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.