Using Adaptogenic Herbs to Reduce Stress, Boost Energy

Adaptogenic herbs simultaneously calm and energize. Their unique abilities help counteract stress and improve mood, mental clarity, and physical stamina. It’s no secret that stress can make you sick and profoundly impact your mental health and quality of life. It’s thought that stress plays a part in 90% of all illnesses. ( 1 ) But what is a well-kept secret is a group of natural substances, known as adaptogens or adaptogenic herbs , that can neutralize the effects of stress. These herbs are not new; in fact, they’ve been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. But with so many people searching for ways to minimize the effects of stress on their lives, these herbal remedies are as relevant as ever. Adaptogens have the unique ability to calm you down and increase your energy without being either stimulating or sedative. What Are Adaptogenic Herbs? Adaptogens are herbal remedies that make you more resilient to stress of all kinds — mental, physical, and environmental. They are so named because they help you adapt . To be considered a true adaptogen, an herb must meet these requirements: It must be safe. It must work by reducing your body’s stress response. It must support overall health by helping the body achieve a state of balance known as homeostasis . It must be neither a stimulant nor a sedative. A simple analogy is that adaptogens work like a thermostat. They fine-tune your body to stay in the “Goldilocks zone,” feeling neither overstimulated nor drained, but calmly energized. Adaptogen is not a medically recognized term. ( 2 ) Before the term adaptogen was coined, these substances were usually referred to as tonics . The Dangers of Cortisol and Stress Before we look at specific adaptogenic herbs you can use, it’s […]

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