Supplement Highlight: Adaptogenic Herbs

By Erin Peisach, RD, LDN

What if I told you there is a pill that you could take and the pill would know exactly what is wrong with you and exactly how to fix it? Does this sound too good to be true? Well, you may be correct…but the good news is there is a supplement that has similar healing powers. It knows the body’s weaknesses and provides the necessary support to recreate balance. This supplement is called an adaptogenic herb.

Vis consevatrix - or the body’s ability to heal itself - is the core of adaptogenic herbs. These are herbs that support the body in its ever-changing environment, and help it come back to a state of equilibrium. When the body experiences disease, it is said to be out of equilibrium. Adaptogens rejuvenate the body and produce vitality by improving one’s ability to handle stress, reduce pro-inflammatory pathways, and increase anabolic metabolism. There are many different types of adaptogens, each with their own unique features.  Many of them have scientific backing to support their efficacy and safety, plus they have been used by herbalists for thousands of years.

Some of the most commonly used adaptogenic herbs include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Eluethero, Ginseng, and Holy Basil. Products found on the market often contain a blend of different herbs and nutrients, while other products contain standardized doses of an isolated herb. Both forms can be effective, but no matter the form, it is most important to choose a high quality product where the herbs have been grown, handled, used, and stored properly.

At the University of Maryland Integrative Medicine Clinic, we offer Ashwagandha and Rhodiola supplements to our patients. Ashwagandha, which means “strong as a horse,” promotes restful sleep and is often used for a wide range of conditions including arthritis, anxiety, respiratory disorders, and nervous system disorders (2). It can be used on daily basis to broadly support physical and mental health and improve longevity through its anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, immune boosting, and rejuvenating properties. Modern research has shown this herb to protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease (3, 4).

Rhodiola is a Russian herb that has been proven to enhance mental and physical performance. It also improves the immune system, making it a nice remedy for cold and flu prevention and treatment (5). Rhodiola has been used for many other benefits including improved memory function and exercise performance, stress management, sexual enhancement, reducing altitude sickness, and more (5, 6, 7). Some believe it is best used as part of an adaptogenic formulation, such as in the product Vital Adapt by Natura Health.

To learn more or to find out if these herbs may be right for you, talk with your practitioner at the clinic today by calling 410-448-6361.

References:

      1.     Yance, DR. Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism. 2013.

      2.     C. Tohda, T. Kuboyama, K. Komatsu, and A. Vanella, “Indian medicinal plants as antiradicals and DNA cleavage protectors,” Phytomedicine 8(2) 2001:125-32

      3.     S,K. Gupta, I. Mohanty, K.K. Talwar, et al. Cardioprotection from ischemia and reperfusion injury by Withania somnifera: A hemodynamic, biochemical and histopathological assessment. Molecular Cell Biochemistry. 260(1-2). 2004:39-47.

      4.     K. Kaur, G. Rani, N. Widodo, et al. Evaluation of the anti-proliferative and anti-oxidant activities of the leaf extract from in vivo and in vitro raised ashwagandha. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 42(12). 2004:2015-20.

      5.     Brown, Gerbarg, and Ramazanov, “Rhodiola rosea.”

      6.     Darbinyan, Kteyan, Panossian, et al., “Rhodiola rosea in stress-induced fatigue” Abstracts of the Seminar on Rhodiola rosea, June 18, 2002, Mikkeli, Finland.

      7.     K. DeBock, B.O. Eijnde, M. Ramaekers, and P. Hespel, “Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance,” International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 14(3) 2004:298-307.