Also, adaptogens need to ensure homeostasis, which is an optimal level of all bodily functions. Adaptogens need to make sure to correct different disturbance, and provide your body with the state of equilibrium.

Another thing that all adaptogens have in common is that there’s no specific benefit to them. Instead, they need to ensure a mix of positive effects, which will improve your overall well-being. They need to target different aspects of your health at the same time to arrive at noticeable benefits.

These are the main aspects that adaptogens need to cover. Of course, each one of them offers a different set of effects and benefits, but the convention is that they need to have the properties mentioned above to qualify as adaptogens. Now let’s take a look at turmeric to see whether it can be called an adaptogen.

Turmeric as an Adaptogen

There’s a high chance that you’ve already encountered turmeric in your life. It’s a pretty common additive to many popular foods, such as mustard, cheeses, and curry.

However, what you might not know is that turmeric has a wide application as a natural medicine. The chemical called curcumin is the main reason for this. For a long time, turmeric has been used to treat all kinds of medical conditions and to improve overall health.

It is for this reason that Western Bioscience recognized turmeric for its adaptogen properties. A study revealed that it is a potent herb that can help fight chronic stress and return the body to homeostasis.

Aside from this, there are many health benefits of turmeric. Here are some of them.

Depression relief

One of the best-known and proven benefits is its ability to reduce the symptoms of depression. A major study was conducted to determine whether turmeric was as effective as fluoxetine, an antidepressant marketed as Prozac.

The results showed that turmeric was equally effective as fluoxetine and that the combination of the two could yield even better results in some cases.

Anti-inflammatory properties

The thing that turmeric is best known for within the alternative medicine community is its anti-inflammatory properties.

One study even found that turmeric is far more effective in reducing inflammation than some of the most widely used anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen and aspirin. This alone brings a variety of health benefits and disease prevention.

Anti-cancer properties

A very important function that turmeric may serve is killing cancer cells and preventing the tumor from spreading. Studies done by Cancer Research UK showed that curcumin was effective in fighting cancer cells and could be an important part in recovery from cancer.

The same research showed that it’s most effective against skin, breast, stomach, and bowel cancers. Aside from fighting off cancer, it can prevent it from forming, thanks to it being a powerful antioxidant. 

FINAL VERDICT

From everything you can see here, it’s safe to say that turmeric falls under the category of adaptogens. Its many proven effects can be very beneficial to treating various health conditions and making sure your body stays healthy.

The benefits of turmeric extend beyond just what you see here. It’s a very versatile herb, which is why it may be beneficial to virtually anyone.

Rhodiola rosea

This traditional Chinese herb has been used for centuries to treat various disorders. Among its many effects, a prominent one is the lowering of cortisol.

A very unique benefit that this herb provides is stress relief paired with higher energy levels. This is a rare combination, since most antianxiety medications have sedative properties. Rhodiola rosea is effective in reducing cortisol levels, while at the same time regulating the hormones related to depression and fatigue.

Ashwagandha

This ancient herb has been in use for more than 3,000 years. Ayurveda, one of the oldest medicine systems, advocates its use for treating many health conditions and improving overall quality of life.

A 60-day trial involving 64 people suffering from chronic stress was conducted. At the beginning, various factors contributing to stress were measured, including cortisol levels. The participants were then given a high concentration of Ashwagandha root e​​xtract, and their stress score was measured every 15 days.

On the final day, all of the subjects showed a significant decrease in cortisol levels, along with other contributing factors to stress. This shows that this herb can be very effective at battling chronic stress.

Bacopa

Bacopa monnieri is another herb widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s an adaptogen as well as a nootropic, meaning that it has great potential in increasing mental performance.

Bacosides, the dominant active compounds in this plant, have long been studied for their neuropharmacological effects. Aside from this, it has anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, and other important properties.

A placebo-control study examined the effects of this plant on cortisol levels. After giving one group Bacopa extract, and the other a placebo, researchers found that the Bacopa group showed lower levels of cortisol, as well as a higher ability to perform various mental tasks. 

FINAL VERDICT

As you can see, there are some very powerful adaptogens that can help reduce the levels of cortisol. There are many more out there, these are only some of the most effective ones.

Among other beneficial effects, lowering the levels of cortisol in your body can significantly improve both your physical and mental health. Adaptogens often offer a variety of benefits, so you can choose the ones that fit your needs the best.

Holy basil and Ashwagandha are some of the best-known adaptogens. Or least they’re among the most studied ones, and their proponents not only believe in their benefits but often debate the pros and cons of Holy Basil vs Ashwagandha. To shed some light on these herbs and their effects, let’s dig a bit deeper into what they actually are.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an essential part of Ayurvedic medicine, which is among the oldest medicinal systems in the world. Ashwagandha has been in use for more than 3,000 years now, and is widely considered one of the most powerful herbs.

In the ancient medicine, the plant has had a wide variety of uses. It’s been used as an anti-inflammatory agent, aphrodisiac, diuretic, poison remedy, and for recovering from various diseases. Over time, experts have learned a lot more about it and identified uses that can bring many benefits to our everyday lives.

Antianxiety effects

One of the most common uses of Ashwagandha is as an anti-anxiety herb. A 12-week control study showed that it was more effective in reducing anxiety than a psychotherapy intervention.

Participants of the study were divided into two groups. One was prescribed 300mg of Ashwagandha two times a day, deep breathing exercises, and dietary modifications. The other group received psychotherapy, placebo pills, as well as deep breathing exercises.

After 12 weeks, the anxiety scores of the Ashwagandha group were down by 56.5%. At the same time, the psychotherapy group had a decrease of 30.5%. An important note is that neither groups experienced any side effects. 

Anti-tumor effects

Ashwagandha is an extremely potent antioxidant. As such, there’s some evidence that it can be used for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Another study found that the bioactive compounds in this plant could inhibit cancer cells and prevent them from growing.

This effect applies to some of the world’s most common forms of cancer, such as colon, lung, and breast cancer. Ashwaganda is a powerful immune system booster, so it can both help fight cancer or prevent it from forming in the first place.

Adrenal fatigue relief

Adrenal fatigue is a disorder that is associated with a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, lightheadedness, body aches, and low blood pressure. When your adrenal glands can’t work properly, mostly due to chronic physical and mental stress, you start experiencing the mentioned symptoms.

There is research claiming that Ashwagandha can be an effective method of adrenal fatigue relief. It supports the normal functioning of the adrenal glands and their production of hormones that are essential to a person’s well-being.

These are only some of the main uses of this powerful plant. Other benefits include normalized thyroid hormone levels, increased stamina, and a stronger immune system.

Holy Basil

This is another powerful adaptogenic herb, native to tropical Asia. It has the same rich history as Ashwagandha, and has been used in many medicinal systems, including Greek, Roman, and Ayurvedic medicine.

Another name by which you may recognize it is tulsi. Even though the plant was initially an important part of the Hindu religion, today it serves many health purposes. Here are some of the most important ones.

Adaptability to stress

Similar to Ashwagandha, holy basil has powerful anti-stress effects. A study showed that this herb could lower the levels of stress, as well as prevent it from happening.

In the study, subjects were exposed to continuous stress in order to trigger the production of stress hormones. Administration of holy basil significantly lowered the production of these hormones, therefore reducing the stress response. After a certain period of administration, the subjects noticed the preventative effects of holy basil.

Hypoglycemic effects

Another important benefit of holy basil is the stabilization of glucose levels in patients with diabetes.

In order to prove this effect, scientists conducted an experiment on rats. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed that the herb played an important role of lowering the levels of blood sugar. This is one proof that this plant can be an effective format controlling diabetes.

Heart disease prevention

There is proof that holy basil is an effective method of heart disease prevention. The extract of this plant can be helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, since the compounds in it inhibit myeloperoxidase, which has been implicated in the development of the disease.

Another study proved that this herb successfully normalized the levels of cholesterol. The results showed a significant decrease in LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol), as well as an increase in HDL (the ‘good’ cholesterol).

There are many more benefits of holy basil, which include analgesic properties, liver protection, and protection from stomach ulcers.

FINAL VERDICT

As you can see, the benefits of these adaptogenic herbs are abundant. Even though they share some similar effects, both of them are used to treat a number of health conditions.

For this reason, they’re among the most popular adaptogens out there. If used correctly, they can bring many positive effects to both your mental and physical health. If you need a natural solution to various health conditions, or need a safe way of improving the quality of your life, these herbs can be a good choice.

To understand why adaptogens have caused so much noise and learn if adaptogens real, you need to understand exactly what they are. After providing some insight into these plants, we’ll go over the debate of whether there is evidence of noticeable results.

What are Adaptogens?

The term adaptogen is used to describe a number of plants that are believed to have important medicinal value. Most of these plants have been around for thousands of years, with a long tradition of use in treating various medical conditions.

The main reason why skeptics don’t believe in their abilities is the fact that most of them are associated with ancient religions. Medicinal systems of the Greek, Roman, and Ayurvedic vintage are considered alternative today, which is why not enough attention is paid to them.

Despite this, there are many studies that explored the true potential of adaptogens. Some of them yielded great results, while others failed to do so. For that reason, there’s a debate within the scientific community about whether these plants have true medicinal effects.

Nevertheless, today we have concrete proof that adaptogens can bring many positive changes into the lives of those who use them. From protecting mental and physical health, to increasing many bodily functions, these herbs serve many purposes.

What Adaptogens Do

To give you an idea of everything that they can do, let’s go over some of the best-known proven benefits of adaptogens.

Immune System Boost

An important part of our immune system is located in our gut. As its health deteriorates, so does our immune system. There are many studies that found adaptogens to have a positive effect on the immune system.

For those who face different kinds of physical stress, adaptogens were found to reduce oxidative damage and improve their immune system and physical performance.

Antioxidant properties

Probably the thing that adaptogens are best known for is their powerful antioxidant properties. All of these herbs are full of antioxidants, which on its own bring a wide variety of benefits. The reason for this is that antioxidants neutralize the effects that free radicals have on our body.

This results in prevention of many diseases and easier recovery for those who fell ill. For example, a study showed that adaptogens could help prevent and battle various types of cancer.

Mental health protection

Among the many effects of adaptogens, their positive effects on mental health are among the most documented.

A study found that adaptogens can help the body develop better defense against stress and help the body recover from it faster. It also helps lower the levels of cortisol, the so-called stress hormone, which is very important in managing stress and preventing anxiety disorders.

An important part of their effect on stress is that they don’t have the sedative properties of the most popular antianxiety pharmaceuticals. On the contrary, adaptogens are able to reduce stress and increase energy levels, thereby overcoming fatigue as well.

Nootropic properties

Nootropics are supplements that help enhance your brain function. They can be found in various forms, including plants, liquids, and medication. Some adaptogens are proven to have the properties of nootropics, and thus can help improve various cognitive functions.

For example, a study found that Ashwagandha, one of the most popular adaptogens, has great nootropic potential. It helps protect your brain from environmental neurotoxins, improves memory, and prevents various neurological disorders.

Overall health improvement

Adaptogens are proven to improve the quality of life through numerous health improvements. A major study explored the effects that they had on mental and physical health and discovered some important effects.

Among them, the most important effects are protection form cardiovascular diseases,[1] increased energy and endurance, and faster recovery from various diseases and injuries. A wide variety of healthy compounds found in these herbs help the body maintain great health over time.

FINAL VERDICT

As you can see, there’s evidence that adaptogens can bring many benefits. The proofs mentioned here are only a small portion of all research studies that support this claim.

New studies are being conducted continuously to explore the true potential of these herbs. Some of their effects are confirmed, some more or less confirmed, and there are many more that researchers are looking into. Overall, adaptogens can be an important part of maintaining optimal health, and ensuring your body and brain are performing at their best. 

[1] http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/3/1/188/htm