It’s no big secret that we all want to look and feel our best, and the health and wellness market is flooded with supplements and other remedies promising to help us do just that. While diet and exercise go a long way toward keeping us healthy, the stresses and strains of everyday life can take a toll on our bodies and cause all types of physical issues and a weakened immune system. Fortunately, there are a number of all-natural solutions for combating those stressors and helping our bodies to fight back. One of those wellness solutions is known as adaptogens.
What Are Adaptogens and Immunity?
The term “adaptogen” was first introduced back in 1940 by a scientist from the USSR named N. Lazarevas. He was studying plants and herbs that he found non-specifically enhanced the human body. As more scientists began studying these intriguing herbs, they developed a more specific definition for them. In 1969, a team of scientists defined the four criteria for a plant-originated adaptogen:
- When the body is in stressed states, adaptogens must reduce the harm caused by those stressors.
- Adaptogens must have a positive excitatory effect on the human body.
- Adaptogens must not cause side effects like excessive energy consumption or sleeplessness in the same way that traditional stimulants do.
- Adaptogens must not harm the body.
An American herbal doctor, Yance, recognized three distinct categories of adaptogens: primary adaptogens, secondary adaptogens, and companion adaptogens. Primary adaptogens fit all of the criteria defined by established research. However, the next category, called secondary adaptogens, is consistent with the traditional definition of an adaptogen but they do not match all of the criteria needed to be classified as a primary adaptogen. The third category that Yance defined is a group of plants and herbs that, while not satisfying all of the standards of a primary or secondary adaptogen, were found to greatly enhance the effects of the adaptogen. This new category of herbs was classified as “adaptogen companions” because of the way they act synergistically with the other two categories of adaptogens.
In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “defined an adaptogen as a new kind of metabolic regulator that has been proved to help in environmental adaptation and to prevent external harms.” Having an established agency like the FDA recognizes the concept of an adaptogen served as another step in clarifying its definition.
In a nutshell, adaptogens are natural herbs that help your body adapt to and minimize its reaction to the external stressors in life. These stressors can be environmental, biological (disease), mental, or emotional. By minimizing your body’s reaction to these stressors and helping it to adapt, your immune system is less taxed whenever it has to fight against infection. These herbs have been used around the world, in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and made into tonics for centuries to enhance the human body’s natural resistance to a number of external stress conditions under various environmental factors.
What Are Some Common Adaptogens?
With a little research, you can find adaptogens in all kinds of varied forms and included in many varieties of wellness products. Below is a list of 8 adaptogens that are reported to greatly boost the immune system. We have listed both their immune-boosting qualities and any additional benefits they are known for.
Licorice Root – Soothes the stomach, cleanses the respiratory system, reduces stress, and has been used to protect the skin and teeth.
Ginseng – Enhances strength and stamina.
Maca – Maca is also known to enhance immunity because of its power to fight free radicals.
Ashwagandha – There are two ashwagandha extracts with different benefits:
- KSM-66 aids in reducing food cravings, enhances muscle strength and endurance, and improves memory.
- Sensori helps with short-term memory and helps relieve worry.
Cordyceps – This is actually a fungi that grows on caterpillar larvae in northern India and is known to improve energy.
Bacopa – Improves memory and reduces worry.
Rhodiola – Rhodiola is known to improve mental performance, enhance energy, increase endurance, and reduce fatigue.
Holy Basil – Protects the body from chemical stress when exposed to environmental toxins as well as having the ability to improve memory and mental functions.
Adaptogens and CBD
While CBD is not officially an adaptogen, it shares many of the same characteristics in that it helps to relieve stress while providing a host of other wellness benefits. Both CBD and adaptogens work naturally with your body’s internal systems to regulate stress levels and give you emotional peace of mind. In doing so, your immune system is elevated because your body can better handle the stress of everyday life and other environmental factors that can cause illness. By combining CBD with their favorite adaptogen, wellness seekers have reported great success in enhancing their immunities by giving stress a “one-two-punch.”
Pharmstrong™ – Your Partner in Health!
If you are shopping for a quality CBD product to combine with a holistic wellness solution like one of the adaptogens we’ve listed, then you’ve come to the right place. We carry an extensive inventory of quality, THC free products for all of your CBD needs. When you visit our website, you will find a variety of options to fit into your lifestyle! One great idea would be to include one of our wellness supporting products like CBD Multivitamin Gummy Drops. These drops contain our unparalleled broad-spectrum CBD combined with several beneficial vitamins and minerals to help your daily immunity.
At Pharmstrong™, we offer three easy and convenient ways to shop for your favorite wellness enhancing products:
- You can shop online by browsing our user-friendly website.
- Call us at 1-866-399-5371 and place your order over the phone.
- Visit us in person at our Breckenridge, Colorado shop, where you can meet our knowledgeable CBD professionals and try our one-of-a-kind CBD Sample Bar!
Stay well, be safe, and we look forward to hearing from you soon!