Adaptogens, the wonder herbs
With an ever-increasing sense of being ‘on’ 24/7 and the ability to receive news — however stressful — it’s natural to feel a little on edge from time to time. But these herbal healers can help
Earlier this year in March, Spoonshot — an AI–Food & Beverage Innovation Intelligence Platform — had presented a paper titled The Growing Role of Adaptogens in Tackling Stress at the Future Food-Tech. The paper, presented by the company’s CEO and co-founder Kishan Vasani, stated that the past year had seen a 30% rise in stress and anxiety levels as a result of the pandemic and the economic recession. Good news is that this increase in stress and anxiety has been driving heightened awareness of adaptogens or adaptogenic substances among people.
In fact, so much is the belief in the potential for adaptogens to help heal anxiety, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, had made a large financial investment late last year into the rapidly growing market. During an interview discussing her daily supplements routine, she had confessed, “Sometimes, ashwagandha makes it into the mix too!”
She also went on to share adaptogenic latte blends with American TV show host, actress and author Oprah Winfrey. Oprah apparently said she wished she’d discovered adaptogenic blends sooner so she could’ve have added them to her infamous list of “favourite things.”
But Meghan is not alone in showering praise for adaptogenic herbs. Actress and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow, actress Kate Hudson, spiritual author Deepak Chopra and Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez are at the forefront of sharing the benefits of these mysterious substances.
SO, WHAT ARE ADAPTOGENS?
Adaptogens are plant-based compounds derived from herbs and roots, which modulate the body’s stress responses, promote healthy immune function and stimulate energy. Even products — including teas, tinctures, edible powders and capsules — that use adaptogenic substances are believed to help in dealing with stress. Aman Puri, who’s the founder of Steadfast Nutrition, believes that today’s hyperactive life has revived their importance of adaptogen. “They are meant to bring us to the middle from the highs and lows of today’s dithery life,” he articulates.
It’s why we use adaptogens, herbs that calm stress, in almost every one of our products. Even with energy, you want it without the jittery aspect. Especially right now, we don’t need to feel more jacked up; we need to feel calmly energetic.
ADAPTOGEN VERSUS HERBS
According to David Hoffman’s book Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practise of Herbal Medicine, an adaptogen is an herb that increases resistance and resilience to stress. But what differentiates them from other herbs is they work in a non-specific way — they don’t only target one system or symptom, but also enable the body in addressing environmental or physical stressors by working with stress-regulating functions in the body. Ironically, though adaptogens are trending only now, they date back to Indian Ayurveda medicine. Karishma Shah, health nutritionist and holistic wellness coach, also reminds us that
adaptogens are well known and utilised in holistic wellness. “Their properties are harnessed for benefits. Today, western medicine has been adapting to this new culture of incorporating adaptogens into their daily lifestyle to cope up with their busy and hectic schedules,
optimise overall wellbeing and improve mental health,” adds Karishma. Soumya B Hegde, nutritionist and fitness expert, says, “Adaptogens are good for physical, mental well-being, improving immunity and relieving depression and anxiety. They act as wellness medicine.”