What Are Adaptogenic Herbs? Here’s What You Need to Know

What are adaptogenic herbs? They may help you adapt to stress, improve resilience, and optimize your health.

Your calendar is filled with deadlines, your car just broke down and needs to be serviced, your loved one is in the hospital, and you’re out of groceries. Meanwhile, you still must concentrate at work in order to keep your job. Sounds stressful, doesn’t it? Before you hit the bar and take that fifth tequila shot, there is a better way to cope with your stressful situation. I’m talking about adaptogenic herbs.

What Are Adaptogenic Herbs?

So, what are adaptogenic herbs? These are herbs that have been clinically proven to provide health benefits that may help with stress management. They help the body to adapt to the challenges life brings us and regulate stress hormones.

In brief, adaptogens help our bodies react and recover from acute or chronic mental stress. Some adaptogens have immune support properties. A 2009 research study by Alexander Panossian and Georg Wikman reveals that adaptogens exhibit anti-fatigue, nootropic, CNS stimulation, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and anti-depressive properties. 

Ayurvedic medicine defines adaptogens as substances that have the ability to increase ‘the state of non-specific resistance, in mental and physical stress. Whether you’re working out at the gym, jogging in the evening, stuck in a traffic jam, or stressed because you’re late for work, adaptogens may help you get through the day instead of simply muddling through.

How Do Adaptogenic Herbs Work

Whether you’re facing a mental or physical stressor, your body undergoes something called general adaptation syndrome. This is a body response to the stressor, which involves three main stages.

• Alarm Phase

These are early symptoms your body begins to experience when under environmental stress. For example, the fight or flight body physiological response is a natural body reaction that prepares you to flee from danger or protect yourself by fighting back.

During this phase, the adrenal gland produces cortisol (the stress hormone), which may increase the heart rate, increase adrenaline levels, and subsequently increase energy.

• Resistance Phase

The body begins the repair process during this stage after the shock. Lower cortisol amounts are produced, and the heart rate begins to normalize.

During this recovery phase, the body remains on high alert until you overcome the stress. If the stressful condition persists, your body will begin to adapt and learn to tolerate the high-stress levels.

In such a situation, the body undergoes physiological changes that you may not be aware of as it tries to cope with the persistent stress. Some of the signs of resistance include frustration, poor concentration, and irritability. Adaptogenic herbs could provide some support in this phase.

• Exhaustion Stage

This is the final stage of chronic stress. The body is now drained emotionally, physically, and mentally and can no longer fight the stress. You may experience depression, anxiety, fatigue, or burnout.

Through a stimulating effect, the role of adaptogens is to help the body resist stress longer and prevent the exhaustion stage. Therefore we continue to soldier on by attaining an equilibrium instead of crashing. Once the body adapts to the stressful environment, it may be able to perform better.

Adaptogenic Herbal Extracts

Phyllanthus niruri is one of the world’s best adaptogen teas. It has the largest variety of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and glycosides of any plant in the world. These chemical compounds give adaptogens their health benefits. Panax Ginseng, the most famous adaptogen, contains 28 types of saponins, while Phyllanthus niruri contains 168 different active compounds.

Phytochemically rich Phyllanthus niruri may help the immune system and lymphatic system combat viruses and bacteria and reduce stress on the pancreatic system. Phyllanthus niruri as an immunomodulator is able to bring balance to the immune system. It may help the body deal with oxidative stress, hypertension, and inflammation related to immune system imbalance.

Ocimum sanctum, also called Tulsi and Holy Basil, may help maintain the balance of the nerves and boost energy. It may act as a tonic for the nerves and help sharpen memory. It’s known as the Queen of the Herbs due to its broad range of adaptogenic properties.

A study published in The Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine says: “The predominant cause of global morbidity and mortality is lifestyle-related chronic diseases, many of which can be addressed through … regular consumption of adaptogenic herbs. Of all the herbs used within Ayurveda, [Ocimum sanctum] is preeminent, and scientific research is now confirming its beneficial effects. There is mounting evidence that [it] can address physical, chemical, metabolic, and psychological stress through a unique combination of pharmacological actions.”

Paeonia lactiflora (White Peony Root) is one of the best known adaptogenic herbs. It may help protect against oxidative stress and reduce stress-related tension. Paeonia is thought to help nerve pain and migraine headaches, and it’s believed to increase energy, intelligence, and awareness.

Paeonia is traditionally used to address issues with inflammation, along with digestive and intestinal issues. It is regarded in traditional systems as being useful for constipation and irritable bowel caused by inflammation.

Incorporate Adaptogenic Herbs into Your Diet

What are adaptogenic herbs? They’re all-natural support for overall health and wellness. In addition, the most powerful adaptogens may offer other health benefits, such as improving digestion, relieving arthritic pain, and providing sleep aid.

To learn more about Phyllanthus niruri, Ocimum sanctum, and Paeonia lactiflora, consider starting with the FAQs.

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