What the heck are adaptogens?
The word “adaptogens” gets thrown around by everyone, from the medically trained to the self-appointed “health gurus”. But what are they, and why do we need them? I’m going to take a big swing at explaining these in basic terms.
In Healing Adaptogens by Tero Isokauppila, founder of Four Sigmatic, and Danielle Ryan Broida, RH, adaptogens are defined by three criteria: they must be non-toxic (minimal to no side effects), nonspecific (they do not have a direct effect on any system, like aspirin or other medications), and normalizing. The concept of normalizing is tricky, but it basically means that one adaptogen can have two opposing effects in different people. The example used in the book is cacao, which can make some people more energized, but give others better sleep.
Adaptogens are usually in the form of natural herbs, spices, or other foods. They aren’t meant to target specific issues in your body, like some medications do. Instead, they attempt to optimize your body’s ability to manage any type of stressor you encounter - anxiety, illness, injury, etc. Different adaptogens shine in some areas better than others - mushrooms mostly affect your immunity, and ashwagandha mostly affects your stress response.
You can get adaptogens commonly through teas, supplements, or foods - just check the label for ingredients and their benefits in the list below.
Ashwagandha (plant) - endocrine and immune support
Holy Basil (plant) - inflammation, blood sugar management, and wound healing
Turmeric (root) - inflammation, digestion, and fights infection
Maca (root) - anxiety, depression, and fatigue
Cordyceps (mushroom) - fatigue, immune support, and sexual disfunction
Reishi (mushroom) - immune support, stress management, and sleep
Lion’s Mane (mushroom) - stress management, and brain function
American Ginseng (root) - immune system support and energy
Licorice (root) - respiratory support, skin health, and digestion
Rhodiola (plant) - depression, anxiety, and fatigue
There are other benefits to these, and there are loads more adaptogens. Unless you have a specific allergy to any of them, it’s difficult to go wrong with adaptogens. As mentioned before, they are non-toxic and can be used with no adverse side effects. You can get them easily in teas, drink powders, coffees, and foods. In general, health professionals agree that consuming adaptogens will be beneficial to your body in some way. Try making adaptogens a part of your daily intake, and see if you notice improvements!
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