Adaptogens – Get Ready – Get Set – ADAPT   What are adaptogens? An adaptogen is an herb that helps the body to adapt to stress on a physical, mental, or emotional level and brings the body back to normal balance. In addition, adaptogens are also known as tonics. The herbs can be found in combination in pill or liquid form.

Adaptogens – Get Ready – Get Set – ADAPT

Adapt means to modify, alter, change, or adjust. The adaptation theory came from Charles Darwin’s observation of animals. The ones that could not or did not adapt to their environment died. This is pure survival and over generations through our genetics, humans have adapted. We are hard-wired through our nervous system to have a survival mode called “fight or flight”.

How important is taking adaptogens?

Ongoing stress acts differently in our bodies than just a flash to help us escape.  In fact, when we have daily stress, our response system does not settle back to normal balance. Stress is responsible for every disease known to man after you eliminate all the biological and environmental reasons. How we deal with stress and what are perceptions are about stress goes into our inner communication of neurotransmitters, hormones, and immune modulators in our mind and body. Stress has a lot to do with your body aging. In other words, stress modifies the telomeres at the end of your DNA that is responsible for your life span. You may want to read my stress blog.

Nature provides a way in plant form to help us cope. Nutritional wise for the nerves you would take B complex. Vitamin C and D for your lungs and so on. Adaptogens are also important for fighting oxidative stress on cells and longevity. I have enjoyed the effects of adaptogens over the years.  Single mother of 3 children and working 2 jobs most of the time. I needed to have all the support I could get. Today is no different.

Two Russian scientists are linked to the term adaptogens. One is Dr. Nikolai Lazarev. His research identified adaptogenic properties that we’re able to stabilize and return balance, mostly dealing with the stress response. The other scientist is Dr. Israel Brekhman who worked with Dr. Lazarey. Dr. Brekhman continued with more research on herbal properties. He stated that an herb should have these properties to be considered an adaptogen:

1. Non-toxic (safe, no side effects) to humans or animals
2. Non-specific activity to help the body to regulate physiological processes to stress
3. Bring back balance to the organism

The list of adaptogens:

• Ashwagandha/Indian Ginseng/Withania Somnifera
• Astragalus Root/Mongolian Milkvetch
• Bacopa Monnieri/Brahmi
• Eleutherococcus/Siberian Ginseng
• Glycyrrhiza Uralensis/Ural Licorice Root
• Gotu Kola/ Centella Asiatica
• Holy Basil/Tulsi
• Japanese Aralia/Manchurian Thorn tree
• Panax Ginseng/Asian Ginseng
• Raponticum Carthamoides/Maral Root
• Rhodiola Rosea/Golden Root
• Rosa Majalis/Rosa Cinnamonmea/Cinnamon Rose
• Rosemary/Rosmarinus officinalis
• Schizandra Chinensis/Chinese Magnolia Vine

Other herbals with adaptogenic properties:

• Aloe Vera
• Cordyceps Mushrooms/Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake
• Milk Thistle/Silybum Marianum
• Moringa Oleifera/ Drumstick Tree/Horseradish Tree

Adaptogens – Get Ready – Get Set – ADAPT

Are you ready to get adaptogens? I hope this information has been helpful and that you have found one more fantastic way to stay healthy naturally.

Use adaptogens to improve your health by letting these natural herbs help your body to adapt to stress.

To Your Health & Happiness!!
Margie