Everybody seems to be talking about adaptogens these days. But what are they? What do they do? We hope to highlight the mystery of adaptogens for you today. Dr. Nikolai Vasilyevich was a Russian toxicologist and pharmacologist and the first to use the term clinically in 1947. (1) Since then herbs called adaptogens have been more well researched and are becoming a commonly used term in the herbal and functional medicine fields.
Founder of the Yale Integrative Medicine program Dr. Aviva Romm states, “In those systems, these herbs are considered the “Kings” and “Queens” of herbal medicines for restoring health, vitality, immunity, stamina, and promoting longevity.” She says, “They do this by “normalizing” or “regulating” the adrenal stress response.” (2) The term adaptogen is a fancy way of saying it “helps you adapt”. Humans have been adapting for centuries to their environment. The ability to adapt is what has allowed our continued survival here on the planet. Adaptogens are handy in today’s world as they enhance our ability to adapt to stress.
Everyone is stressed it seems, and research is finally beginning to show stress's role in disease. Stress can now be linked to many diseases including, obesity, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, depression, headaches, gastrointestinal problems such as IBS and heartburn, accelerated aging, and premature death. Web MD lists these 10 though in fact the list is much higher. (3)
What causes stress? Most people know that having a fight with their significant other, working long hours, family crisis, and decreased sleep all cause stress.(4) Stress can be more subtle however, and can include dehydration, (5) not eating enough calories in a day, (6) eating unhealthy foods, (7) drinking to much alcohol, (8) (9) and missing meals. These patterns for some are an every day occurrence, and though life style changes are highly recommended, one way to stay more balanced is to add in the benefits of adaptogenic herbs.
When the body detects stress, whether real or imagined, in an attempt to deal with the stressor, the body releases cortisol. Cortisol is released by the adrenal glands which sit on top of each kidney. (9) (10)Cortisol increases the glucose availability in our body to assist in the fight or flight response. This prehistoric response needs the extra glucose to either fight the perceived stressor, or run as fast as one can away from the stressor. It takes an enormous amount of glucose to fight or flee, though often the stressor is a computer screen or a traffic jam when one is already late for work, and none of that glucose is actually used to run or fight. The body then has to deal with the excess glucose load, which is far higher than normal. If this were to happen every once in awhile the body could easily tolerate it. When stress is ever present however, it can cause increased blood sugars leading to weight gain. (10) This dis-regulation further stresses the body.
Over time cortisol causes decreased bone density, increased risks of depression and anxiety, lowered immune function, and decreased resistance to disease, (11) (12) decreased ability to access memory, and disruption of the bodies methylation(13) pathways. In the long term cortisol also can become depleted because all the stores of cortisol in the body have been used. This is called adrenal fatigue, where one just has nothing left to get out of bed let alone face the day ahead. Adrenal fatigue can have serious medical consequences. (11) (12)
Essentially adaptogens work with stress by working with cortisol. Many assist and balance adrenal function, the thyroid gland, the immune system, and are often antioxidants. They allow the stress response to not go either to high or to low keeping the body in over all balance.
Although there are many adaptogenic herbs, here is a short list that are hopeful in combating stress and disease:
Ginseng
Holy Basil
Reshi Mushroom
Moringa
Ashwaganda
Rhodiola
Astragalus
In future posts we will discuss these lovely adaptogenic herbs in more detail.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Alchemy Wellness are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician