Adaptogens are a category of herbs and mushrooms that help the body adapt to stress and support your general well-being.
Examples of adaptogens are Ashwagandha, Maca, Cordyceps, Ginseng and Rosea rhodiola.
Adaptogens help regulate the systems that are responsible for the body's stress response such as the HPA axis, they help to reduce the production of stress hormones such as cortisol and stimulate the adaptive response.
Each adaptogenic herb also has its own specific properties.
For example, Lion's Mane mushroom supports cognitive functions such as concentration, Ashwagandha contributes to a healthy sleep cycle, Cordyceps mushroom has a beneficial effect on energy levels and endurance and Chaga mushroom is used to support the immune system.
You can take adaptogens in powder form, as a capsule or tincture, but what is important to take into account and how do you choose the best supplement for you?
How do you choose the right adaptogen supplement?
What do you want to achieve?
Identify your specific goal and think about what needs your attention right now.
Do you want to be able to deal better with stress, optimize your energy levels, immune system, sleep cycle, the way you take in information etc.?
If you know what your needs are, then you can look specifically at which adaptogens can support you with that.
Each adaptogen has unique properties and benefits, so do your research and choose what works best for you.
Also take an honest look at your lifestyle. Are you taking good care of yourself? What could be improved and how can you take the right steps to make positive changes for the long term?
Adaptogens can offer powerful support, but they are an addition to your self-care routine, not a miracle remedy that will solve everything for you.
For example, if you make choices that regularly add stress to your life, be conscious of this and create more space for rest and joy.
With this test you will gain more insight into which adaptogens currently suit you best.
Do you have a medical condition?
Always keep any medical condition and possible medication use in mind when you are considering taking a supplement; this also includes adaptogens.
Some adaptogens can interfere with certain medication or can create a response to a specific medical condition.
Always consult with your doctor whether adaptogens are suitable for your situation before you start using them.
Choose quality
Choose high-quality adaptogen supplements from a good brand, made with pure ingredients, without chemical additives, fillers, etc.
Compare brands and do your research. For example, when it comes to medicinal mushrooms, are the products made from the fruiting body, from the mycelium, or is it a combination?
The mycelium is usually grown on grain and because of this contains very few active compounds compared to mushrooms from wild harvest or products made from the fruiting body.
The difference can be significant; mushroom expert Jeff Chilton explains that medicinal mushrooms and extracts made from the fruiting body contain about 30-40% Beta-glucans, while grain-grown mycelium usually consists of a maximum of 7% Beta-glucans.
Beta-glucans contribute to a strong immune system a.o..
Not all products made from mycelium are of low quality, but it makes it more difficult to determine their quality.
When choosing the right adaptogen supplement, also research whether you can find information about customer experiences; are people satisfied, what results do they achieve?
Can you self-dose with the product?
This is so important and is often underestimated because many people think that natural products have a subtle effect, but make no mistake about this; herbs can be very powerful.
Therefore always start with a low dose to see how your body reacts to it.
If it feels right, you can gradually increase the dose if desired.
It is therefore useful to choose an adaptogen supplement that you can dose yourself and build up according to your personal needs.
Do you have specific questions about adaptogens and do you want to know what they can do for you?
During this holistic 1:1 consultation we take an in-depth look into this together.
Always consult with your doctor in case of physical or psychological complaints.
The information provided here is educational in nature and is not a substitute for regular medical care in the form of advice, diagnosis and treatment.
If you are taking medication, have a medical condition, are breastfeeding, etc., please consult with your doctor about whether you can use adaptogens.
Adaptogens are not suitable for use during pregnancy.