Did you know that more than one third of children eat fast food every single day according to a recent CDC report? Artificial flavorings and colors, hydrogenated oils, and genetically engineered ingredients are unfortunately the norm in many of our “foods” today. Processed foods, however, are not the only threat to our health. Indeed, one of the most damaging forces to our health is not what we eat, but what eats us; that’s right, stress! People in today’s world are more stressed out than ever. This can be extremely taxing on our adrenal glands. Luckily, however, there are herbs that are very effective in fighting stress. These amazing herbs are known as adaptogens. They are termed adaptogens because the help the body adapt to stress. Here are 7 of the most powerful and effective adaptogens that can help you in your daily dealings with stress:
1. Ashwagandha – Withania Somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, is a plant in the nightshade family. The name Ashwagandha is Sanskrit for “the smell of a horse”. It is used as an herb in Ayuverdic medicine. This ancient Indian herb is so potent, that it’s stress relieving properties are comparable to certain prescription anti-anxiety / anti-depressant medicines. Besides promoting relaxation and boosting the Thyroid and Adrenal glands, Ashwagandha increases stamina and endurance, improves brain health, boosts immunity, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and shows potential in treating many diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Arthritis, certain types of cancer, and more.
2. Rhodiola Rosea – Rhodiola Rosea is another adaptogenic herb that grows in cold climates. It has been used in Russia and Scandavian countries for centuries to deal with both stress and the extreme cold. This plant, which is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to restore “Chi” (Qi), is particularly well known for its ability to lower the secretion of cortisol, an adrenal hormone known as the “stress hormone”. In addition to being an adaptogen, Rhodiola Rosea helps to burn unwanted belly fat, improve physical endurance, and protect healthy heart and brain function.
3. Holy Basil – Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, is considered a holy plant in Hinduism, and known as “the elixir of life” in Ayuverda. It can be consumed as an herbal tea, a dried powder supplement, or eaten as is. Besides being used for religious rituals, preparations made from holy basil are widely used in India to treat stress-related health problems. In addition to providing stress relief and relaxation, Holy Basil is a powerful antioxidant that helps slow down the aging process. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
4. Licorice Root – While many are familiar with the popular children’s candy flavored with extracts from the roots of the licorice plant, only a minority have knowledge of Licorice Root’s extraordinary healing powers. In fact, Licorice Root is one of the most used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. It helps people with adrenal insufficiency and high stress levels by inhibiting cortisol’s conversion to cortisone. Licorice Root is best known, however, for its use in soothing gastrointestinal issues such as stomach or intestinal inflammation, ulcers, and more. It’s also very effective when drunk as tea for a sore throat and cough.
5. Ginseng – Ginseng is perhaps one of the most popular and well known herbs in the world, and for good reason. From boosting immunity and libido to enhancing memory, Ginseng has a wide range of benefits. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that Ginseng is also a powerful adaptogen. It’s also interesting to note that it’s used in Chinese Medicine as a muscle relaxant.
6. Eleuthero – Eleuthero is also known as Siberian Ginseng. But don’t let the name fool you. Eleuthero is not a true Ginseng, even though the two are often confused. What they do share in common, however, is that they’re both adaptogens that reduce the effects of stress. Eleuthero stands out among other adaptogens, however, in the fact that it holds the distinct honor of being termed by Chinese herbalists as “The King of the Adaptogens”. It’s been extensively studied by researchers all over the world and its benefits continue to fascinate all.
7. Schizandra Berries – Schizandra Chinensis is considered of the 50 fundamental herbs in Chinese Medicine. Like other herbs, Schizandra berries have multiple benefits, but for our purposes, we will discuss its amazing adaptogen qualities. These berries fight stress by lowering stress hormone levels in your blood. It’s said by the Chinese that they can “calm the heart and quiet the spirit”. Not only can the calm you down, but they can also add a pep to your step by battling fatigue and increasing physical and mental endurance. Therefore, whether you’re nervous and need to calm down, or you’re tired and need some energy, Schizandra Berries may be effective in bringing the necessary balance.
Before spending your hard earned money on any single herb, you should understand that the key to optimizing the benefits you receive from herbs is in the dosage of each herb and its synergistic combination with other herbs. Although each individual herb has its own benefits, their effectiveness will be multiplied exponentially if they are combined synergistically. This is the great secret of master herbalists. Therefore, it’s especially valuable to consult with an experienced nutritionist or herbalist before experimenting with any herbs.
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It’s important to note that although all the herbs we have discussed are considered to be generally regarded as safe, each individual person is unique and should discuss with their health care practitioner prior to beginning any new treatment.
