Adaptogens 101: What You Need To Know

You may not be too familiar with adaptogens are, but you will hear about them very soon as new research is continually being published about their health benefits, they are becoming a force in the health world. This class of incredibly powerful plants has been used in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and now decades after scientists in the West discovered these plants during World War II, are seeing the limelight due to their stress-protective and energy boosting properties. Besides that, these plants also provide the body with a plethora of health benefits per plant and can treat a variety of ailments.

What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens - or adaptogenic substances - like herbs, practices, and compounds are all part of a pharmacological concept that, when used, result in the stabilization of physiological processes and promote homeostasis such as a decrease in cellular sensitivity to stress. Essentially, adaptogens are a unique class of healing herbs and plants used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine that promotes the restoration, balancing, and protection of the body from adverse influences, such as stress. 

The term adaptogen was first coined in 1947 by the Soviet Union's Ministry of Health and was specifically referring to a class of mushrooms and herbs offering incredible support for the body's natural resistance towards mental and physical ailments. One of the significant benefits of adaptogens is it works with the body's specific needs and adapts the plant's function to what nutrients the body needs to restore health and wellbeing for the patient.