Stress-busting adaptogens holistic helpers

By Jamie-Lynn Shaw, BHSc, CNP, PTS, NNCP

You may have heard or seen the buzzword “adaptogens” popping up on drink menus lately and in the health and wellness industry, and may be wondering what they are.  

Adaptogens are a class of healing herbs and plants that have long been used in natural medicine. They are a unique class of herb that helps restore, protect, and balance the body. Adaptogens don’t have a specific action, but rather helps the body respond to stressors to normalize physiological responses and increase the body’s resistance to stress.

In response to stress, the body is meant to release the hormone cortisol, but elevated levels of cortisol over a long period of time or chronic stress will negatively affect the body’s physiological systems, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. Cortisol causes the body to go into fight-or-flight mode, which activates the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal glands. This causes an increase in blood pressure and decreases digestion. Under normal circumstances, the body and brain will respond to the stressor and then go back to normal once the “threat” is gone, however in modern society people are experiencing this response too frequently and are in a state of constant stress. This chronic stress can burn out the adrenal glands, cause premature aging, and interfere with normal digestive processes.

Adaptogens are an amazing natural health product to include in your wellness routine as they help to naturally relieve stress and fatigue and reduce cortisol levels, but be sure to always speak with a health professional before starting a new supplement to see if it’s right for you.

Below is a list of some common adaptogens and a few of their main functions:

Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng)

• Helps to relieve stress and reduce cortisol levels
• Increases energy
• Improves concentration
• Human studies have shown it to reduce blood sugar levels in both healthy individuals and those with diabetes
• May help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and fatigue

2. Holy basil

• Known to treat a large number of conditions including skin diseases, infections, liver disorders, common cold and cough, fight bacteria and viral infections.
• Powerful anti-aging supplement
• Cognition- enhancing benefits

3. Rhodiola

• Provides an anti-fatigue defence that improves mental performance and ability to concentrate
• May help reduce acute stress response from short-duration exercise
• Functions as an antioxidant
• It has been studied as potentially effective in helping with a number of conditions including job performance, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, irritability, high blood pressure, headaches and fatigue.

4. Cordyceps mushrooms

• Cordyceps, reishi, shiitake, maitake mushrooms are all fungi with antioxidant properties and reduce oxidative stress
• They are not classic adaptogens, but all have adaptogenic and immune-boosting properties
• Anti-fatigue qualities and lower cortisol response to exercise

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Jamie-Lynn Shaw, BHSc, CNP, PTS, NNC , is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner based in the Ottawa area.  Visit http://www.jamielynnshaw.com