Understanding the Emerging Trend - The Natural Anti-Stress Effects of Adaptogens
Urban life is fast-paced, inevitably confronting a variety of challenges and difficulties daily. When pressures from work, family responsibilities, and health issues pile up, it not only impacts mental health but also, in the long run, physical well-being, leading to fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and a weakened immune system. While there are many suggestions for managing stress, adaptogens—a natural health concept most widely adopted in Europe—are widely used. The concept of adaptogens, first introduced in the 1960s¹, refers to a group of natural plant extracts. These plants, many of which grow in harsh environments and possess a rich nutritional profile to withstand the forces of nature, can effectively regulate our neuroendocrine system, helping us better manage and resist various stresses. This can accelerate recovery from stress-induced damage, provide fatigue-fighting energy, and enable us to maintain mental clarity and physical health despite stress and challenges.
While the term "adaptogen" may be unfamiliar to Hong Kong residents, many well-known Chinese herbal medicines actually possess adaptogenic properties. Common plants with adaptogenic properties include ginseng, rhodiola rosea, astragalus root, American ginseng, and cordyceps. These plants have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, and modern scientific research has confirmed that they enhance the body's ability to adapt to the environment and avoid injury, with positive effects on improving sleep, enhancing physical strength, boosting immunity, and enhancing cognitive function.
Main functions of adaptogens
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Immune Support:
Enhance immunity by increasing immune cell activity
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Boosts Energy and Vitality:
Helps fight fatigue and improve physical endurance, giving you the energy to tackle everyday challenges
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Improve cognitive function:
Enhance cognitive function, memory, and concentration
With increasing awareness of mental health issues in recent years, adaptogens have garnered increasing attention and favor, finding widespread application in a wide range of fields, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, and personal care products. Their benefits range from combating fatigue and boosting immunity to addressing skin problems caused by stress or environmental factors. While adaptogens are effective in restoring the body's natural healing abilities, long-term health requires a combination of relaxation, exercise, and the right foods.
¹ Panossian AG, Efferth T, Shikov AN, Pozharitskaya ON, Kuchta K, Mukherjee PK, Banerjee S, Heinrich M, Wu W, Guo DA, Wagner H. Evolution of the adaptogenic concept from traditional use to medical systems: Pharmacology of stress- and aging-related diseases. Med Res Rev. 2021 Jan;41(1):630-703. doi: 10.1002/med.21743. Epub 2020 Oct 25. PMID: 33103257; PMCID: PMC7756641.
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