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Adaptogens, as the name suggests, have the neat ability to adapt their function according to the needs of your body. It’s balancing and stimulating, energising and calming. It’s multi-dimensional.
That sounds fancy, but what does it mean? The simplest explanation is that these intelligent plants are actually communicating with our bodies to find out what is needed where and then help it to come back into balance by modulating (slowing down, speeding up, increasing, decreasing – similar to the actions of a thermostat) the systems in our bodies to rejuvenate our vital life force.
So how do they help with stress (and sleep)?
These herbs help to turn off the body's stress response, allowing our brains to switch off the alarms (normalising the adrenal function) and turn cortisol production off. This returns our body to its normal state of balance called homeostasis. Which is how a natural and healthy stress response should conclude. Without these herbs, what often happens and continues to happen more frequently today, our bodies sometimes cannot return to their natural state of equilibrium because we are overstimulated and our nervous systems are constantly in overdrive. Meaning our bodies never switch off, resulting in poor sleep or insomnia. By intervening and correcting this response system our natural sleep pattern returns to normal.
The body's stress response and how adaptogens intervene to normalise the body and return it to homeostasis.
The scientific magic about adaptogens
When adaptogens are used consistently they act like a workout for your cells, helping to strengthen resistance towards oxidative stress, improve mitochondrial health, and repair damaged proteins that weaken cellular function. This cellular workout is called stress inoculation and it stimulates the production of a certain combat molecule that protects the body from the physical consequences of ongoing stress ( like inflammation, oxidation, DNA damage). This benefit comes from the hormetic effect of adaptogens which greatly improves the body's endurance and resilience under stress.
The best adaptogens for stress relief and improved sleep:
- American Ginseng
- Amla
- Ashwagandha
- Red Ginseng
- Astragalus
- Cordyceps
- Dang Shen
- Eleuthero
- Guduchi
- He Shou Wu (Foti)
- Holy Basil
- Gynostemma
- Licorice
- Goji Berries
- Maca
- Prince Seng
- Reishi
- Rhaponticum
- Rhodiola
- Schisandra
- Shatavari
- Shilajit
Learn how to use adaptogens effectively and wisely.
Read the full article on Adaptogens for beginners.