Adaptogenic Herbs improve your body’s ability to adapt to any stressful environment be it work-related pressure, high altitude, noise, etc.
A herb can only be classified as an adaptogenic when it is safe to use and specifically reduce stress, be it physical or psychological.
In this article discover 12 amazing adaptogenic herbs which helpful in combating stress, hormone imbalance, and adrenal fatigue.We humans have so much to do in our lives. From the tiniest choices to the most serious decisions, we go through a lot.
Amidst all this, what we forget is to take care of our well-being. We are so caught up in our daily lives that we end up giving no time to ourselves.
This leads to psychological and physiological fatigue. You may also call it stress. Tell me, have you ever experienced that by the end of the day you are so stressed out that it makes you fall sick both physically and mentally?
Quite possibly yes, right? Usually, then, people tend to spend money and time on medicines and doctors. And in most cases, they do not receive the desired results.
But will it not be amazing if you could obtain rather better results by something wholly natural? Something that will not only save your money but also prevent you from any adverse conditions!
Table of Contents
What Are Adaptogenic Herbs?
Adaptogenic herbs are grown and used for their medicinal benefits.Adaptogenic herbs are plants which are known for their medicinal goodness. These are also called adaptogens.
The basic function of these herbs is to help maintain the normal functioning of your body. In other words, I can tell that the adaptogenic herbs look after your physiology. They take care of the variables that are associated with the proper performance of your system.
In the medical world, adaptogens hold a well-established status. This is because; they are proven for their excellence in providing a healthy well being.
Thus, the adaptogenic herbs are defined as the substances which increase the effective resistance of your body against harmful factors.
This means that they help your body to get accustomed to the changing conditions around you and look after your health.Adaptogens help in cutting down the physiological and psychological stresses.
List Of Amazing Adaptogenic Herbs
Frankly, stress is not some sort of disease or illness. This is the way of life. Every human being, irrespective of his/her age is prone to various sorts of stresses. The only difference that lies is this that the subject may vary from person to person.
Every day number of people goes to the therapists and counselors to seek medical help or advice to get over with stress. They invest a handsome amount of capital to those therapists or counselors.
But, why cut down on your pocket when nature has the answer for everything? Given below is a list of the various type of adaptogens, which can help you beat and maintain your stress levels.
1.Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is also known as the Indian Ginseng. It is highly priced in India since ancient times and is well known for its medicinal wellness.
This has multiple usages. You may use it as an astringent, or a sedative, or a nervine or maybe a tonic.
It can also be a great help for any psychological complaints, such as anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, exhaustion, and hypertension. Thus, ashwagandha is one of those herbs which are referred to as adaptogens.
2.Eleuthero
Eleuthero is the traditional Chinese medicine that has been proven useful to fight muscle fatigue and joint pains. The sole job of the herb is to vitalize your body thus, energizing it for the completion of various tasks.
The psychological wellness like treating insomnia, depression, trauma, nervous fatigue and impaired concentration and memory are some of the few points of this beautiful natural drug.
3.Holy Basil
Holy basil is one of the most easily available herbs. The job of this specific adaptogen is this that it does not focus on bringing down the level of emotional or physical stress.
Rather, it works on the effects that are brought about to your body when you meet stress. This simply means that it may not alter your mood but, it helps your body to work efficiently during stress.
4.Maca
Maca is also referred to as Peruvian Ginseng. Although it has the term ginseng in it, however, it does not hold the exact traits as the ginseng. The only thing that coincides is this that, in this plant, the root is used for its medicinal benefits.
Maca is an exceptionally great aphrodisiac which makes it a key element to stand for psychological issues.
This also helps in various stress-busting therapies, especially for women. It helps them to fight the pre-menstrual stress or the stress after one meets her menopause.
On top of that, it can also boost your stamina and help your body stay up for new challenges. Maca is the best adaptogenic herb for hormone balance.
5.Panax Ginseng Or Asian Ginseng
This herb is also used in China for ages. It is capable of providing an ample amount of energy to your body by enhancing the effect of it. Ginseng is best adaptogenic herb for adrenal fatigue.
Thus, Panax Ginseng is productive in accentuating the performance of your mental and physical functioning.
This helps in rejuvenating your body against all kinds of emotional, physical or psychological trauma and stress. Also, you may use it as an antidepressant or antidiabetic or even against cancer.
6.Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a simple herb that can take care of the overall health of your body. It is anti-stress and it is also efficient to beat fatigue issues.
The core function of the herb is that it pertains to cortisol. This is one of the main stress hormones.
Usually, people who are suffering from stress issues have an abnormal cortisol level. Rhodiola Rosea helps your body to stabilize the cortisol level in your blood and thus, supports cellular energy metabolism. It facilitates the functions of your brain and prevents depression.
7.Suma
Suma is comparatively a later discovered herb. It holds vitamins, amino acids, minerals and many complementary extracts like arginine and glycine.
This herb has been effective in treating high cholesterol, fatigue, and stress. It is also beneficial in curing pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Also, it helps to keep a check on your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
8.Astragalus
Another famous herb from China, Astragalus helps to abate and cure illnesses due to prolonged stress. It helps to boost your vitality and strengthen your immune system.
Studies have proven that this priceless herb can rejuvenate distressed organs taking care of some things. Few like, the macrophage activity, the natural killer cell activity or the T cell activity.
Hence, these processes help your immune system to work better and relieve you from many ailments.
9.Licorice Root
Licorice is supplied with rich percentages of saponins and flavonoids. The saponin contributes to the anti-inflammatory properties of the herb.
This helps in strengthening your immune system and stimulates your adrenal cortex. Apart from these licorice roots are antihepatotoxic and antineoplastic.
It also holds antiallergenic properties and can cure peptic ulcers. Studies have proven that they can also help people with HIV.
10.Reishi, Shiitake, And Maitake
Ideally, these herbs may not be called adaptogens. However, they play individual roles in contributing towards the welfare of your immunity.
These are mushrooms and are used conventionally as tonics. Although, these herbs have a history that says how well do they contribute regarding medical wellness, yet, it is advised that you see a doctor before you use them.
11.Schisandra
Schisandra is generally used as a tonic that compliments the health of your liver. But, apart from this, it is also quite well known for its stress-busting properties.
This herb can fetch you effective results when used to fight insomnia, fatigue, stress, poor mental coordination. It also hikes your physical and emotional endurance.
These are achieved by the electric discharges in your brain. Schisandra takes care of those electric discharges and thus, eliminates the stress hormones from your blood.
12.Jiaogulan
Jiaogulan holds saponins similar to the Asian ginseng. Studies say that this herb has powerful regulatory effects towards all the functions of your body.
It possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help your body achieve a healthy blood pressure count. It is also efficient regarding enhancing your immunity, cholesterol levels and strength to endure any physical or psychological pressure.
Side Effects Of Adaptogenic Herbs
I always make it a point that I am well known on both the sides of every single thing that I add to my lifestyle.
Though I am talking about complete natural substances here in this article, what doesn’t change is this that, every coin has two sides. What may be easy for me need not have the same effect on you?
I want to say this that adaptogens can also have a downside. Let us see, what all can they fetch you if gone wrong.
These herbs may not be very helpful during pregnancy and lactating phases. Though, there are no specific studies made that can solidify this statement. However, it is wise to maintain a distance for the safety of the mother and the child.
Over-consumption of the adaptogenic herbs can lead you to an upset stomach. Thus, it can weaken your digestive system and cause acute digestive disorders like diarrhea, vomiting or even gastric ulcers.
It is not advised to apply the herbs directly on your skin as this can lead to skin irritations and rashes or inflammations.
These can also end you up having auto-immune diseases. Many adaptogens can turn out to be a matter of serious issue if you are a diabetic or high blood pressure individual. They can lower down your blood sugar levels and also raise the healthy blood pressure value.
One of the ironical side effects of the adaptogens can be this that it can make your conditions worse by causing insomnia or bipolar disorders.
Some of the herbs can also slow down your central nervous system. They can also elevate your thyroid hormone levels and lead to thyroid disorders.
How Do Adaptogens Work?
The sole task of the Adaptogens is to maintain the equilibrium of your body by controlling stress. Every individual function of your system is normalized by sustaining the balance of your body. I would like to explain my point with an example.
Have you ever heard of thermostats? In case, you are not aware of the term, let me define it for you. A thermostat is a device or instrument that takes care of the temperature around it to be maintained at a standard value.
The job of this device is to sense any drop or rise in the temperature around it and stabilize it back to normal. The same applies to the adaptogenic herbs. These herbs keep a check on the proper operation of the various elements of your body.
Also, they make sure that any change in these elements does not disturb the functioning of your body.
These herbs take care of elements like your adrenal functions. It can beat stress and help your nervous health. They can also help your cells to use extra energy and eliminate all the toxic substances from your blood.
This can develop your body’s capacitance to use more oxygen and thus, work more efficiently. They can contribute towards better strength, endurance, stamina and mental accuracy.
Stress can turn out to be fatal. You may not realize this, but, stress can give rise to some disorders that can harm your well-being in the long term. Namely,
- Auto-immune diseases.
- Low immunity disorders.
- Asthma.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Nervous disorders like – headaches or migraine, hypertension, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness.
- Cancer.
- Digestive disorders.
- Diabetes.
- Cancer.
- Arthritis.
- Menstrual irregularities.
- Skin and hair disorders.
Now, These Can Be Achieved By Controlling Numerous Factors. Few Like
- Stress hormone production.
- Antioxidant activity.
- Nervous health.
- Immune system.
- Blood sugar metabolism.
- Energy production.
- Inflammation response, etc.
To cut down a long story, these herbs are wonderful. Let us see what are the different types of adaptogens available out there? This will help you understand and connect more to these magical herbs.
Final Words
Stress can be one of the leading causes that can deteriorate your health. Usually, people seek medical help by investing a lot of money and time on them. But, there is always a scope when it comes to the merits of nature.
This article holds a detailed description of how you can meet those natural stress-busting agents. They are called the adaptogenic herbs.
There are multiple benefits of every specific herb. But, know this that every herb can also possess agents that can cause harmful ailments to your body.
What is wise is to keep a thorough check on every single drawback and take proper measures to avoid them.
The prerequisite for using these adaptogenic herbs is that you see a medical professional and go through proper tests.
This will assure that your body can support the actions of the herbs and will not create havoc. I hope this article was beneficial for you and may these magical herbs yield you the desired results.
