Adaptogens are a category of herbs that help the body adapt to stress, support normal metabolic processes, and to also restore balance. They increase the body’s resistance to stress.
These superior herbs have a long traditional history used for healing not just the body but the brain as well. Adaptogens are widely known to be used in Chinese medicine as well as Ayurveda. The history of adaptogens dates back thousands of years to ancient China and India, but more serious studies did not start to develop until the late 1940s.
These natural substances allow the body to maintain optimal homeostasis. These substances allow the body to adapt to stress. They are nontoxic and normalizing to the body and brain. They are also nonspecific in their defense response to stress, meaning they stimulate, activate or promote a response to stress in many different nonspecific ways. This includes building up a natural reserve of adaptive energy in the body.
They seem to have a bidirectional effect on physiological functioning. They can either decrease or increase activity depending on what the body needs to have a normalizing effect.
Adaptogens for
Anxiety & Depression
Adaptogens have an effect on the nervous system. They enhance one’s moods and relieve stress. They can be helpful for anxiety and depression.
Some adaptogens have antidepressant effects.
Here is a list of adaptogens for anxiety:
Ashwagandha
Jiaogulan
Reishi
Schisandra
List for depression:
Ashwagandha
Asian ginseng
Holy basil
Rhaponticum
Schisandra
Rhodiola
Improved Brain Functioning
Adaptogens normalize neurotransmitters in the brain. They can be used to prevent and treat neurological and mental health conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, migraines, impaired memory, cognition and impaired concentration.
Here is a list for brain functioning:
American ginseng
Ashwagandha
Asian ginseng
Rhaponticum
Eleuthero
Dang Shen
Guduchi
Rhodiola
Schisandra
These help prevent wasting of nerve cells in the brain (atrophy):
Ashwagandha
Asian Ginseng
Rhaptonticum
Many adaptogens are able to support the central nervous system. These include:
Stimulating:
Asian ginseng
Rhaponticum
Shilajit
Schisandra
Calming:
Ashwagandha
Cordyceps
Jiaogulan
Schisandra
Antioxidant Properties
There are adaptogens that have antioxidant activity. They can protect against oxidative damage.
Here is a list:
American ginseng
Amla
Ashwagandha
Asian ginseng
Holy basil
Jiaogulan
Astragalus
Reishi
Cordyceps
Dang Shen
Eleuthero
Guduchi
He shou wu
Licorice
Prince seng
Rhodiola
Schisandra
Shilajit
Shatavari
Many of these also have anti-inflammatory properties such as:
Amla
Ashwagandha
Cordyceps
Asian Ginseng
Holy Basil
Guduchi
Eleuthero
Jiaogulan
Licorice
Reishi
Rhodiola
Schisandra
Shilajit
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