What are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are promising yet rare herbs, comprising an estimated 1 of every 300 herbs and 1 of every 4,000 plants^[1]. They help regulate various structures within the body, allowing for homeostasis to be more easily attained^[2]. There are several main mechanisms by which they may exert their effect.

The book Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, provided the following formal definition:

"In 1968, Israel I. Brekhman, PhD, and Dr. I. V. Dardymov formally gave adaptogens a functional definition, as follows:

1.) An adaptogen is nontoxic to the recipient.

2.) An adaptogen produces a nonspecific response in the body- an increase in the power of resistance against multiple stressors including physical, chemical, or biological agents.

3.) An adaptogen has a normalizing influence on physiology, irrespective of the direction of change from physiological norms caused by the stressor."^[2]

The book further defines their mechanism of action as follows:

"The explanation that has been most discussed by researchers says that adaptogens act by stimulating the body's nonspecific stress response via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathoadrenal system.

Our conclusion is that various active constituents found in herbal adaptogens work to stimulate the neuroendocrine and immune systems via multiple metabolic pathways. They affect the brain, nerves, endocrine glands (pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, thymus, pineal, pancreas, ovaries, and testes), and immune system by helping re-regulate, normalize, and enhance function."^[3]

^[1] (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 18)

^[2] (Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, pg. 17-8)

^[3] (Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, pg. 30-1)