Adaptogens

Other Names:  rejuvenating herbs, qi tonics, restoratives, rasyanas.

Adaptogen is a term used by herbalists referencing herbal products that increase the resistance to various causes of stress on the body, including anxiety, trauma, and physical fatigue. 

All products under the heading “adaptogen” contain antioxidants, though not all antioxidants are considered to be adaptogens.

Forms of Adaptogens: Some herbal adaptogens identified as used traditionally in Chinese medicine that are backed with a great deal of scientific research include Maca (Lepidium meyenii), Dang Shen (Codonopsis pilosula), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus), and Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum).

Sources of Adaptogens: Adaptogen usage dates back to ancient China and India, though such substances were not considered by modern science as sound medical products until the late 1940’s. 

As defined by Dr. Nikolai Lazarev in 1947, scientists consider adaptogens to be agents that “allow the body to counter adverse physical, chemical, or biological stressors by raising nonspecific resistance toward such stress”.

Home Remedies using Adaptogens:

Benefits and Uses of Adaptogens:

Adaptogenic herbs are believed to be unique in the ability to assist in maintaining the balance of the endocrine and immune systems, as well as to maintain homeostasis within the body. 

These substances have a normalizing effect on the human body to help restore the typical functionality of human organs and systems. 

Panax ginseng is one adaptogen with an overall normalizing effect, with the active ingredient being ginsenosides. 

The herb can stimulate the nervous system or calm it.

Adaptogens are useful in slowing hyperactivity in the systems of the body, as well as strengthening the functions of hypoactive systems. 

Regulation of many bodily functions can be accomplished through the use of adaptogen products.

Side Effects of Adaptogens:

In normal dosages, adoptogens are nontoxic to the human body and can actually benefit patients physiologically. 

Because adaptogens have not been long identified by Western scientists, fewer studies have determined the overall safety of such substances.

However, preliminary results show no harmful side effects.