Adaptogens benefit not only during seasonal changes, what you should know about them

Adaptogens benefit not only during seasonal changes, what you should know about them

What adaptogens are and how they work

Adaptogens are a group of plants, fungi and berries used in naturopathy and traditional folk medicine (typically in China, India and other countries) to help harmonise the functioning of the human organism and restore its natural balance. They are most often used in stressful situations, nervous exhaustion or for better coping with transitions between seasons.

They support the body's natural ability to adapt to the situation it finds itself in and better go through the process it is currently facing. They support a successful fight against external and internal aggressions. They act on the whole body. Their great advantage is that they help kickstart the defense system, whether psychological or physical. Because adaptogens can have various contraindications with administered medicines, it is necessary to consult their suitability with the attending physician.

The European Medicines Agency has set three criteria defining what an adaptogenic plant is:

  • Increases the nonspecific resistance of the organism to stress in a broad sense (a wide range of environmental aggressions and emotional states)
  • Has a regulatory effect, enabling the body to maintain or restore balance.
  • Shows no toxicity.

When is it generally appropriate to reach for adaptogens

When should you consider reaching for adaptogens? In various situations. Adaptogens act as physiological regulators. They are ideal for stress management, when stimulation of natural brain functions is needed (in students, seniors, after a stroke). They support the building of a resilient immune system and are excellent means to replenish energy reserves in case of fatigue. They act as metabolic regulators.

Ashwagandha: A helpful adaptogen during menopause

Menopause is simply the end of a woman's fertile period, ovulation stops and menstruation ceases. A shortage of estrogen and progesterone hormones then occurs in the female body, triggering different states that the organism has to cope with.

These include weight gain, increased water retention, dry skin, decreased natural libido, hot flashes, mood changes and depression. Adaptogenic plants in the form of a dietary supplement may, after medical consultation, be a quite good helper for women going through hormonal changes.

Ashwagandha is a plant par excellence for the menopausal period:

Contraindications:

In hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases, when using antidepressants, unsuitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

What are the best adaptogenic plants?

Adaptogenic plants are used in the form of dietary supplements either alone or in effectively chosen combinations, which can be enriched for example with trace elements. They are designed to benefit the organism as best as possible and complement each other.

Adaptogens that it is good to know how to use are these:

  • Ginseng is a popular part of traditional Chinese medicine. It is mainly grown in Korea, China and Japan. It has been used for centuries as a refreshment for body and mind, considered a plant of vitality. Mainly because it supports physical energy, acts as an intellectual stimulant and a plant to help concentration, and is also indicated for intimate difficulties. It is also recommended in convalescence for its ability to reduce physical and mental fatigue.
  • Eleutherococcus (Siberian ginseng) comes from Asia. The greatest concentration of beneficial substances is found in its roots. It is grown in China, Japan, Korea and Siberia. It is used as a means against stress and fatigue, stimulates appetite and the immune system, and supports natural physical, intellectual and intimate performance. It is sometimes recommended in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism and gastritis (stomach inflammation).
  • Rhodiola, called rose root in Czech, is popular as a strengthening, invigorating plant and overall tonic. It grows on stony slopes in Siberia, Tibet, China, Russia, the United States and Canada. Naturopaths recommend it as a means to support intellectual performance, maintain natural cognitive functions and also in stressful situations and low energy reserves. It promotes the secretion of the "good mood" hormone serotonin. Caution is recommended for people suffering from manic-depressive psychosis, for whom the root may cause episodes of psychological excitement (mania).
  • Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurveda for millennia and is also known as "Indian ginseng." It grows mainly in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Yemen. It is a popular adaptogen for strengthening and toning the organism and supporting the immune system. It helps maintain energy and vitality, benefits physical and mental resilience. It is also recommended as a means to support sound sleep. It is rich in antioxidants, iron, potassium, fatty acids and glucose. It also contains active compounds ashwagandhin, withanolide, withanin, withaferin, somniferin, somnin and anaferin.
  • Maca, or Peruvian ginseng, comes from high-altitude plateaus. It is extremely resilient and survives even in very harsh climatic conditions. The tuber has become a popular naturopathic helper for reducing fatigue and supporting overall well-being due to its excellent toning properties. It is indicated for intimate disorders, weakened immune system, anemia, menstrual problems, menopause, joint pain or psychological difficulties. It has a good composition of unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid (32.6%), linolenic acid (15.4%) and oleic acid (11.1%). It is rich in amino acids and also contains sterols, minerals, vitamins (B1, B2, B12, D, E, C).

Practical powders loaded with adaptogens not only for gloomy days from Soulel Health

The company Soulel Health is already a real name here. We began enthusiastically exploring combinations that "keep us alive." And we say that without any joke. Because they are truly magical helpers for everyday coping with common situations at work and home. And especially suitable during transitions between seasons. They are designed not only to strengthen the immune system but also to supplement the necessary energy of the organism, which begins to adapt to colder days with the loss of strong sun rays.

Besides containing adaptogens that act as effective pick-me-ups for those suffering autumn waves of fatigue, they are also packed with a high dose of plants rich in antioxidants that support immune responses and at the same time protect the body's cells against the effects of free radicals, which can cause premature aging as a result of exposure to oxidative stress.

  • Soulel Dirt Bio powder, a coffee alternative with chaga and ginseng, is a combination of Siberian ginseng eleutherococcus root rich in vitamins A and C, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, eleutherosides. It is complemented by dandelion root, used as a means to combat oxidative stress and the associated development of infectious foci in the organism. The Siberian mushroom chaga is another very strong adaptogen. It serves as an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, selenium, iodine, vitamins B1, B2, B3, D, A, K, as well as proteins and fiber. These strong plants are supplemented with guarana seeds to provide energy for depleted body reserves, licorice root and Ceylon cinnamon. Its advantage is that, unlike coffee, it releases energy gradually, so the organism does not feel "charged" with a subsequent sharp drop leading to the onset of fatigue as with traditional coffee.
  • Soulel Booster Bio powder also contains Siberian ginseng root (Eleutherococcus), which acts as a strong adaptogen, but unlike Dirt it is not supplemented with guarana, but its combination with immune-supporting tasty licorice remains. They are supplemented with cherries, baobab fruit, camu-camu and an excellent source of vitamin C (red currant). This creates an ideal combination rich in antioxidants and provides the body with a balanced supply of vitamins and minerals. In addition to vitamins C, E and K1, cherries also contain copper and manganese; baobab is a rich source of fiber, vitamins B1, B2, polyphenols, calcium, potassium, iron and manganese. Camu-camu, a popular superfruit, is not only rich in B vitamins (specifically B1-B3), but also sodium, iron, potassium, calcium and plant proteins. So it is effectively another antioxidant and nutritious bomb for an organism suffering from the adverse states of autumn fatigue.

Sources:

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/reflection-paper-adaptogenic-concept_en.pdf European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products, 2008

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19403286/ The effects of Rhodiola rosea extract on 5-HT level, cell proliferation and quantity of neurons at cerebral hippocampus of depressive rats

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659585/ Effects of Korean Red Ginseng on Cognitive and Motor Function: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15507373/ Effects of various Eleutherococcus senticosus cortex on swimming time, natural killer activity and corticosterone level in forced swimming stressed mice

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8397213/ Immunomodulatory Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial with an Open Label Extension on Healthy Participants

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0975357512800538 Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ashwagandha: A Preliminary Study in vitro