What are adaptogens?
Adaptogens are a class of beneficial plants and herbs that have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to help assist with a variety of different issues. They are currently undergoing a renaissance as more and more people look to natural remedies to deal with the stress of day to day life.
Adaptogens include a wide range of plants that offer a variety of different benefits. Some can be consumed whole, while others are added to teas, made into supplements, or infused into elixirs. If you’re a fan of holistic medicine or natural treatments, there’s a good chance that you’ve already tried an adaptogen or two (maybe even by mistake!).
For those of us who put an emphasis on overall wellness and self-care, adaptogens can be a powerful addition to our daily regimen. When paired with other beneficial self-care activities like meditation, healthy exercise like yoga, and maintaining a wholesome diet, adaptogens can help manage stress levels and bring balance to the body and mind.
Some popular adaptogens:
Reishi - The Reishi mushroom grows in various hot and humid locations throughout Asia. This superfungus has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to help boost the immune system and fight fatigue.
Lion’s Mane - Another mushroom with a history of use throughout Asia, Lion’s Mane has gained a reputation for its positive effects on the body, including helping with anxiety, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and boosting the immune system.
Sea Buckthorn - Also known as the holy fruit of the Himalayas, this mountainous shrub has been used as a natural remedy for thousands of years. Sea Buckthorn is rich in various vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds and helps promote heart health.
Elderberry - One of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world, Elderberry has been used by cultures ranging from the Native Americans to the ancient Egyptians. This antioxidant rich plant has traditionally been used for pain relief, swelling, and inflammation.
Valerian Root - Valerian Root has been used in traditional medicine for over 2000 years. Native to Asia and Europe, this earthy root is known for its sedative effects, and is used to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and assist with sleep.
Adaptogens and CBD:
Adaptogens work on the adrenal system at a molecular level by helping the body regulate its stress response. When responding to either physical or mental stress, our bodies go through a three-step process of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
Adaptogens help our bodies stay in the resistance phase for longer thanks to a stimulating effect that helps prevent exhaustion, allowing us to power through stress instead of collapsing.
In contrast, CBD works on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating a range of body functions, including sleep, mood, appetite, and memory. Early research indicates that CBD, specifically broad spectrum CBD which includes a range of other beneficial cannabinoids, can help with stress, physical discomfort, and others.
It’s not surprising that adaptogens and CBD are often paired together in wellness products – the synergistic effects that they have on the body are profound. Many products combine carefully selected adaptogens with CBD with the goal of targeting a specific issue like insomnia, stress, focus, or physical discomfort.
Adaptogens, CBD, and your wellness routine:
The more research that comes out, the more it becomes clear that adaptogens and CBD are perfect bedfellows for a healthy lifestyle.
Adding adaptogens in concert with CBD can help you do all the things you like doing, the way you like doing them, like getting an early start on yoga with more energy, getting more out of your meditation with increased focus, falling asleep when you want (and stay asleep longer), and doing whatever it is you like doing with greater mental balance.
To experience the maximum effects of pairing adaptogens with CBD, we recommend a Broad Spectrum CBD to get every last molecule of CBD’s mind and body-boosting benefits.
Sources:
Healthline. Adaptogenic Herbs: List, Effectiveness, and Health Benefits.
Healthline. A Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid System.
British Journal of Pharmacology. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects.
