How can you increase your energy and become more adaptable to everyday challenges?
Part of the answer might 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, psychological, chemical, or biological stress.
They are often highly valued herbs within traditional herbal medicine systems around the world.
According to many herbalists and nutrition experts, adaptogens are one of the most important supplements we can provide to the body.
How do adaptogens work?
Just as the name suggests, adaptogens help you adapt to different 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 the body in homeostasis.
They thus contribute to creating 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 (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), which controls the release of many hormones.One such hormone is, for example, 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's 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 can then experience a state of constant stress, which puts pressure on the adrenal glands, makes our energy lower, and strains the digestive tract and causes a number of problems.
Then adaptogens can provide support. They keep the body's stress response at a desired level.
12 well-known adaptogens that help the body
Ashwagandha – Studies have shown that the herb has effects on mental balance, increased stress tolerance, and vitality.
Astragalus is a popular energy booster, particularly 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 spanning over 4000 years. For the immune system.
Cordyceps – Has positive properties regarding energy production and endurance.
Rhodiola – A well-known herb that helps support the stress response.
Eleuthero / Siberian Ginseng – Its active compounds have been shown to contribute to increased blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain.
Schisandra – Is an elite 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 can be helpful for sleep quality.
Panax Ginseng / Korean Ginseng – Can contribute to increasing ATP production and improving blood circulation.
Gynostemma leaf is known in Asia as "Miracle Leaf" and shares a remarkably similar chemical profile with Ginseng.
Maca – Has been shown to combat fatigue and increase endurance.
It's good to adapt which herbs you take according to your life situation, time of year, and your constitution.
Try different options and see what feels good for you; or consult an herb expert to get a personalized program.
How do I take an adaptogen?
Generally, adaptogens are intended to be taken for shorter periods, approximately 6 to 12 weeks depending on which herb it is.
Then you may need a break from that particular adaptogen for about 4 weeks.
It's also recommended that you rotate adaptogens every other month so that your body benefits from exposure to several different types of chemical compounds.
Important things to consider when taking adaptogens:
It's good to take stimulating adaptogens early in the day, for example with breakfast or before a workout session. For instance, 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 to never take medications and herbs at the same time; they need to be taken with at least 4 hours between them.
6 ways to activate the body's own adaptogenic response
It's also very helpful to increase the body's own adaptogenic capacity through, for example:
meditate.
practice yoga, qi-gong, or tai chi.
sing and hum.
sauna bathing.
cold bathing/showering.
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 secure; having a place inside that is "home" regardless of life's changes.
For one thing is certain; everything is changeable, nothing lasts forever, so the greatest gift you can give yourself is to be at home within yourself. To know that you are your own lighthouse that shows the way.
Do you have questions? Contact us.
