Do Adaptogens Protect You From Stress?

Today's topic was requested by Nurition Diva podcast listener Willow:

"I would love to know more about adaptogens. Are they real? Can they reduce stress? We've been under a lot of stress in the last year, so anything that can help to reduce sounds wonderful."

Many of us feel like we've been under more stress in the last year than ever before. But even prior to the pandemic, a majority of adults surveyed by the American Psychological Association believed that their levels of day-to-day stress were unhealthy.  And adaptogens are nothing new either. 

The history of adaptogenic herbs

Although the term adaptogen is relatively new, many of the herbs now considered to be adaptogens have been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. These include ashwagandha, ginseng, rhodiola, and schisandra chinensis.  In these ancient medical systems, these herbs were typically thought of as "tonics," or all-purpose remedies that were good for whatever ails you. 

Beginning in the 20th century, natural and alternative medicine practitioners latched on to them as an antidote to the seemingly unprecedented levels of stress that accompany modern life. The term "adaptogen" was coined around 1940 and was initially defined as a plant-based medicine that helped the body withstand or overcome the physiological effects of stress -- be it psychological, emotional, chemical, or environmental.

Just in the last 20 years or so, they've attracted more attention from researchers interested in testing whether these plants really do affect our physiological stress responses and, if so, how exactly they work. In 1998, the FDA proposed the following definition: “A new kind of metabolic regulator that has proved to help in environmental adaptation and to prevent external harms.”  

The term "adaptogen" was coined around 1940 and was initially defined as a plant-based medicine that helped the body withstand or overcome the physiological effects of stress.

Stress is not always bad

Hans Selye is perhaps the father of our modern ideas about stress. And one of his key insights was that stress is not always (or only) bad. Getting a promotion, falling in love, or having a child are all examples of highly stressful -- but positive -- situations.  The excitement you feel just before you pop the question to your beloved and the fear you feel before giving a big presentation at work are both accompanied by the same stress hormones.

When we experience stress...

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