Adaptogens are unique compounds found in various plants and fungi that are believed to help your body adapt to and resist stress. These remarkable compounds modulate the body's
stress response, helping you maintain balance in the face of physical, chemical, biological, or emotional stressors.
These natural ingredients frequently form the cornerstone of traditional medicine practices, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and many others. Yet, modern science only began studying adaptogens in the 1960s, when the term was first coined.
More than half a century later, adaptogenic herbs and
fungi are taking over. You may have seen them popping up in wellness drinks, heard about them from your doctor, or even scrolled past an influencer recommending them on social media.
While any health claims made on social platforms should always be taken with a grain of salt, there is actually scientific evidence of the benefits of adaptogens. In many cases, clinical studies support these effects.
Various scientific journals have proposed different ways of classifying adaptogens, but generally, the requirements are the same. According to herbalist and physician
Aviva Romm, MD, adaptogens typically share three main qualities:
- Balancing Effects: They help stabilize your normal bodily functions and promote homeostasis, which is the body's way of creating a balanced internal environment.
- Non-Specific Action: Adaptogens act in a non-specific way, meaning they can resist a wide array of stressors and have a general, rather than a specific and hyper-targeted, effect.
- Strong Safety Profiles: They generally don't mess around with your body's normal functions and only work as needed to help it adapt to stressful conditions.
Common Types of Adaptogens and Their Uses
More plants and fungi than ever before are getting slapped with the adaptogenic label, but not all of these ingredients will meet the three fundamental criteria of a true adaptogen mentioned above.
You'll find lists of adaptogens ranging anywhere from
25 to
109 different compounds. Here are just a few of the most common examples of true adaptogens:
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)