Adaptogens For Stress Relief

Adaptogens are herbs that enhance our ability to deal with emotional, physical, and environmental stress. They have a normalizing affect on the body, are non-toxic, and have very few side effects. They have been in use for thousands of years in China and India and are becoming a more popular subject of study since a surge in interest in 1940’s Soviet Union.

Common name Botanical Name Usage Usage
American ginseng Panax quinquefolis Plant part Used:  root
Forms & dosage: tincture, decoction, capsule
Mild CNS (Central Nervous System) stimulant and nourishing to the HPA axis
Alma Embilca officinalis Plant part Used:  fruit
Forms & dosage: tincture, decoction
Antioxidant, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory
Ashwaganda Withania somnifera Plant part Used:  root
Forms & dosage: tincture, decoction, capsule
Calming adaptogen, relieves muscle pain
Asian Ginseng Panax ginseng Plant part Used:  root
Forms & dosage:
tincture, decoction, capsule

Stimulating adaptogen for adrenal exhaustion
Astralagus Astralagus recemousus Plant part Used:  root
Forms & dosage: tincture, decoction
Immune tonic, heart tonic
Cordycepts Cordycepts pilosula Plant part Used:  mushroom, mycelium
Forms & dosage: tincture, decoction, capsule
Lung and kidney tonic, immune amphoteric
Dang shen Codonopisis pilosula Plant part Used:  root
Forms & dosage: tincture, decoction
Immune tonic, gastro protective
*Eleuthero Eleutheroccoccus senticosus Plant part Used:  root, stem bark
Forms & dosage: tincture, decoction, capsule

Immune tonic, adrenal tonic, anti-fatigue, performance enhancer
Guduchi Tinospora cordifolia Plant part Used:  root, stem
Forms & dosage: tincture, decoction
Hepato protective (protective to the liver), immune amphoteric
He shou wu Polygonum multiforum Plant part Used:  root
Forms: tincture, decoction
Supports the liver, kidney, blood, and male reproductive function
*Holy Basil Ocimum sanctum, O. gratissimum Plant part Used:  herb
Forms: tincture, tea, capsule
Supports normal cortisol levels and blood sugar levels
Jiaogulan Gynostemma pentaphyllum Plant part Used:  herb
Forms: tincture, tea, capsule
Immune stimulant, calming
Licorice Gycyrrhiza glabra Plant part Used:  root
Forms: tincture, decoction, capsule
Immune amphoteric (affects the immune system), heals stomach and bowel
Lycium Lycium chinensis Plant part Used:  fruit
Forms: tincture, decoction, as a food
Anti-oxidant, immune tonic, supports the liver, kidney, and eyes
Prince sen Psedostekkaria heterophylla Plant part Used:  root
Forms: tincture, decoction
Immune and lung tonic
Reishi Ganoderma lucidum Plant part Used:  mushroom, mycelium
Forms: tincture, decoction, capsule
Immune amphoretic, calms the shen (mind, consciousness)
Raponticum Rhaponticum carththamoides Plant part Used:  root
Forms: tincture, decoction, capsule
Immune stimulant, hearth tonic
Rhodiola Rhodiola rosea Plant part Used:  root
Forms: tincture, decoction, capsule

Immune amphoretic, cardioprotective
Schisandra Schisandra chinesis Plant part Used:  fruit, seed
Forms: tincture, decoction, capsule

Balances the nervous system, antioxidant, hepatoprotective
Shatavari Asparagus recemousus Plant part Used:  root
Forms: tincture, decoction, capsule
Female reproductive tonic, immune and lung tonic
Shilajit Asphatum bitumen Plant part Used:  pitch(plant resin)
Forms: capsule
Lowers blood sugar levels

 

* the start signifies specific adaptogens that are helpful for adrenal support
** Dosages for the individual adaptogens are as stated on the package or as directed by your health care practitioner.

I\’d recommend checking out these sites for your herbal needs:

Host Defense, is a family-owned, environmentally friendly company specializing in using gourmet and functional food mushrooms to improve the health of the planet and its people.

Himalaya Herb, is a worldwide pioneer in the field of scientifically validated herbal healthcare.

Sources:
Winston, David, Steven Maines, (2007). Adaptogens. Roachester, VT: Healing Arts Press.