ADAPTOGENIC HERBS: WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW THEY HELP

The concept of adaptogens was developed by Soviet scientists in the former USSR during the 1950s. They defined an adaptogenic herb as one that increases resistance to harmful physical, chemical, or biological stressors, both in sick and healthy individuals, without causing negative side effects. Most adaptogenic herbs have been used for thousands of years in traditional herbal medicine.

What Are Adaptogenic Herbs?

An adaptogen is a nourishing or tonic herb that helps the body adapt to the effects of physical or emotional stress. Soviet researchers found that adaptogens could protect cells from exposure to ultraviolet radiation and low oxygen levels, among other stressors. However, much of this early research was not published in English journals.

In the past decade, adaptogens have gained increasing interest in Western scientific communities. Researchers are now reaffirming the benefits of these traditional herbs in managing chronic illnesses.

What Do Adaptogenic Herbs Do?

Adaptogens offer a wide range of benefits by enhancing cellular resilience and immune response through multiple mechanisms, not just a single effect. A common underlying action is their ability to improve the uptake and use of oxygen and boost energy production in mitochondria, improving overall cell function and survival. Adaptogens also enhance the body’s efficiency in clearing cellular waste like lactic acid.

A single dose of an adaptogen generally acts on the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal glands, offering a rapid response to acute stress and improving mental and physical performance.

Repeated use can influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, helping the body adapt better to chronic stress over time.

Benefits of Adaptogenic Herbs

Adaptogens have a long history of traditional use as herbal tonics to help overcome fatigue, burnout, and exhaustion,especially during prolonged periods of stress, illness, or recovery. This is often associated with what's commonly referred to as “adrenal fatigue,” although the medical community continues to debate the validity of this condition (where adrenal glands underperform relative to demand).

Adaptogens are often combined with vitamin C and B-complex vitamins for enhanced effect.

? Top Adaptogenic Herbs

Based on traditional use and emerging scientific evidence, some of the most effective adaptogens include:

Ashwagandha

Astragalus

Black Cohosh

Brazilian Ginseng (Pfaffia or Suma)

Dong Quai (Chinese Angelica)

Gynostemma

Maca Root

Maitake Mushroom

Panax Ginseng (Korean and American varieties)

Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma)

Rhodiola Rosea

Schisandra

Shatavari

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Yerba Mate

Adaptogens are especially helpful for restoring balance in metabolic changes caused by consistently elevated adrenal hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, and noradrenaline. They help shift the body from a “fight or flight” response to a more relaxed “rest and digest” state.

Some adaptogens can lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, while others help restore low hormone levels to their normal range.

Adaptogenic herbs are widely used to combat fatigue and energy loss associated with stress and disrupted biorhythms.

They are particularly valuable when low energy levels are not directly due to physical overexertion but to underlying issues like poor or inconsistent diet, hormonal imbalances, stress, or excessive use of stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol.