Not too long ago, humans were under much different external threats than today, such as falling victim to wild beasts. Thankfully, today those stressors are almost non-existent. Yet, our bodies still respond to stress in the same way. The reaction is termed as “fight or flight.” To help us safeguard our survival, the body responds by releasing hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, and others into our blood stream. These hormones create a boost of super-human strength. Though the instant power is useful in crises, those hormones expedite aging and decay!

Rarely do we find ourselves in such extreme situations now. Yet, we react to daily stressors as if they were the equivalent of escaping predators. Consequently, most of us, unknowingly, are under a low-grade stress response all day long and even while we sleep. That is why medicine regards stress as a chronic condition.

Achieving a completely stress-free life may not be realistic, but we can reduce its negative effects significantly! Here’s how.

Taking adaptogenic herbs, or adaptogens for short, heals stress naturally!

What are adaptogens? The key word is “adapt.” In fact, adaptogens were popularized by Russian scientists when they discovered the amazing effects they had on their Olympians. These substances greatly reduced the recovery time during training, therefore, helping the athletes better “adapt” to the extraordinary amount of stress imposed on their bodies. They borrowed this technology from ancient Chinese Physicians who've uses adaptogens for thousands of years in wound healing, stress reduction, mental clarity, alleviating depression, longevity and energy rejuvenation.

To be more specific, adaptogens have the amazing ability to restore the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are the body’s primary mechanism for coping with stress. Sometimes referred to as the body’s batteries, our adrenals supply the pep for our step. When under chronic stress, the adrenals glands work until exhausted. When they are weak, we are weak, and we feel it.

But, nature has provided a solution. The answer is to recharge the adrenal glands with adaptogenic herbs, thereby producing a natural boost of energy. Yes, adaptogens recharge the adrenal glands, thereby giving us more abundant energy!

The miraculous ability to help us “adapt” to stress comes from their unique dual-directive function. Meaning adaptogens neither over-stimulate nor inhibit the body - they help restore homeostasis. Simply put, adaptogens enable the body to better cope, resist, and adapt to stress (be it mental, emotional, physical, or environmental). When supplementing with these herbs, the body still responds to stress appropriately, but the negative effects are minimized. Essentially, these herbs relax the roller coaster highs and lows we experience from the stress response. Such balance translates into deeper relaxation, optimum function, and better health! Though stress itself is not an illness, it has been linked to a myriad of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. In fact, studies have shown that stress is the #1 cause of all disease. The American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that around two-thirds of all trips to the doctor are for stress-related complaints. Stress seriously threatens our health and compromises our immune function.

Here is a little known fact: adaptogens were given to over a half a million people after the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl in 1986 to help offset the negative effects of radiation poisoning and strengthen their immune systems. These herbs have serious healing power to be used in that situation.

As stress levels increase and remain, our acidity rises to dangerous levels too. Stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, contribute to this. In the medical field, some say that these hormones coursing in the blood stream for long periods act like battery acid slowly eating away at our health. High acidity levels increase the risk of diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and a host of other fatal diseases.

In fact, one study has shown the one common characteristic in all types of cancers is a high acidic pH level. The study summarized that no type of cancer can survive in a body with a balanced pH. In humans, the alkaline and acid level is in balance between 7.35 and 7.55. Due to their balancing effect, adaptogens help to normalize the body’s pH level — a biomarker of sound health!

A short list of adaptogenic herbs are: Eleuthero Root (Siberian ginseng), American Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Shitake Mushroom, Miatake Mushroom, Polygonatum Multiflorum, Atractylodes, Cordyceps, and Schisandra Root.

When supplementing with them, it’s best to get a variety so the body can absorb the most benefit. Though herbs come in pills, extracts or powders, ideally the choice is powder or extract. Moreover, I feel it the best results come when the herbs are delivered in a macro-nutrient base. Paring the herbs with foods works well, since the body better metabolizes herbs and other micro-nutrients from a food (balance protein-fat-carbohydrate) delivery system. Thus, a powder form is ideal. Unlike extracts, which are usually held in alcohol, powder adaptogenic formulas mix well with food powders. Most pill forms of herbs tend to be denatured through the manufacturing process, therefore pill form adaptogens, in my opinion, are not ideal.

Make sure that the sources of ingredients are all-natural! Organic is great, but there are numerous sources that are not “certified” organic, yet are equally healthful when all natural. “All natural” is a standard that typically eliminates the harmful chemicals and preservatives, plus the extra cost of producing organic products for farmers and consumers.

Lastly, ensure the product was developed by a qualified herbalist who understands internal medicine, not simply a nutritionist who studied herbs or worse a businessperson looking to make a buck.

I believe we are just scratching the surface in regards to the health benefits of adaptogens. As the Chinese have practiced for thousands of years, adaptogens (tonic herbs) should be part of our daily diet. We here in the west will soon get with the trend as we come to recognize the powerful stress relieving benefits of adaptogens.

If you are interested in more information on adaptogens visit www.shentrition.com. Otherwise, call 866-497-SHEN (7436) or email questions to: Stephen@Shen-Life.com.