by Michael Wright,
Stress and fatigue are no strangers to most people, especially in the modern world that we have designed and live in. With more people returning to holistic remedies to address their health challenges, the search for and use of the best adaptogens continues to increase. In this article we’ll look at some of the best adaptogens used to address stress and fatigue and with my experience in the nutraceutical industry, I’ll list my favorite specific supplements to consider using.
Related What Are Adaptogens and Why Are They So Unique As Natural Remedies?
So what exactly is an adaptogen? The specific answer, according to a few Russian scientists who coined the term back in 1958, is that they are substances that “must be innocuous and cause minimal disorders in the physiological functions of an organism, must have a nonspecific action, and usually a normalizing action irrespective of the direction of the pathological state.”
In short, they are substances that help to bring our physiology back into balance. If a person has low energy, the adaptogen helps to increase the person’s energy. If they are anxious or overwhelmed, the adaptogen helps to calm the person down. They are quite unique, complex and wonderful substances.
While there are many incredible adaptogens out there, we’ll look at 5 of the best adaptogens.
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5. Reishi Mushroom
The reishi mushroom is considered to be the “mushroom of immortality” and brings with it numerous benefits, including help for the brain, liver, cardiovascular, immune and respiratory systems. Reishi has been shown to induce cancer cell apoptosis (programmed cell death), thus killing cancer cells. The antioxidants in reishi have also been shown to protect cellular and mitochondrial DNA from free radical damage. Like Lion’s Mane mushroom, reishi is also known to be able to induce the production of nerve growth factor (NGF) and acts as a significant antioxidant to superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, which are two of the most common and most potent free radicals produced in the body. The reishi mushroom product I like the most is from Host Defense, as this is the company of perhaps the world’s most respected mycologist, Paul Stamets.
Buy Host Defense Organic Reishi Powder, Buy Host Defense Organic Reishi Capsules
4. Tulsi (Holy Basil)
In Ayurveda, Holy Basil is known as the Queen of Herbs and is highly regarded for it’s restorative and spiritual properties. Over time, as the Tulsi plant moved from the East to the West, the Christians referred to it as “holy” basil, which is reflected by its Latin name Ocimum “sanctum.”
Chinese Medicine classifies Holy Basil in a similar way to Ayurveda, as a rare and highly sought after “shen tonic,” which means that it restores and nourishes the spirit. The Reishi mushroom described above is also considered a “shen tonic.”
Related The Science of Yin Yoga
In 2015, a study in humans tested the cognitive enhancing benefits holy basil and found that reaction times and error rates improved compared to placebo. Holy Basil has been shown to be effective in improving stress response in the presence of different phytochemical compounds. The first two, ocimumosides A and B, have been identified as anti-stress compounds and may lower blood corticosterone, which is a stress hormone, and create positive physiological changes in the neurotransmitter system of the brain. Holy Basil has also been shown to cleanse and protect the liver.
The Holy Basil product I like the most is from Himalaya. This company is nearly 90 years old and not only uses organic plants grown in India and in their native habitats and soil, they utilize extraction methods that include supercritical CO2 extracts. This is important for extracting certain important compounds that elicit the health-supporting benefits.
Buy Himalaya Organic Holy Basil Tablets
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3. Rhodiola
Rhodiola rosea is a root native to the Eastern half of the globe, most notably in Siberia. Russian athletes and scientists helped to make this root very popular, as it has been studied in the Soviet Union and now Russia for several decades. In fact, many of the studies took place there secretly in the 1970’s and the scientists involved were banned from speaking about or publishing their findings outside of the country. However, some studies and information have leaked and we now know that Rhodiola helped Soviet soldiers stay awake longer, put cosmonauts in a better mood and helped their Olympic athletes increase endurance and reduce recovery times.
A human study done in 2009 by Swedish scientists tested Rhodiola’s effect on people “suffering with stress-related fatigue.” The study found that repeatedly administering rhodiola rosea “exerts an anti-fatigue effect that increases mental performance, particularly the ability to concentrate, and decreases cortisol response to awakening stress in burnout patients with fatigue syndrome.”
Buy Book The Rhodiola Revolution: Transform Your Health With the Herbal Breakthrough of the 21st Century
One particularly fascinating aspect of Rhodiola involves a study that was done on it in accordance with ultraweak photon emission (UPE). In essence, the more biophotons our body holds onto, the more health and vitality we have. The more biophotons we emit from our body, the more energy we are losing and thus, higher UPE has been correlated with a lower overall state of health.
The study compared a group of people using a combination of adaptogens, a placebo and another group using only Rhodiola. The Rhodiola group emitted the least amount of biophotons and was superior even to the combination group. Thus, it is possible that Rhodiola has a unique ability in helping to preserve one’s “light quotient.”
In a recent article, Marine Phytoplankton Benefits: The Ultimate Superfood and Ability to Raise Consciousness?, I talked about biophoton content in phytoplankton and it’s implications in possibly being able to raise consciousness. Could Rhodiola be in the same category?
The product I like the most is from Pure Mountain Botanicals. This product contains a 5% rosavin content which is one of the strongest available. Most companies will contain only a 3% rosavin extract.
Buy Pure Mountain Botanicals Rhodiola Rosea Capsules
2. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is also known as Indian Ginseng and is becoming one of the most popular supplements in the nutraceutical industry. In Sanskrit, Ashwagandha translates to “smell of the horse,” which refers to its unique odor and its ability to increase strength.
It has been shown to stabilize cortisol levels and another study shows how it helps to regulate thyroid levels in patients with “subclinical thyroid patients.”
Ashwagandha was also shown to have strong anti-stress adaptogenic activity and to help the participants improve their resistance towards stress. In other words, ashwaganda helped the participants not feel as stressed out.
Like the Holy Basil product I described above, the product I like for Ashwaganda is also from Himalaya. The extraction method ensures optimal plant compounds for optimal health support.
Buy Himalaya Organic Ashwagandha Caplets
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1. Shilajit
In Ayurveda, Shilajit loosely translates to “destroyer of weakness” and “conqueror of mountains.” Shilajit is a black, thick resin that oozes out of mountains like the Himalayas. The resin is actually the byproduct of broken down organic plant material that contains every amino acid, mineral and many vitamins that the human body needs. One could view the substance as the result of an alchemical process of the mountains breaking down and turning waste into nutrition. In fact, in Ayurveda, Shilajit is known as the ultimate Rasayana (rejuvenator) and one of the best adaptogens.
Shilajit is phenomenal because it is rich in fulvic and humic acids, something I have discussed more in depth in my recent article, Fulvic Acid Benefits: Supplement For Detoxification, Brain, Energy, DNA and RNA Synthesis.
In short, fulvic acids are the strongest electrolytes known and provide electricity (life and energy) to the cell. Shilajit also contains something called dibenzo-α-pyrones, which benefit energy production and mitochondrial health. They also are synergistic with CoQ10 in that they each help each other regenerate and last longer in the body.
Shilajit is also rich in carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, which is beneficial to the body in many ways. The most common uses for shilajit are for enhanced cognitive function, physical endurance, digestive health and overall vitality. In Ayurveda, shilajit and ashwagandha are sometimes suggested for an enhanced effect of these two adaptogens. I like the Lotus Blooming Herbs Authentic Shilajit Resin.
Buy Lotus Blooming Herbs Authentic Shilajit Resin
What are your thoughts on Reishi, Holy Basil, Rhodiola, Ashwaganda and Shilajit? Which one intrigues you the most? Have you used any of them and felt any benefits? Do you know someone who may benefit from using them or from reading this article? My intention is that this information helps you and many others improve your health and happiness in life.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Amazon links above are paid links, which means I earn commission from them at no extra charge to you. Thank you!
Other articles I’ve written on the physical and spiritual benefits of various foods, nutraceuticals and supplements can be seen below.
Marine Phytoplankton Benefits: The Ultimate Superfood and Ability to Raise Consciousness?
Fulvic Acid Benefits: Supplement For Detoxification, Brain, Energy, DNA and RNA Synthesis
Part 1 of 3: The Neurogenesis Regimen-Supplements, Foods and Exercises to Maximize Brain, Memory and Nervous System Health
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This article, 5 of the Best Adaptogens: Supplements For Stress, Fatigue and Stamina, by Michael Wright originally appeared on StillnessintheStorm.com and is free and open source. You have permission to share or republish this article in full so long as attribution to the author and stillnessinthestorm.com
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
The Deep State has weaponized healthcare in the sense that most people never learn the true methods of maintaining their health. The preceding information dispels this false reality that an individual cannot be healthy without the mainstream medical establishment. It offers information that the reader can use to make better choices, which are ultimately the primary contributors to an individual’s health estate. With health autonomy in hand, neuroticism decreases due to not fearing for the communication of diseases, resulting in the liberation of consciousness-energy that can be used to positively contribute to making the world a better place.
Great article! I loooove reishi mushrooms. Anyone interested in this stuff should definitely check out the book Everyday Roots. It teaches you how to replace all the toxic chemicals in your life with healthy organic alternatives. Its completely changed my life and how I feel everyday! :)
Heres a great review of everday roots: http://reggiesreview.weebly.com/everyday-roots-review.html
Keep up the great content!
I have read many of your articles in the last few years and find many to be helpful, thank you. This article on supplements can help but I was wondering if you have any direct supplements or advise on Tremors. I have ET, Essential Tremor which is related to BT, Benign Tremor, which a friend has. It is also related to MS and Parkinsons.
No one has found the cause, only suggestions on symptoms like the external tremors and shaking. Nothing on the internal vibrations that can take over your body.
Anything you can suggest would be gratefully appreciated.
Thank you
Tom Mulrine