Have you heard about Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are fast becoming popular products that you may be consuming without realising the full benefits.
Adaptogens have been known and used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine, but it wasn’t until World War II that the mechanism of action was researched extensively. The term “adaptogen” was coined in 1950-1960.
What does the term “adaptogen” mean?
An adaptogen is considered a “natural bioregulator that increases the ability of the organism to adapt to environmental factors and to avoid damage from such factors”. What this means is they help improve the person’s endurance and ability to deal with changes in a healthy way. Helping the person to adapt to physical, mental or emotional stressors. Their benefits:
- Protecting the nervous system from injury or damage
- Anti-fatigue – promotes energy
- Antidepressant
- Anxiety reducing
- Assisting memory, concentration, mental alertness and wakefulness
- Stimulating the central nervous system
Adaptogens are herbal medicines and the most well-known ones include:
- Ginseng - both Panax and Siberian
- Astragalus
- Withania somnifera – most commonly known as Ashwagandha
- Rhodiola
- Schisandra chinensis
There are many different forms that the above herbs come in besides liquid herbs that can be dispensed by a naturopath. There are tablets and capsules, but also teas and in powder forms. One of our favourite products is Teelixir Ashwagandha Root as you can easily mix into tea or coffee or make a hot drink with it. It can be added to smoothies, baking, soups and just about anything so that you can get the benefits easily on a daily basis.
There are protein powder products and green drink products that are adding ashwagandha as this adaptogen seems to be quite the buzz right now. Literally!
Come and chat to us about what adaptogen products we have in store to help you get some pep in your step in this busy and stressful environment.