Adaptogens are all-natural compounds, or particular group of plants and herbs, that may assist your body to deal with a variety of stressors including physical, mental, emotional and environmental helping your body find and reside in its natural equilibrium so it can perform at its optimal level. These particular group of plants and herbs have compounds that give them the ability to resist stressful environments by adapting and when we make use of these plants and herbs, we have the unique ability to ‘adapt’ their function in accordance with the specific needs within our bodies.
According to adaptogen expert Dr. David Winston, for plants and herbs to be classified as adaptogens, there are 3 characteristics that set adaptogens from others:
The concept of adaptogens can be traced back to the early beginnings of Traditional Chinese Medicine as Qi tonics (natural energy tonic) and Ayurveda (India) medicine as Rasayana herbs to boost energy, longevity and vitality – the two oldest traditional medical practices known to use adaptogenic herbs.
The term “adaptogen” was adopted in the 1940s by Dr. Nicolai V. Lazarev, a Soviet scientist, pharmacologist and medical doctor; the term is derived from the Latin word adaptare, which means to fit or to adjust – applying to substances that enhances the body’s stress resistance.
Ancient and recent uses of adaptogens include:
Adaptogens function at a molecular level by targeting the adrenal system to maintain a steady balance, reduce levels of stress hormones and release adrenal fatigue. The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), a three-stage theory describing what occurs to the body when exposed to stress, is frequently used to describe the stress response of humans; there are three stages:
Adaptogens interrupts the body’s natural response to stress by prolonging the resistance phase increasing the body’s ability to withstand stress and lessens our sensitivity to external stimuli (stress) – adaptogens exert an anti-fatigue effect that increases our mental work capacity, improves attention and reduce stress enabling us to perform better and carry on with everyday activities even when faced with stress and fatigue. As a result, under prolonged or ongoing stress, adaptogens assist in achieving a higher degree of balance (homeostasis) to help the body adapt to the stress – they do not focus on a particular body area or organ; rather, they normalize physiological stress throughout the entire body.
Every adaptogen has its own unique characteristic and sets of benefits such as stimulating, smoothing and calming, strengthen, balance, etc… In addition to enhancing our ability to cope with stress, adaptogens also boost our moods, energy levels and immune functions. By assisting us in finding balance and managing stress naturally, they improve our overall health and wellbeing.
In the realm of complementary and integrative health, adaptogens have emerged as key players in supporting the body’s stress response and overall well-being. These all-natural compounds, sourced from specific plants and herbs, go beyond addressing physical stressors. They extend their benefits to mental, emotional, and environmental stress.
Emotional stress is a pervasive aspect of modern life, impacting overall well-being. Adaptogens, with their multifaceted effects on the body’s systems, play a role in emotional stress relief. Incorporating adaptogens into dietary supplements or herbal blends offers a holistic strategy for individuals seeking emotional balance and stress relief.
A perennial indigenous to China, Astragalus powder is sourced from the roots of the flowering plants. Organic astragalus is cultivated and harvested with adherence to carefully regulated environmental standards for water, soil, and other factors, helping the plants to maintain their natural adaptogenic properties.
Also known as huáng qí, the dried root and extract have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years as an ancient remedy. The nutritional compounds found in astragalus are believed to help stimulate the immune system and may help to enhance the body’s response to stress.
Found high in the remote Andes Mountains, Maca, also known as Peruvian Ginseng, is a small tuberous plant native to South America. Grown in extreme conditions, at altitudes of 3500 – 4000 meters above sea level, it is dried at low temperatures and converted into Maca Organic Root Powder. With its intense malty, caramel flavor, this nutty-tasting superfood’s active substances come from the root.
Maca root powder contains minerals, and may help to act as an energy enhancer. The ancient Incan warriors consumed Maca, believing it would provide them with enhanced endurance in battle. The indigenous Incan people revere Maca as their most sacred root plant and they call it the “food of the brain” – believing that it brings them happiness and balance, while alleviating stress. Over the years, its reputation grew and many Peruvians consider it a good source of energy that can help combat fatigue and help to balance the body.
Researchers, formulators, and manufacturers can use this information to determine how to best incorporate the astragalus or maca powders into their products or formulations. Keep in mind that these characteristics may impact how these powders are used in various applications.
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“What does being healthy mean to you?” – nowadays the chief factor mostly everyone considers when answering this question is mental wellbeing, therefore it makes sense that the demand has shifted away from specific immunity functionalities to mental wellness.
Dependant on the type, adaptogens can be found in different forms as powders, extracts and whole (dried or fresh):
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