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Adaptogen

A plant or fungus that helps the body resist and recover from many kinds of stress, nudging it back toward balance rather than pushing it in one direction.

On the Evidence Gradient

IEstablished mechanismsIIMixed evidenceIIITheoretical biophysicsIVExperiential wellness artFloorClaims we do not make
  • Tier IISome adaptogens reduce fatigue and help sustain attention under stress in clinical trials, with results that vary by plant, extract, and dose.
  • Tier IIIAdaptogens act on the stress-response system (the HPA axis) and on stress-signaling pathways inside cells. A model built largely on laboratory and animal work.
  • Below the floorAn adaptogen works the same way for everyone, at any dose, with no interactions.

Tiers rate claims, not devices. How the Evidence Gradient works

Adaptogen is a word for plants and fungi that help the body handle stress of many kinds, physical, chemical, or emotional, and return to balance afterward. Rather than pushing the body in one direction the way a stimulant or a sedative does, an adaptogen is thought to strengthen the body’s own stress response so it recovers more fully (Panossian & Wikman, 2010).

How Adaptogens Are Thought to Work

The leading model, set out by Alexander Panossian and Georg Wikman, holds that adaptogens act on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the hormonal system that releases cortisol under stress, and on signaling pathways inside cells that protect them during stress. In their review, clinical trials showed an anti-fatigue effect: people taking adaptogens kept up their mental work capacity and attention better under stress and fatigue. Most of the detail about how adaptogens work, including their effects on cortisol and on stress-protective proteins inside cells, comes from laboratory and animal research (Panossian & Wikman, 2010).

Adaptogens in Our Blends

Ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil, astragalus, American ginseng, and reishi are among the adaptogens in our teas, tonics, and tinctures. Each has its own entry in the Ingredients section of the Library.

What to Keep in Mind

  • Adaptogen is a functional category, not a botanical family. Plants grouped under it work in different ways and are studied to different depths.
  • Results depend on the plant, the part used, the extract, and the dose.
  • Some adaptogens interact with medications. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, talk with your healthcare provider first.

References

Panossian, A., & Wikman, G. (2010). Effects of adaptogens on the central nervous system and the molecular mechanisms associated with their stress-protective activity. Pharmaceuticals, 3(1), 188–224. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph3010188

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