What is an adaptogen?

Most medicinal products, whether made in nature or in the lab, are designed to target specific symptoms or individual medical conditions. Adaptogens are different in that they have more holistic, generalized, and supportive effects.  Adaptogenic plants possess properties that help our bodies cope with physical, emotional, and mental stressors, especially through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system, which is the neuroendocrine system that regulates the body's stress response. Adaptogens modulate these stress responses to make us more resilient to physical and mental strain. These chemical interactions help re-align and re-balance normal biochemical pathways that are faltering from stress or illness. Because the underlying issues are different in people, you may have a different response than someone else. In some people it may lift their mood – in others, it might give them more energy or focus. Still others may not notice anything, and for them an adaptogen may not be the answer. But even for them, they can be assured of other important, more subtle health benefits that may not be perceptible at all, such as antioxidant / anti-inflammation properties - and even possible anti-aging effects.

Rhodiola rosea root is a powerful adaptogen – think Ashwaganda on steroids!