What are adaptogens and how can I add them to my daily routine?

Adaptogens are natural herbs or roots that help your body adapt to or resist stress. They are usually consumed as a supplement, food item, or tea. But what exactly do adaptogens do?

There are many different adaptogens that can be found all over the world from Ashwagandha, an evergreen shrub found in India, the Middle East, and regions of Africa, to a high-altitude shrub that grows in artic and mountainous parts of North America, Europe, and Asia called Rhodiola rosea L. No matter where they are found or how they are consumed, adaptogens can aid in supporting your overall health by helping your body achieve balance (or homeostasis); adapt to various types of stress: including physical, emotional, or psychological; or even improve your ability to focus and help you to feel calm.

Adaptogens are far from a new discovery as they have been used for centuries in homeopathic and Chinese healing traditions. Modern research is beginning to show why adaptogens help maintain balance in the body and discover other ways we can absorb the benefits of adaptogens. In fact, adaptogens have become more popular in today’s world. The adaptogens market is expected to reach almost $4 Billion by 2025!

How adaptogens work in the body

Adaptogens have been shown to help our bodies combat stress and improve psychological function. But how exactly do adaptogens do this?

Brenda Powell, co-medical director of the Center for Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute when speaking to Time Magazine, says "When we exercise, it's a stress on our body. But as we continue to train and exercise, our body becomes better at dealing with the stress of it, so we no longer get as tired or as high a heart rate." Powell compares consuming adaptogens to “training your body to handle the effects of stress." Adaptogens work with our bodies in a natural way, similar to exercise. When used alongside exercise and other healthy practices, adaptogens can have excellent benefits, not just psychological but also physical benefits.

Most Common Adaptogens

As mentioned before, you can consume adaptogens in a variety of ways from supplements to food items or teas. Some of the most common adaptogens are spices and herbs you can find at your local grocery store. Here’s a list of commonly found adaptogens that you should consider adding to your routine:

• Schisandra
• Ashwagandha
• Tulsi Basil
• Maca Root
• Reishi Mushroom
• Cordyceps Mushroom
• Turmeric
• Nettle Leaf
• Licorice

Benefits of adaptogens

Not only can adaptogens be effective in helping your body adapt to and manage stress, but a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology found that adaptogens can have an anti-fatigue effect on healthy subjects and burnout patients expressing fatigue syndrome.

Additionally, adaptogens are beginning to be used in skin care with research showing that serums, creams, and night masks formulated with adaptogens can decrease the oxidative damage from UV exposure when compared to untreated sites. Besides having psychological benefits, adaptogens also have physical benefits that can help you feel and look better.

While there are many great benefits of adaptogens, if you are taking any medications or have any questions if adaptogens are right for you, you should consult with your doctor or healthcare provider.

How to start adding adaptogens to your daily routine?

If you’re ready to begin adding adaptogens to your daily routine, you may want to consider trying a tea or powder supplement, such as Nu Skin’s Pharmanex products. If you are interested in using adaptogens in your skin care routine, Nu Skin’s Nutricentials Bioadaptive Skin Care line features great products containing adaptogens such as rhodiola, ginseng, chaga mushroom, tulsi (holy basil), maral root, etc.

With so many ways to incorporate adaptogens, you may feel overwhelmed when looking to add them into your daily routine. But adding adaptogens to fit your lifestyle does not need to be complicated. You can determine the best type for you by evaluating your needs and searching for adaptogens that best treat those needs. For example, if you are looking to support your immunity, you may consider products or supplements containing reishi or ginseng.

The best way to determine what adaptogens work best for you and develop good habits around using adaptogens is to simply begin. The first step is to find a product or product line that you are interested in and give it a try.