8 Adaptogens To Take Now

What exactly are adaptogens?

Adaptogens come in the form of various plants and herbs which help rebalance the body’s stress responses. They're effective at helping the body adapt to stress, be it work stress, the changing of the seasons (which can affect the immune system) or emotional stress. Plus, they nourish the adrenal glands, stabilise blood sugar, restore blood pressure to a healthy level and even rebalance hormones.

Although only a recent addition to the Western wellness world, they’ve been used in Chinese and Indian ayurvedic medicine for centuries to boost resilience and energy in the face of adversity.

How do they work?

As Dr Frank Lipman explains, “Adaptogens are a bit like a thermostat. When the thermostat senses the room temperature is too high it brings it down and vice versa; similarly, adaptogens can calm you and boost energy simultaneously, yet without overstimulating, and can normalise body imbalances. By supporting adrenal function, they counteract the adverse effects of stress. They enable the body’s cells to access more energy; help cells eliminate toxic by-products of the metabolic process and help the body to utilise oxygen more effectively. In short, adaptogens are amazing.”

Who would benefit from taking them?

Pretty much everyone. While a go-to stress response (known as ‘fight or flight’) is vital to help us avoid life and death situations, a constant triggering of this extreme response on a daily basis – think overflowing inbox, deadlines, meetings or a traffic jam – isn’t healthy. When the body is living in a constant state of stress, the digestive system shuts down, energy is shifted from digesting food to the arms and legs for quicker movement and to the brain for quicker thinking.

In a nutshell, for anyone who experiences stress or fatigue on a regular basis, adaptogens could be the supplement you’ve been waiting for.

So where do you start?

There’s no right or wrong way to take adaptogens (whether you prefer a pill or superfood smoothie is your decision), however nutritionists agree on a daily intake for maximum benefit. If you don’t notice an immediate difference, be patient, adaptogens are powerful but slow acting so can take a few weeks to take effect.