What is an Adaptogen?
Adaptogens are natural substances that support the body’s ability to adapt and respond to stress. These stressors may be physical, mental, or emotional. In other words, adaptogens can help your body cope with stress from outside sources and internal sources such as anxiety and fear.
These herbs and plants can also assist your body in recovering from negative stressors more quickly. In this post, you will learn about the most helpful adaptogens, their benefits, and how you can use them to improve your life.
What is Stress?
Stress is a physiological and psychological response to a challenge. When you encounter a stressful situation, your body releases hormones called “cortisol” and “adrenaline” to help you cope better with the situation. These hormones are helpful when released in small amounts. However, when your body is constantly stressed, these hormones are overproduced and cause serious health issues.
Stress can be caused by many things including but not limited to: changes in routine, relationship conflict, financial difficulties, trauma, lifestyle, and even weather conditions. It’s important to remember that not all stress is bad. Stress helps us stay focused and engaged with our daily activities — it can be a good thing.
Why Adaptogens Are Important & How Do They Help?
Too much stress can be harmful — it can cause high blood pressure, insomnia, weight gain, and even depression. Things like your diet, exercise routine, how much you sleep, and how you deal with emotions can affect stress levels. That’s where adaptogens come in. They can help you manage stress better by supporting your body’s natural ability to cope.
They can also help with your metabolism, immune system, mood, energy level, and even your blood pressure. One of the best things about adaptogens is that they don’t just “cure” stress — they help our bodies better handle it.
A key advantage of adaptogens is that many come from not only a single species of plant, but also from a specific genus, family, and/or order. This means that all of the active compounds are found within the same plant and in a consistent ratio. Because of this, adaptogens can be a more concentrated source of a certain compound.
For example, many adaptogens are effective at elevating the body’s production of the hormone serotonin, which can help prevent feelings of depression. Many people with mental health conditions have been found to have low levels of serotonin in their bodies, which may be the cause of their symptoms.
How to use Adaptogens
Once you’ve identified which adaptogen supplements may benefit you, you’ll need to carefully incorporate them into your diet. While it may sound easy, many people don’t take the time to identify the best ways to use them. Here are a few tips to follow:
Make a conscious effort to avoid consuming too much caffeine with adaptogen-containing products. This includes herbal teas, coffee, and energy drinks. Instead, opt for decaf teas, herbal digestive powders, or soothing energy drops.
When taking adaptogen supplements, consume them on an empty stomach. It’s been shown that certain nutrients and drugs are better absorbed when taken on an empty stomach.
It may also help to take your adaptogen supplements at bedtime.
Benefits of using Adaptogens
The benefits of using adaptogens may be limitless, but one of the most significant is the boost they provide to immunity. Many people today suffer from low immunity due to a poor diet and lifestyle. With diets high in processed foods and low in whole foods, our bodies are not receiving the nutrients they need to fight infection and stay healthy.
Adaptogenic supplements can help combat this by improving your body’s defence mechanisms and providing heightened resistance to infection. Herbal adaptogens may be just what you need to rebuild your immune system and be more resilient to life’s everyday stressors.
Different types of Adaptogens
Many people are curious about which adaptogens work best for the body. Some people even ask whether all adaptogens are the same or if there is a difference between them. The short answer is: no. While there are many commonalities between adaptogens, there are also many differences.
The best answer to this question is: it depends on your specific needs and what you prefer. Below we will discuss some of the most common types of adaptogens and their similarities and differences.
Adaptogenic herbs: This is the most common type of adaptogen. The herb is dried and powdered, which makes it easy to ingest.
Herbal tinctures and liquid extracts: These are more potent than herbal extracts and are typically alcohol-based.
Herbal blends: Herbal blends are a mix of multiple herbs, with each ingredient lending its benefits.
Cordyceps: A Powerful Adaptogen From Nature’s Lab
Cordyceps are a unique type of mushroom that has been around for thousands of years. Primarily grown in China, Tibet, and Nepal — and even used in Chinese space programs! They are a type of parasitic fungus that, believe it or not – grow on caterpillars! Cordyceps are a great adaptogen because they can help you cope with just about any stressor.
They can also help improve your athletic performance, boost your immune system, and even enhance your fertility!
Reishi: The King of Adaptogens
If there is one adaptogen that is the king, it’s reishi. Reishi has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. It’s been used as a tonic to fight disease, boost the immune system, and help with insomnia. Reishi is one of the most researched adaptogens in the world and has a long history of use in Asia for cancer treatment and prevention.
It’s been shown to support your central nervous system, metabolism, and even your endocrine system. It can also help reduce inflammation, improve your mental clarity and focus, and help you sleep better. Reishi is also great for your liver. It’s considered a “liver tonic” that can help improve your liver function and even prevent liver damage, how cool is that?
Suma and Shanka: Two Types of Goodness from One Adept Root
Suma and shanka are two types of roots that come from one plant: an Indian root called “tribulus terrestris.” Suma is the root of the plant, and shanka is the fruit that grows from the roots. Both suma and shanka are powerful adaptogens that can help you reduce stress, increase your energy, and even improve your sexual health.
They’ve been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to help the body cope with stress. Suma and shanka are like two sides of the same coin — they work together to support your body and help you cope with stress. They’re great if you’re experiencing low energy and low mood due to stress.
Other Important Adaptogens You Should Know About
Which Adaptogens Are The Best?
While many people are excited about the benefits of adaptogens, not everyone knows where to begin or which supplements to choose. This can be especially challenging for those who don’t have a background in natural medicine. Fortunately, there is a simple solution! Take our quiz to find out which Shamanic Garden herbal supplements would be most beneficial for you and check out the video at the end of the article.
Summary
Adaptogens are a powerful natural supplement that can provide a variety of health benefits, including increased immunity and reduced stress. They have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years and are generally considered safe in recommended dosages which is why we have included them in our herbal products.
There are a variety of adaptogen supplements available, so it can be difficult to know which ones may be best for you. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily learn more about this fascinating supplement. Find what works best for you and your body by taking our quiz.