Adaptogens & Their Role In Stress Reduction
Adaptogens are substances, such as herbs, roots and mushrooms, that have been used for centuries to help the body adapt to stress. In modern alternative medicine, adaptogens are prescribed to modulate the body’s response to stressors to reduce anxiety, alleviate fatigue and improve overall well-being.
How do they work?
Adaptogens work by interacting with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system to modulate the stress response. By doing so, they can help regulate cortisol levels and reduce the negative effects of physical, psychological and environmental stress on the body.
Some more ways adaptogens reduce stress include:
Reducing inflammation - Chronic stress can lead to inflammation in the body, which can contribute to a range of health problems. Adaptogens have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce inflammation and protect against its harmful effects.
Supporting the immune system - Adaptogens can help support the immune system, which can become weakened by chronic stress. They can help boost immune function, improving the body's ability to fight off infections and other illnesses.
Enhancing mood and energy - Chronic stress can lead to fatigue, irritability, and other mood disturbances. Adaptogens can help improve mood and energy levels, helping to combat the negative effects of stress on mental health.
Supporting overall wellness - Adaptogens have been used for centuries to promote overall wellness and vitality. They can help support physical and mental health, making the body more resilient to the effects of stress.
Popular adaptogens and their use
Some of the most commonly used adaptogens include:
Ashwagandha - also known as Withania somnifera. It is a well-researched herb and has been noted to have potent anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. It’s one of the most widely used adaptogens, which means it helps the body adapt to both external and internal stressors, seemingly by reducing levels of cortisol in the body.
Rhodiola - studies have found that Rhodiola significantly alleviates stress-induced fatigue, depression, headaches and insomnia. It contains an active compound, Salidroside, which possesses powerful neuroprotective activity, making it an amazing adaptogen for stress-induced mental fatigue.
Schisandra - this herb has similar effects as Rhodiola and contains schisandrin B, a compound shown to enhance mitochondrial antioxidant status, minimising premature ageing as a result of stress.
Eleutherococcus - this powerful adaptogen is great for athletes as it has a long history of treating exercise-induced exhaustion and fatigue and may increase endurance output, enhance cardiovascular function and have glycogen-sparing effects.
If you’re struggling with stress and would like some help, make an appointment. Together we can formulate an easy-to-follow and holistic treatment plan including case-specific adaptogens to increase your resilience to and help combat stress.
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