Most Powerful Adaptogenic Herbs

Stress can be lethal to your happiness, health, and productivity. After all, it disturbs the balance you need to juggle work, relaxation, and relationships. However, there€™s something you can do before it ultimately affects your physical and mental health - add adaptogens to your diet.

Key Takeaways

• Adaptogens are herbs or mushrooms that help the body cope with stress and restore balance. They promote vitality, stabilize mood, and boost focus while building resilience to stress.
• The top powerful adaptogens include American Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Cordyceps, Goji Berry, Eleuthero Root, Jiaogulan, Licorice Root, Rhodiola Rosea, Schisandra Berry/Magnolia Berry, Tulsi/Holy Basil, and Turmeric.
• Adaptogen supplements can be easily purchased from local pharmacies or online. Look for brands that combine multiple adaptogens in a single supplement for maximum benefits. Adding adaptogens to your daily routine can help strengthen your mind and body to better cope with stress.
  
  

What are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are over 70 herbs or mushrooms that can help your body against the effects of stress. They stimulate the body€™s stress-protecting response to help you return to a balanced state known as homeostatis.

Adaptogens enable individuals to adapt to external stressors while strengthening internal systems. As a result, they effectively promote vitality, stabilize mood, and boost focus. Moreover, they help the body build resilience to stress, limiting its effects.

The Most Powerful Adaptogens

If you€™re reading this line, kudos on considering adding adaptogens to your diet. To help you make the right choice, here€™s a quick look at the top 12 adaptogens.

American Ginseng

American ginseng (panax quinquefolius) is an herb native to North America. Not to be confused with Asian ginseng (panax ginseng), it stimulates the body€™s resistance to stressors.

American ginseng contains chemicals thatmay lower blood sugar. This is important considering stress releases hormones that increase blood sugar. Therefore, the herbmay help you avoid the complications of long-term high blood sugar like heart disease.

American ginseng may also improve mental function by boosting short-term memory and enhancing cognitive function and alertness. The herb is further known for increasing working memory, especially in middle-aged individuals.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (withania somnifera) is an important Ayurvedic herb that Indian healers have used for centuries.

As an adaptogen, itmay control mediators of stress. It€™s also known to reduce the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. This is the system responsible for regulating the stress response.

Numerous studies indicate ashwagandha€™s ability to relieve anxiety. This is possible because the herb reduces the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This, in turn,may also improve sleep quality.

Astragalus

Another renowned Asian herb, astragalus (astragalus membranaceus) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for years.

As an adaptogen, it curbs stress levels while helping calm the mind and body. It may also help individuals suffering from mood swings and nervous tension.

Consuming astragalusmay further help with sleep issues. Therefore, itmay improve overall health and balance hormones for a healthier body.

Moreover, astragalus boosts the immune system. In fact, this is the main benefit that healers and researchers agree on. The herb has natural antibiotic properties, is rich in antioxidants, and provides compounds that strengthen the body.

Cordyceps

Another popular ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, cordyceps (cordyceps militaris) is an adaptogenic mushroom harvested from caterpillar larvae.

It may help the body create and maintain balance during times of stress. It also acts as a stimulant to reinvigorate the neuroendocrine system and counter physical exertion.

Cordyceps may further boost the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is what the body uses for energy. That€™s why consuming this mushroom may ensure higher athletic endurance and enables you to perform better during high-intensity exercise.

Finally, the mushroommay help reduce inflammation, positively impacting the immune system. Especially since it helps reduce the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Goji Berry

Native to Tibet, Nepal, and China, goji berry (lycium barbarum) is one of the strong adaptogenic herbs for several reasons.

It€™s rich in antioxidants, fiber, iron, and vitamins A and C. It can support immune function and promote longevity and overall wellbeing.

Consuming goji berriesmay also promote a better mood. Several studies prove this berrymay enhance mood and feelings of calmness and contentment. It may even improve the quality of sleep without negative effects.

Moreover, you can expect to enhance your athletic performance and energy levels. To complement your improved physical health, the berry will enhance your ability to focus and mental acuity.

Eleuthero Root

A woody shrub, eleuthero root (eleutherococcus senticosus), or Siberian ginseng may not be a true ginseng. However, it€™s a very effective adaptogenic herb that you should include in your diet.

Eleuthero acts as a stimulant, boosting energy levels and helping you overcome exhaustion. It€™s also known to increase muscles€™ ability to do work, especially during long periods of intense physical activity.

It further improves cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain. So, you won€™t have to worry about mental fog, and other effects stress has on your memory and concentration.

Jiaogulan

Growing wild in parts of Asia, Jiaogulan (gynostemma pentaphyllum) is commonly used for high cholesterol, obesity, and liver disease. Also known as Southern Ginseng, this climbing vine is a great adaptogenic herb as well.

Jiaogulan may help boost endurance and stamina by increasing crude polysaccharides in the body. It may also increase physical strength and muscle tone. Therefore, itmay help improve athletic performance.

As an adaptogen, jiaogulanmay effectively reduce mental and physical stress. Itmay also significantly recover depleting dopamine and serotonin levels to reduce anxiety and stress.

The herb further supports the immune system by protecting and cleansing the body from toxins. It also protects and strengthens your immunity through its antioxidant properties.

Licorice Root

Licorice root (glycyrrhiza glabra) is probably one of the oldest remedies, with its first use dating back to Ancient Egypt. Used heavily in Western Asia and Southern Europe, healers prescribed it for digestive issues and respiratory problems.

As an adaptogenic herb, licorice rootmay help individuals with low cortisol levels and adrenal insufficiency. It helps them experience less fatigue, especially when waking up in the morning.

Other reported health benefits include treating mood swings and alleviating depression symptoms.

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea) is a traditional Eurasian medicine. Known as arctic root or golden root, this adaptogen can effectively improve both your physical and mental wellbeing.

Rhodiola is quickly becoming a promisingherb for stress, cognitive deficiencies, and memory. When used with antidepressants, itmay lessen the impact of their side effects, especially sedation, fatigue and sexual dysfunction.

Clinical studies indicate that the herbcould be helpful in managingchronic fatigue syndrome. Itmay furthermanage physical deficiencies such as exhaustion, daytime sleepiness, sleep disturbance, and cognitive complaints like stress and irritability.

Mental stress aside, rhodiola can improve your sports performance by reducing physical fatigue. It further enhances muscle power and strength performance.

Schisandra Berry/Magnolia Berry

Schisandra or Magnolia berry (schisandra chinensis) is a vine bearing purple-red berries that taste sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and pungent. In traditional Chinese medicine, it€™s known for benefiting the qi, or the life force of energy. This makes sense considering its current status as an adaptogen.

Magnolia berrymaylower the stress hormone to restore the balance of energy in the body. This, in turn, prevents symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

The berrymay also improve the body€™s resistance and adaptation to stressful influences while supporting mental endurance.

Consuming the berriesmay further support your immune system. They€™re rich in natural antioxidants that prevent cells from deteriorating rapidly.

Tulsi/Holy Basil

A popular ingredient in Indian medicine, holy basil (ocimum tenuiflorum) isn€™t the same as the basil used in marinara sauce or pho.

As an adaptogen, holy basilmayincrease your endurance to physical stress. Itmay also help against sleep problems, forgetfulness, and exhaustion.

Moreover, tulsi has antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties. Thesemay help you feel less anxious and stressed. Some people even report feeling more open to socializing.

Finally, holy basil is high in antioxidants andmay help your body detox. Itmay further protect it against toxic chemicals. With the ability to boost wound healing speed and strength to add, your immune system will improve.

Turmeric

Turmeric (curcuma longa) is a commonly used spice for flavoring or coloring different dishes.

Turmericmay increase the body€™s antioxidant capacity, protecting it from free radicals and their consequences. Itmay also increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. This hormone delays brain diseases and may improve memory and attention.

Turmeric€™s active component, curcumin, is also an effective mood boster. Studies are researching its use for depressed individuals as it boosts serotonin and dopamine levels. Both of these hormones are responsible for feelings of happiness.

Where to Buy Adaptogen Supplements

You can easily purchase adaptogen supplements from your local pharmacy or online. The second option may be better since you can save more while accessing a larger variety of supplements.

Besides, you can find brands that combine several adaptogens into a single supplement. Therefore, you can maximize your chances of getting the benefits you learned about and more.

So, don€™t wait any longer and add adaptogens to your day. Your mind and body will thank you for the added strength they€™ll get to carry on despite stressful situations.

We hope you enjoyed this article. Feel free to check out our other adaptogen resources on reishi, and other mushrooms.