Adaptogenic means a nontoxic substance, usually a plant extract or mushroom, that helps the body manage stress and return to balance.
Adaptogens are believed to work by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s main stress response system. They are thought to reduce the body’s reaction to stress and help it adapt to stressors better.
Adaptogens are taken as herbal supplements in capsule form, or they can be consumed in teas or added to foods like soups and smoothies.
Some examples of adaptogens include:
Cannabis
Rhodiola rosea
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Schisandra chinensi
Cordyceps
Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)