Adaptogens

For many individuals in recovery, feelings of anxiety and stress are very common.  Early sobriety is filled with a large amount of uncertainty as major life changes start to happen.  New relationships forming, old relationships ending, and changes in living situations are all common during this time.  Two of the more talked about ways of dealing with stress and anxious feelings include exercise and diet.  In addition to these wonderful ways of coping with these types of feelings, the therapeutic use of herbs can also have a wonderful impact.  A special class of herbs called adaptogens has been known to help combat stress and have a positive influence on the human body.

What Is An Adaptogen? 

Adaptogens are a distinctive group of botanical herbs that can help reduce the impact of long-term stress and improve the health of the body’s adrenal system.  These powerful compounds assist in the body’s response to stressors and also help to fight fatigue.  There are several criteria that adaptogens are required to meet:

1. The substance must be safe and non-toxic.  It must not cause any strain on any of the body’s organs.
2. It must increase the body’s resistance to stress by a range of chemical and physical factors.
3. They must help the body to maintain homeostasis or balance.

Although these criteria may seem broad, there are actually just a small number of herbs that have been classified as adaptogens.  Several of these include ginseng, ashwagandha, cordyceps, reishi, and rhodiola.

Most of these items can be purchased in capsule or powder form and can be taken like vitamins or included in smoothies.  As these compounds are becoming more popular, they are easy to locate online or in your local health food store.

Why Am I Now Just Hearing About These?

While you may just be hearing about some of these compounds for the first time, they have in fact been used for many years in some parts of the world.  Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine have used these herbs for centuries to help heighten energy and fight stress.  In Western culture, we are very quick to look for a prescription to solve all of our problems, but the good news is that there is a more natural approach that may help improve some body functions.

Now What?  

We know that adaptogens can have a wonderful effect on stress and energy levels, but for maximum impact, it is important to combine these powerful herbs with other positive changes as well.  A wonderful approach to reducing stress is to look at it from several angles.  Combining adaptogens with a change in diet and the addition of exercise will increase your chances of success.  Open your mind to the idea that there may be a better approach to dealing with stress than you have tried before.  Perhaps our ancestors have had the answer all along!