What are Adaptogens?
What are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are herbs, mushrooms and other natural substances which can help your body adapt to stress, restore balance, and support overall resilience.
Stress can come from different places: too much exercise will stress your body, too much work will stress your brain; too much “peopling” can be a stressor, as can the effects of being lonely. Your adrenal system is regulated by hormones and is responsible for regulating your stress response. If you respond to stressors well, then you feel balanced and resilient. When stressors have a big impact on you, then your resilience might benefit from some support. Of course, there are simple things that we can do to help to support our adrenal resilience: such as eating well, sleeping well, regular moderate exercise, feeling connected to others and seeing the good in things. And when you need a little more help, adaptogens might be the ticket!
By supporting your adrenal system, adaptogens help regulate hormones and improve your response to stress. Where some herbs might push or pull the body in one direction, acting like a sedative or a stimulant, an adaptogen will act to restore balance. They work more like a thermostat - bringing you back into equilibrium. Adaptogens are generally gentle enough for daily use and can be taken long-term.
Common adaptogens:
Ashwagandha: Calming, reduces anxiety, supports sleep; Often used for adrenal fatigue
Cordyceps: Boosts energy and oxygen use; Popular for fatigue and increasing stamina
Maca: Boosts vitality and energy; can be used to increase libido
Reishi mushroom: Calming, immune-supportive, aids sleep; Good to take in the evening
Rhodiola: Boosts energy and focus, helps with burnout; Great for mental stamina
Schisandra: Liver tonic, antioxidant, boosts stamina; Lovely berries to add to tea
Siberian Ginseng: Physical endurance, resilience to stress; Commonly used by athletes
Tulsi (Holy Basil): Uplifting, anti-inflammatory, supports mood; Nice in tea
How to use adaptogens:
Tea or herbal infusion
Tincture
Capsules
Powdered (to add to smoothies or porridge)
Functional blends – they work great in conjunction with a synergistic blend
If you have come across an adaptogen and would like to know more about it or if you’d be interested in finding an adaptogen that would suit your needs, then best to check in with a Natural Health Practitioner.
