How can you increase your energy and become more adaptable to everyday challenges?
Part of the answer may be adaptogenic herbs. Read more in the article!
What is an adaptogen?
The word adaptogen means "to adapt."
Adaptogens are used as a collective term for herbs/plants that work to increase the body's ability to adapt to various forms of physical, mental, chemical, or biological stress.
They are often highly valued herbs within traditional herbal medicine systems worldwide.
According to many herbalists and nutrition experts, adaptogens are among the most important supplements we can give the body.
How do adaptogens work?
As the name suggests, adaptogens help you adapt to various forms of stress while promoting stability.
Another way to describe how they work is that they "normalize" many of the body's processes and help maintain homeostasis.
They thus help create a state of balance in the body and make the body more adaptable.
One way they do this is by interacting with the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis), which controls the release of many hormones.
One such hormone is cortisol, a primary "stress hormone" that also contributes to symptoms associated with aging.
When cortisol levels rise, we react with "fight or flight," which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal glands.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that stress is only meant to exist for short periods.
But many people experience the fight-or-flight response regularly, many times a day, and may then experience a state of constant stress, which puts pressure on the adrenal glands, lowers our energy, strains the digestive system, and causes a number of problems.
Adaptogens can support you by keeping the body's stress reaction at a desirable level.
12 well-known adaptogens that help the body
- Ashwagandha – Studies have shown that the herb supports mental balance, increased stress resilience, and stamina.
- Astragalus is a popular energy booster, especially strengthening for muscles, bones, and arms.
- A highly valued medicinal mushroom for antioxidants and the immune system.
- The queen of medicinal mushrooms with a history of over 4000 years. For the immune system.
- Cordyceps – Has positive effects on energy production and endurance.
- Rhodiola – A well-known herb that helps support the stress response.
- Russian root / Siberian Ginseng – Its active compounds have been shown to help increase blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain.
- Schisandra – Is a premium herb, a berry, with very high nutritional content for all organs as well as the skin.
- Tulsi – The queen of herbs. An herb that has been shown to have a calming effect and may help with sleep quality.
- Panax Ginseng / Korean Ginseng – May help increase ATP production and improve blood circulation.
- Gynostemma leaves are known in Asia as the "Miracle Leaf" and share a remarkably similar chemical profile with Ginseng.
- Maca – Has been shown to combat fatigue and increase endurance.
It is good to adjust which herbs you take according to your life situation, time of year, and constitution.
Experiment and see what feels good for you; or consult an herbal expert to get a personalized program.
How do I take an adaptogen?
Generally, adaptogens are intended to be taken for shorter periods, about 6 to 12 weeks depending on the herb.
Then you may need a break from that particular adaptogen for about 4 weeks.
It is also recommended to rotate adaptogens every other month so that your body benefits from exposure to several different types of chemical compounds.
Important to consider when taking adaptogens:
- Feel free to take stimulating adaptogens early in the day, such as at breakfast or before a workout. For example, ginseng, cordyceps, and rhodiola are ones that can give you energy.
- Ashwagandha and tulsi may be better suited for the evening, for example, to help with sleep.
- Remember never to take medications and herbs at the same time; they need to be taken at intervals of at least 4 hours.
6 ways to activate the body's own adaptogenic response
It is also very helpful to enhance the body's own adaptogenic ability through, for example:
- Meditate.
- Practice yoga, qi-gong, or tai chi.
- Sing and hum.
- Use a sauna.
- Take a cold bath/shower.
- Give yourself massage and touch.
Such activities promote the body's ability to adapt to everyday stresses.
It's about recovery and creating a state of calm within ourselves that we can always return to and feel safe; having a place inside that is "home" regardless of life's changes.
One thing is certain; everything changes, nothing lasts forever, so the greatest gift you can give yourself is to be at home within yourself. Knowing that you are your own lighthouse guiding the way.
Have questions? Get in touch with us.
