What Are Adaptogens? Adaptogens Guide and FAQs

Table of Contents

What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are a class of herbal medicines that help the body adapt to stress. They work by modulating the stress response, which helps the body to better cope with physical, mental, and emotional stressors. Adaptogens can be consumed in a variety of forms, including teas, tinctures, capsules, and powders.

How Do Adaptogens They Work?

They work by supporting the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which helps regulate hormones like cortisol that affect our response to stress. Adaptogens also have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-balancing properties which can reduce fatigue and provide an overall sense of well-being.

Which Foods Have Adaptogens?

There are a variety of adaptogenic foods including:

  • Ashwagandha
  • Ginseng
  • Maca
  • Rhodiola
  • Holy Basil

These can be consumed in a variety of forms, including teas, tinctures, capsules, and powders.

How Should I Take Adaptogens?

The most effective way to take adaptogens is to start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed.

There are many different ways to use adaptogens. They can be taken in powder, capsule or tincture form. You can also find adaptogenic herbs in teas, coffees and tinctures.

adaptogenic tea

One of the simplest ways to use adaptogens is to drink them in tea. You can buy adaptogenic tea blends or make your own by adding adaptogenic herbs to your favorite tea.

adaptogenic coffee

You can also add adaptogens to coffee. This is a great way to get an energy boost and improve your focus. Simply add adaptogenic herbs to your coffee grounds or brewed coffee.

adaptogenic tincture

Adaptogenic tinctures are concentrated extracts of adaptogenic herbs. They are taken by adding a few drops to water or juice. Tinctures can be found in health food stores or online.

adaptogenic beverages

There are also lot's of adaptogenic beverages on the market. Adaptogenic beverages are drinks infused with adaptogenic herbs. These beverages, like adaptogenic teas or coffees, offer a convenient and enjoyable way to consume adaptogens and can help improve energy, reduce stress, and support overall well-being.

What Are The Benefits Of Adaptogen Beverages?

Adaptogen beverages offer a wide range of health benefits. They can help reduce stress and anxiety, boost energy levels, improve sleep quality, reduce inflammation, and improve overall mental clarity. They are also known to help support the immune system, regulate hormones and balance blood sugar levels.

Diminish Stress

Cortisol is a stress hormone that helps the body prepare for physical or psychological threats. In small doses, it’s beneficial. But when cortisol levels are constantly high, it can lead to weight gain, anxiety and other health problems.

Adaptogen drinks help to lessen stress and cortisol levels, which in turn can promote weight loss, better sleep and improved mood.

Reduce Anxiety

Anxiety is a common mental health disorder that can have a profound effect on your day-to-day life. They have been shown to help reduce anxiety by modulating the stress response.

A recent study found that adaptogens like Ashwagandha significantly reduced anxiety and stress levels.

Boost Energy Levels

If you’re struggling with fatigue, performance-enhancers can help. These herbs help to increase energy levels by promoting mitochondrial function and improving blood circulation.

Energy-boosting adaptogens include ginseng (Panax ginseng), maca (Lepidium meyenii) and cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris).

Support Immune Function

Immune function is vital for overall health. Unfortunately, stress can take a toll on the immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses.

Adaptogens can help to support immune function by reducing inflammation and regulating the stress response.

Some of the best types for immunity are astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) and echinacea (Echinacea purpurea). These herbs can be found in many adaptogenic drinks on the market.

Support Brain Health

Adaptogens not only help to reduce stress, but they also support brain health by protecting neurons from damage and reducing inflammation. When the brain is inflamed, it’s more susceptible to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Adaptogenic drinks for brain health include bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) and ashwagandha.

Can I Take Adaptogens if I Have a Health Condition?

If you have a health condition, it is always best to speak with your healthcare provider before taking adaptogens. This is because adaptogens can interact with certain medications and may not be appropriate for everyone. Additionally, adaptogens should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do Adaptogens Have Side Effects?

Adaptogens are generally considered safe for most people. In general, people with health conditions or those that are pregnant should avoid adaptogens. The most common side effect of adaptogens is mild gastrointestinal upset. If you experience any severe side effects, stop taking adaptogens and consult your healthcare provider.

Can I Take Adaptogens Everyday?

Yes, you can take adaptogens every day! Adaptogens work to help your body adapt to physiological and psychological stressors. It is safe to take them daily, but you should always consult with your healthcare provider before taking any supplement or medication. Pay attention to your body's needs and adjust your dosage accordingly.

Are Adaptogenic Beverages Effective?

Because adaptogenic drinks are still fairly new, there are some questions about their effectiveness. Adaptogens and drinks derived from them, through research, have shown to be effective and encourage health benefits. However, it is important to remember that they are not meant to act in place of medicine. Adaptogenic drinks can help boost energy levels and alleviate stress, but it only manages the symptoms of these problems, not the root.

Adaptogen drinks are relaxing drinks, and consuming adaptogens and nootropic drinks are a simple way to start managing your health.

Aisha is the founder and CEO of Moment. Despite having grown up in multiple different places, Aisha’s grew up with traditional South Asian values and practices. One of those included understanding natural ingredients so you can proactively consume them to support different aspects of mind-body health. These were wide ranging from Tulsi (Holy Basil) to Turmeric. As part of this, she developed an interest in and has been self-experimenting with other super-foods like Chloprophyll and Chaga to understand their impact. Being an area of interest, Aisha has continued experimenting with local superfoods during her travels and spoken to hundreds of experts on their benefits.

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