List of 6 Adaptogens and Their Benefits
It’s normal to feel stressed from time to time. We’ve all felt the rush of adrenaline while navigating a crowded highway or the anxiety that comes with big presentations.
However, there are many small stressors that we encounter every day. Just think about it — tiny details like blue light exposure, running late to work, eating foods we don’t agree with, or waking up early might not seem like a big deal, but over time, these can really add up and leave us feeling burnt out.
Of course, many of these stressors can be easy to fix once we know what they are. Even so, it doesn’t hurt to add a little extra support from time to time in the form of adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms. Read on to discover some popular adaptogens and their benefits.
What Are Adaptogens?
First, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. Adaptogens are herbs that can help support your body’s ability to handle stressful situations. Many of them can also support homeostasis within the body, which can help manage those small internal stressors that tend to build up over time.
Adaptogens might sound like a mystical concept, but they’ve actually been around for centuries. Many of the herbs on our list are staples in Indian Ayurvedic medicine or Traditional Chinese Medicine.
How Do Adaptogens Work?
Every adaptogen works a little differently, but most of them get their powers by supporting your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This trio of hormone-producing glands work together to produce stress hormones in response to certain situations.
This isn’t inherently a bad thing — stress is good in certain situations, after all. If we were running from a bear in the woods, it’d be nice to have the razor-sharp awareness that comes with elevated cortisol. However, the effects of stress can add up over time, especially if they aren’t managed correctly.
Chronic stress can affect your health in many ways. For instance, it can cause indigestion, blood sugar imbalances, lack of energy, mental fogginess, and more serious health conditions. Adaptogens don’t necessarily fix these issues, but they can support a healthy stress response and help relax the nervous system.
6 Best Adaptogens
There are many adaptogens out there, but there are a few that are particularly notable for the positive effects they can bring. Here are six of our top adaptogenic picks and their health benefits.
1. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a popular herb that has been used in India and China for centuries. This herb works by lowering cortisol levels, opens in a new tab and supporting your adrenal glands, helping to reduce overall stress. Because of this, it can also support overall hormonal balance, healthy blood pressure levels, and healthy blood sugar levels.
2. Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Lion’s mane mushroom, opens in a new tab (Hericium erinaceus) contains many helpful compounds that can help support mental performance, encourage the immune system during stress, and support overall mental well-being, opens in a new tab. It can also help support a good night’s sleep, especially if you’re having stress-related sleep disturbances.
3. Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) grows throughout cold regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. This herb can support mental performance during stress and also has antidepressant and anxiolytic properties, opens in a new tab. It can also support physical performance by helping the body heal after the physical stress of a long workout and has long been used to encourage energy levels.
4. Holy Basil
Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is also known as Tulsi or Tulasi, and it’s been used for centuries to help increase relaxation and support overall wellness. This herb can also be used to protect against the effects of prolonged stress because of its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, opens in a new tab.
5. L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). This amino acid can encourage feelings of relaxation, opens in a new tab, support high-quality sleep, and even promote mental clarity and performance. Interestingly, taking L-theanine alongside caffeine can also minimize the unpleasant side effects that can come with caffeine consumption.
You can try both L-theanine and lion’s mane mushroom in our Mushroom Coffee+ blend. Our formula uses wood-grown, double-extracted mushroom fruiting bodies and the highest quality L-theanine to help encourage focus and feelings of calmness.
6. Ginseng
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) knows a thing or two about adapting to stress. This plant originated from Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), migrated over to the United States on its own, and adapted into an entirely new plant species.
This root can support cognitive health and focus, opens in a new tab, encourage immune function through stress, and even support a healthy metabolism. It’s important to note that the term “ginseng” could mean American ginseng, Asian ginseng, or Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), which are all entirely different and have different benefits.
Can You Take Too Many Adaptogens?
This is a sort of gray area when it comes to the effects of adaptogens. Many adaptogen supplements are easily tolerated and their side effects are generally very rare, if there are any at all.
However, it’s not impossible to have an interaction or side effect from any of these supplements, so it’s best to have a healthy level of caution. Talk to a healthcare provider before combining adaptogen capsules or tinctures, especially if you take any medications or have any preexisting health conditions. This also applies if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Bottom Line
Adaptogens are herbs that can help support a healthy stress response and encourage balance through stressful situations. Popular adaptogens include ashwagandha, lion’s mane mushroom, L-theanine, and holy basil.
At Everyday Dose, we know that supporting your stress response is one of the keys to overall health. That’s why our Mushroom Coffee+ is made with L-theanine, lion’s mane mushroom, and only 40 mg of caffeine. Try one of our mushroom blends, opens in a new tab today to feel the difference for yourself.
SHOULD WE INSERT A “BANNER” WITH A CTA AT THE BOTTOM? Hillary Corrigan
Sources:
Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons | PMC, opens in a new tab
American ginseng Information | Mount Sinai - New York, opens in a new tab
Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? | Health Professional Fact Sheet
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