruvian Andes in desolate conditions, and the natives of this region have used it for centuries for its healing properties.
Maca root is highly nutritious, providing you with essential vitamins and minerals to support a healthy body, but it also helps restore depleted energy, balance hormonal responses to stress, and adapt to stressful conditions. Maca even helps with fertility, libido, and sexual dysfunction.
4| Schisandra
Schisandra is a berry used in TCM and sometimes called the Five Flavored Fruit. It is valued for its ability to stimulate liver function, which allows for the detoxification of the body. It also supplies a stable supply of sugar to the cells, decreases fatigue, and promotes overall endurance during times of stress.
5| Holy Basil
Holy basil, sometimes called Tulsi basil, was originally grown for medicinal and religious purposes in Ayurvedic medicine. It plays a vital role in the practices of Hinduism. Holy basil’s adaptogenic properties include its ability to boost the body’s natural responses to stress, allowing you to function more optimally during these times.
6| Ginseng
Traditional ginseng, which is also called Panax ginseng, rejuvenates and invigorates the body. It has been used in TCM and other traditional medical traditions for thousands of years to replenish energy and provide protection against physical, environmental, and mental stress. Ginseng boosts concentration and supplies overall well-being and health.
Many herbs are often compared to ginseng, but only Panax ginseng is the true adaptogen among those that share its name.
7| Eleuthero
Used in TCM to support vitality and immunity, eleuthero is also known as Siberian ginseng, despite not being part of the ginseng family of plants. It is native to East Asia, China, Japan, and Russia. It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to boost energy, improve sexual function, and fight fatigue and depression.
8| Bacopa
Bacopa is an aquatic plant that can be found in tropical and subtropical climates around the world. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine traditionally to calm the nervous system. It also supports brain function, including comprehension, memory, and recall.
9| Cordyceps
A type of fungus found on caterpillars, cordyceps has been used by practitioners of TCM to combat fatigue and other maladies. Cordyceps helps to boost immunity, flush kidneys, and support renal health as well as enhance sexual function and fertility.
10| Amla
Amla is also known as Indian gooseberry and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to prolong life and boost the memory. Alma is also an excellent immunity enhancer because it is rich in Vitamin C and other antioxidants.
11| Jiaogulan
A member of the cucmber family, jiaogulan is sometime referred to as the “immortality herb” in TCM. It has similar benefits to Panax ginseng, including stabilizing blood sugar and improving immunity.
12| Licore Root
Many rely on licorice root, which is native to parts of Asia and southern Europe, for its medicinal properties. Licorice root is known to reduce blood pressure and increase energy and endurance. It protects the thymus gland from cortisol damage, as well.
13| Aloe Vera
A more common and familiar adaptogenic, aloe vera is used not only to treat skin disorders but also to help the heart and nervous system adapt to stress and change.
14| Kava Kava
Kava kava, which is often just referred to as kava, has been used by indigenous peoples of the Pacific islands for generations. It is known for its calming, even sedating effects, and it can help to ease symptoms associated with anxiety as well as to provide comfort during times of stress.
15| Astragalus
Astragalus, a plant common to temperate areas in the Northern hemisphere, is useful for reducing the effects of stress on the digestive system. Astragalus promotes the immune and respiratory systems’ health, as well.
16| Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola grows in wetland areas of subtropical and tropical Asia. It is commonly used as food as well as medicine in many cultures. It is known to help promote relaxation as well as support mental clarity.
The Health Benefits of Adaptogens
Adaptogens have many specific benefits, but their greatest gift to you will be their ability to promote your general health and well-being by reducing the impact that stress is having on your body. Those who can control stress and mitigate the effects of it on their bodies enjoy better cardiovascular health, enhanced emotional well-being, and fewer neurological disorders.
We cannot emphasize enough the negative impact of stress on your body and learning to use adaptogens to reduce that impact will help you remain healthier and happier overall. Let’s look at some of the more specific health benefits of using adaptogens as a part of your wellness routine.
Improve Overall Stress Response
In many ways, your body is not particularly good at differentiating important stress from unimportant stress. Your brain triggers nearly identical responses for excessive heat, a busy schedule, and narrowly missing a car accident. While only one of these poses an immediate threat to your life, your body reacts in similar ways to all three. So, when you live with persistent, low-grade stress, it is still having an impact on your body.
Adaptogens help to control the release of hormones that regulate these reactions. That means, when your body is not responding so intensely to the everyday stress of life, you will feel more energetic, have better stamina and endurance to get through your day, and your brain will be able to think more clearly. In some high-stress jobs, workers are even starting to take adaptogens as a part of their daily routine to help them handle the tension associated with their profession.
Stress can be caused from several types of forces, including having surgery, caring for a sick or aging relative, sleep deprivation, environmental causes, malnutrition, excessive exercise, illness, or trauma, just to name a few. Who among us does not encounter stress on a regular basis? Learning to deal with stress as well as lessening its impact on your body can help preserve your health and sense of well-being.
Boost Your Immunity
Several types of adaptogens are excellent for improving the function of your immune system while under stress. There are many adaptogenic mushrooms and herbs prized for their high concentrations of compounds that boost the immune system.
Some, such as reishi mushrooms, even have antimicrobial properties that make them effective at fighting infection and disease. Many adaptogens help keep your gut microflora healthy and strong, which also directly influences the health of your immune system.
Balanced Hormones
Your stress response mechanism is driven by hormonal responses to pressures in your life. The HPA axis releases various hormones, which can then trigger the release of other hormones in your body. Under stress, your body can quickly become imbalanced in the concentration of various hormones in your system, some of which control very vital functions.
Adaptogens can help even out this hormonal response, which can help in many ways. The first is to help control your blood glucose levels. When stressed, you release glucose to give you energy, but most low-level stress situations do not need significant use of energy, so you are left with extra glucose in your body. Adaptogens can reduce this glucose level.
Some adaptogens help fight the fatigue you experience after the stress response ends. Maca, for example, is a safe and effective energy booster that can help you feel more energized after a stressful situation or day.
Adaptogens help you relax and repair from the emotional exhaustion of chronic stress, as well. Many adaptogens help your adrenals return to normal function and replenish their stores of needed hormones.
For women, stress also influences estrogen levels, which can cause many side effects. Adaptogens help to regulate these hormones, resulting in better fertility, less hormone-related changes in mood, and fewer menstrual symptoms.
Improve Cognitive Function
When your hormones are imbalanced or blood sugar is too high, your brain has difficulty focusing or concentrating for extended periods. This often results in a mental “fog” during times of chronic stress.
Adaptogens can help increase your mental clarity, memory, and overall cognitive function when these hormone shifts are reduced. Rhodiola, for example, is known to enhance focus while also promoting the release of “feel-good” hormones like dopamine and serotonin. Adaptogens can even help boost mood and rid the mind of symptoms of depression and anxiety which can impair cognitive function.
Benefit from More Antioxidants
Most adaptogens are excellent health boosters because they are high in antioxidants and other phytonutrients that can help your body repair itself. Antioxidants help fight disease and the effects of aging as well as providing heart- and neuroprotective qualities.
Athletes especially like adaptogens because they encourage the body to repair cells more quickly, allowing for faster recovering from strenuous exercise. Ashwagandha and ginseng are extremely popular adaptogens for these purposes, as they help restore tissue and rejuvenate cells.
Improve Fatigue and Exhaustion
Adaptogens help reduce the fatigue and exhaustion common with high-stress situations or lifestyles, even those associated with certain acute and chronic medical conditions. If you have a disease that results in a constant lack of energy, adaptogens may be able to help you function more fully.
Schisandra is one adaptogen recommended for this purpose, as it combats exhaustion as well as fatigued mental performance. As a natural stimulant that does not result in dependency or tolerance, you can take it safely for prolonged periods, as well.
Reduce Risk of Infection
Adaptogens like Holy Basil and aloe vera have important antimicrobial properties that make them effective for helping to fight off germs. Others help to boost your immune system, allowing you to fight off internal infections and diseases more easily.
Help Manage Weight
When you are better able to manage your stress, you are much less likely to overeat or eat mindlessly. These behaviors can quickly lead to weight gain, so using adaptogens, like ashwagandha, to minimize the effects of stress on your body can help you control your eating behaviors.
Improve your Fitness Routine
One of the earliest uses of adaptogens was by warriors and others looking to boost their physical performance in some way. So, should adaptogens be used today to enhance your physical fitness performance?
Well, exercise is technically a type of stressful situation for your body. You are requiring a lot of work from muscles to respond in physical ways to a specific call to action. The hormones that are released during exercise are the same as those released during the “fight or flight” stress response, and the exercise cycle mimics the stress-response cycle.
Adaptogens, therefore, can be used as part of both shorter and longer exercise sessions to improve your endurance and stamina, which may help you build more strength over time. Adaptogens can also help your body recover more quickly from a workout, which is good for endurance athletes and those who place a great deal of stress on their bodies during a workout.
Adaptogens work slowly and affect the body differently than other sports-enhancing herbs and supplements, so do not expect instant results like from some other compounds. Adaptogens also affect different people in diverse ways, so what works for your training partner may not work for you.
How To Get More Adaptogens In Your Diet
There are many forms of the various adaptogens and equally as many ways to incorporate these into your diet and health routines. Some of these herbs are only available as nutritional supplements in pill, capsule, powder, or liquid form. Others are available as fresh or dried herbs, teas, or extracts.
Not all adaptogens are meant to be used in all of these ways, so the way you consume each will vary by its purpose and other factors. Some herbs and plants are best consumed raw or dried while others supply the most benefits taken as a pill. You will need to research each adaptogen individually to learn more about the best way to consume it.
If you take supplements, be aware that the FDA does not regulate these substances, so you may not know exactly what you are getting. Relying on reviews and recommendations from holistic practitioners and users can help you find suppliers that use exacting standards for purity.
There are many health-food products available today that include adaptogens like ashwagandha and various types of mushrooms. To reap the benefits of adaptogens, they should be taken every day, and you likely will not start to feel the impact of these compounds for several weeks.
You will only get the benefits as long as you continue to take the herbs, so find ways to includes these into your daily routine for best results.
Final Thoughts
Science has been aware of the impact of adaptogens on the human body for decades. But, as we as a society are seeking health solutions that complement or are alternative to more conventional treatments and therapies, these plant products are become more readily available and understood.
Adaptogens are a wonderful answer to living in today’s stress-filled, hectic world. The constant bombardment on the endocrine system due to stress is creating more health issues than ever before, and besides reducing the presence of stress in your life, you can help your body better deal with the effects of stress by using adaptogenic herbs.
Adaptogens help your body adapt and respond to stress, reducing how much stress influences your overall health and wellness. Taking adaptogens regularly can mitigate the effects of the hormones produced in response to stress and help you be strong, more alert, and healthier.
