If you’ve been keeping up on my previous posts, you saw how the endocrine system and immune system are interconnected. The way you process stressful situations can either enhance or destroy your immune system.
Definition
Plants that help an individual “adapt” to stressful situations or environment.
It helps restore balance and increase resistance against all types of stress: environmental, emotional, physical and biological. They can help balance the endocrine system and modulate the immune system.
Adaptogens, David Winston
Adaptogens are highly researched herbs that have these three characteristics:
- Non-toxic – they are safe and have no significant side effects
- Nonspecific – produces a nonspecific response, meaning it provides assistance to every system to adapt to any stressor
- Normalize – has a balancing or normalizing influence on the body; it can decrease or increase activity as needed
So, if we know that keeping a balanced stress response as well as normalizing our immune response (overactivity = allergies, hives and potentially other chronic diseases; under activity = susceptibility to external and internal pathogens) then it would make sense to add adaptogens to your life.
I’m not a huge advocate of just throwing adaptogens at a stressed out person. My approach is completely holistic and will always include the dietary and lifestyle suggestions I covered in my previous posts. Nervine herbs and lifestyle adjustments are imperative. However, adding adaptogens can modulate your immune system, reduce risk of disease and slow the aging process.
Some Adaptogens to Consider:
Adaptogens generally work better in combination due to their synergistic effect. Most of the time, I recommend the combinations formulated by Donald Yance, which I know they undergo vigorous testing for quality and correct dosage.
If you’d like to make an appointment with me to discuss adding adaptogens to your regimen, please schedule one today.
Primary Adaptogens:
- Panax quinquefolius
- Withania somnifera
- Panax ginseng
- Eleutherococcus senticosus
- Rhodiola rosea
- Schisandra chinensis
Secondary Adaptogens
- Astragalus membranaceous
- Bacopa monnieri
- Oplopanax horrid us
- Centella asiatica
- Ocimum sanctum
- Avena sativa
- Ganoderma lucidum
Adding herbs when using any of the above adaptogens can increase efficacy and really assist your body in balancing, increasing energy, fighting off colds and flus, and feeling better in general.
Resources:
Adaptogens. David Winston & Steven Maimes
Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism, Donald R. Yance
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