Nearly every season, a new wellness trend seems to be born. Everyone from juice fanatics to health gurus gets excited – but sometimes, these trends are based out of some mystical and social-media infiltrated ideas. The newest health buzzword has been adaptogens – so what is it, and do they work?
What it is: An adaptogen is a natural substance found in plants that are thought to help the body adapt to stress and balance the body.
Examples of Adaptogens:
- Ashwagandha – Lowers cortisol levels and balances thyroid hormones
- Ginseng – Boosts energy, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Tulsi Holy Basil – Contrary to what I initially thought, this is NOT the basil you put in your pesto. Rather, it’s used as a calming herbal tea in Ayurvedic medicine.
- Licorice – Helps to restore balance due to the anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties of the glycyrrhizic acid.
- Maca – Has Vitamin C, often recommended for people with adrenal fatigue.
⇒ Fun Fact: Adaptogens tend to be plants that have adapted to growing in very stressful conditions. For example, maca grows at high altitudes and in harsh climates in the Andes Mountains.
A Short History Lesson: Adaptogens have been used for hundreds of years in China, Russia, India and even Scandinavia. Some adaptogens are found in the Indian medical system of Ayurveda, founded over 3,000 years ago. The term, however, was coined by the Soviet Union’s Ministry of Health by toxicologist N. V. Lazarev way back in 1947 to describe a class of plants with “non-specific” resistance to influences such as stress.
Benefits of Adaptogens: Overall, adaptogens help the body cope with physical and mental stress. David Hoffman in the Herbal Handbook, says that “Adaptogens seem to increase the threshold of resistance to damage via the support of adrenal gland and possibly pituitary gland function.” In a study, adaptogens were found to “induce increased attention and endurance in situations of decreased performance caused by fatigue and/or sensation of weakness.” They added that adaptogens have potential use in age-related disorders (think cardiovascular diseases, etc).
How to take adaptogens: First of all, you’re not going to see benefits from a one time use. According to Dr. Amy Shah (interviewed by Bon Appetit), she recommends consuming adaptogens through powder or pills on a daily basis. However, you can also sneak them into drinks. For example, add a 1/4 tsp of ground ashwagandha to your turmeric latte.
Before buying: Talk to your doctor because adaptogens might change the effectiveness of other supplements or medications that you’re taking. Also, look for the USP seal which indicates that the supplement was backed up by the United States Pharmacopeia.
So the next time you see the word adaptogens, you’ll know what it means!