Adaptogens: Just Adrenal Support or Something More?
The term “adaptogen” describes a class of herbs whose primary function in humans is to enhance stress resiliency (1, 2).
Many adaptogens positively influence the adrenal glands and their functions via modulation of the HPA-axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) (3, 4, 5, 6). Studies have also revealed a more widespread influence of adaptogens on the neuroendocrine-immune complex (7).
The health effects of adaptogens are widespread, demonstrating beneficial influences on:
The way that adaptogens improve the stress response is paradoxical in nature. They mildly activate several of the body's stress systems, effectively “strengthening” them to become more resilient (7). In the same way that exercising a muscle causes mild stress that increases strength over time.
There are also minimal to no side effects from adaptogens. Common side effects include insomnia, excitability, nausea, dry mouth, and headache. However, most side effects subside or disappear with taking a smaller amount (7).
Adrenal IQ is a great foundational health supplement with nine powerful adaptogenic herbs. While many of these herbs support the HPA axis to improve stress resiliency, they also offer several additional health benefits.
Health benefits of Ashwagandha:
Clinical Health benefits of Panax ginseng:
Clinical Health benefits of Astragalus:
Clinical Health benefits of Holy Basil:
Clinical Health benefits of Siberian ginseng:
Clinical health benefits of Schisandra:
Amla is historically known to possess adaptogenic qualities, though the research has yet to investigate the mechanisms in their entirety.
Clinical health benefits of Amla fruit:
Human studies have shown improvements in reproductive function in both men and women, unrelated to changes in sex hormone levels. Thus, maca may be affecting these systems via another method, such as through HPA-axis regulation, hormone receptor function, or neurological influences (84, 85)
Clinical health benefits of Maca:
Clinical health benefits of Rhodiola rosea:
Studies have shown that the active chemical components of these plants are structurally similar to our stress hormones. They can bind to the same receptors, helping our body adapt to become less reactive to stress (7).
Adrenal IQ combines adaptogens from around the world that have thrived in harsh environments for centuries. Indigenous people worldwide have long recognized these herbs' therapeutic benefits long before our ability to understand their molecular and chemical makeup. These foundational health-supporting herbs come with millennia of ancient wisdom and an abundance of health benefits.
The term “adaptogen” describes a class of herbs whose primary function in humans is to enhance stress resiliency (1, 2).
Many adaptogens positively influence the adrenal glands and their functions via modulation of the HPA-axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) (3, 4, 5, 6). Studies have also revealed a more widespread influence of adaptogens on the neuroendocrine-immune complex (7).
The health effects of adaptogens are widespread, demonstrating beneficial influences on:
- mitochondrial processes (8, 9, 10),
- DNA replication and repair (11, 12),
- various gene expression (13, 14, 15),
- central nervous system functions (7).
The way that adaptogens improve the stress response is paradoxical in nature. They mildly activate several of the body's stress systems, effectively “strengthening” them to become more resilient (7). In the same way that exercising a muscle causes mild stress that increases strength over time.
Health Benefits of Adaptogens
Each molecular interaction of adaptogens combines to result in far-reaching health benefits in areas such as:- Depression (17, 18, 19)
- Anxiety (20)
- Chronic fatigue (21)
- Sports performance via improves macle mass, endurance, and recovery (22)
- Mental fatigue, cognition, focus, and memory (23)
- Psychiatric disorders (24, 7)
- Sexual dysfunction (25, 26)
- Immune-related issues including viral, bacterial, and pathogenic infections (27) and autoimmunity (28)
- Endocrine system imbalances and hormone dysregulation (29, 7)
Multifaceted Health Enhancement
Given the benefits to various systems, it’s easy to see how adaptogens are excellent for foundational health support. Adaptogens are some of the most studied herbs, with thousands of papers on various ones.There are also minimal to no side effects from adaptogens. Common side effects include insomnia, excitability, nausea, dry mouth, and headache. However, most side effects subside or disappear with taking a smaller amount (7).
Adrenal IQ is a great foundational health supplement with nine powerful adaptogenic herbs. While many of these herbs support the HPA axis to improve stress resiliency, they also offer several additional health benefits.
Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng)
One of the most recognized and commonly used adaptogens, ashwagandha receives accolades for its anti-anxiety/relaxation effects, but its health benefits go beyond anxiety support. This ancient Aryuvedic herb has been used for centuries to improve overall resilience and well-being via modulation of the HPA axis (30).Health benefits of Ashwagandha:
- Reduce stress, anxiety, and cortisol (31, 32).
- Improve sleep and insomnia (33).
- Athletic performance enhancement (34).
- Immune support (35).
- Support menopause symptoms (36).
- Improve reproductive health in both men and women (37, 38).
Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng)
Commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and is most noted for its cognition and mood-enhancing properties. It grows natively in China, Russia, and Korea and has long been known for its adaptogenic properties. Panax ginseng appears to infer its health benefits primarily via modulation of the immune response and anti-inflammatory effects (39).Clinical Health benefits of Panax ginseng:
- Cognitive function and mental skill performance enhancement (40)
- Mild improvements in blood sugar management (41)
- Mild improvements to cardiovascular health via improved cholesterol and blood pressure (42, 43, 44)
- Reduced inflammation markers (45, 46)
Astragalus
A Traditional Chinese Medicine herb most noted for its immune-enhancing benefits. It has also demonstrated adaptogenic effects in improving stress resiliency, enhancing immune function, and boosting antioxidants (47).Clinical Health benefits of Astragalus:
- Boost immunity to respiratory infections (48)
- Improve seasonal allergies (49)
- Reduce diabetes-related health risks (50)
- Improve cardiovascular health (51, 52. 53)
- Enhances kidney function (54)
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
This Ayurvedic herb has long been known for its stress-resiliency properties. It is also a potent anti-viral and antioxidant. It has been shown to protect the body from toxins and support detoxification (55). It also shows promising effects on anxiety, mood, and mental health (55).Clinical Health benefits of Holy Basil:
- Supports liver health and detoxification (56, 57)
- Protects against toxic chemicals and heavy metals (58)
- Enahnces mental focus (59)
- Improves anxiety and depression (60)
- Improves blood sugar regulation (61)
- Boosts immune function (62)
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng)
Native to Russia, Korea, Japan, and parts of China, Siberian ginseng can reduce fatigue and improve stress resiliency via direct influence on the HPA axis. It also improves mitochondrial biogenesis, enhances immune function, and offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (7, 63, 64).Clinical Health benefits of Siberian ginseng:
- Improves metabolic health by decreasing triglycerides and increasing mitochondria (64)
- Improves vision (65)
- Enhances athletic performance (66)
- Immune boosting/anti-viral (67)
- Improves sleep disorders (68)
Schisandra fruit
Native to China, Russia, Japan, and Korea, this adaptogen provides potent stress resiliency support via HPA-axis modulation (7) and many other benefits, including immune, metabolic, central nervous system, and mitochondrial support (69).Clinical health benefits of Schisandra:
- Antimicrobial (69)
- Anti-diabetic via protecting pancreatic beta-cells and improving blood sugar response (70, 71)
- Improves blood cholesterol levels and metabolism (72)
- Improves fatty liver (73)
- Improves signs of aging and age-related health decline (69)
- Enhances mitochondrial health and function (74)
Amla Fruit
A less-known adaptogen, Amla, or Indian gooseberry, has been used in Aryuvedic medicine for centuries for various ailments (75). It’s commonly recognized for its high vitamin C content (hence, its use in our Whole-C IQ), but its therapeutic benefits expand beyond foundational nutritional needs.Amla is historically known to possess adaptogenic qualities, though the research has yet to investigate the mechanisms in their entirety.
Clinical health benefits of Amla fruit:
- Anti-diabetic properties (75)
- Anti-oxidant (76)
- Improves heart health by preventing lipid oxidation and supporting blood pressure regulation (77, 78)
- Anti-inflammatory (79)
- Improves gut health (80)
- Protects the nervous system (81)
Maca root
This Peruvian plant is another less-known adaptogen that grows in extreme conditions of the Andes mountains. Indigenous people have used maca to support fertility for thousands of years (82). Despite being new on the scene of scientific research, maca shows promising health benefits. It is rich in vitamin C, iron, and copper. It has also been shown to boost energy levels, enhance cognition, and improve stress resilience (83).Human studies have shown improvements in reproductive function in both men and women, unrelated to changes in sex hormone levels. Thus, maca may be affecting these systems via another method, such as through HPA-axis regulation, hormone receptor function, or neurological influences (84, 85)
Clinical health benefits of Maca:
- Increases sperm count (86)
- Anti-fungal (87)
- Improves menopause symptoms (84)
- Neuroprotective (85)
- Antidepressive effects (86)
- Anti-inflammatory (87)
- Protects against UV radiation (88)
- Anti-fatigue and mitochondrial-enhancing (89)
Rhodiola Rosea
This well-known adaptogen grows in cold regions of North America, mountainous regions of Central Asia and Europe, and the Arctic. Its adaptogenic qualities influence the HPA axis, and it also has potent anti-oxidant properties (7).Clinical health benefits of Rhodiola rosea:
- Anti-depressive (90)
- Anti-inflammatory (91)
- Antioxidant (92)
- Enhances athletic performance (93)
- Anti-aging (94)
- Improves chronic fatigue (95)
- Enhances brain function (96)
How Adaptogens Adapt
Adaptogens confer a wide range of benefits due to the extreme conditions in which they grow (83). They thrive in high altitudes, unrelenting sunlight exposure, harsh winds, and cold climates. They must be resilient to survive. These qualities appear to be passed to humans when consumed.Studies have shown that the active chemical components of these plants are structurally similar to our stress hormones. They can bind to the same receptors, helping our body adapt to become less reactive to stress (7).
Adrenal IQ combines adaptogens from around the world that have thrived in harsh environments for centuries. Indigenous people worldwide have long recognized these herbs' therapeutic benefits long before our ability to understand their molecular and chemical makeup. These foundational health-supporting herbs come with millennia of ancient wisdom and an abundance of health benefits.
