Herbs have been used for thousands of years for the treatment of various conditions. However, societal industrialization has increased the desirability and necessity of ingesting the herbal category known as adaptogens. Adaptogens are substances that help the body re-balance itself in cases of stress. The stressors can be physical, mental and emotional. Many herbal stress relievers harbor the quality to protect the body and optimize its function during these taxing times.
Rhodiola
Rhodiola is considered a supreme adaptogen. Rhodiola has been tested against many physical types of stressors, including intense exercise, "Flex" magazine states. Endurance exercise is considered a physical stressor because of the increases in cortisol and free radical production or oxidative stress that it has on the body. The article notes that even while enduring such extreme sports, physical and mental performance is significantly enhanced while taking Rhodiola. The stress hormone, cortisol, was also lower in the Rhodiola-supplemented group. Memory, concentration, motivation and fatigue were all improved while taking Rhodiola in a 400 to 600 mg dose, with a 3 to 4 percent rhodioloside concentration per day. Discuss using Rhodiola with your health-care practitioner before use.
Ginseng
Three different types of ginseng, each of which benefits a variety of conditions, are available. There is also overlap between the variants. The "Journal of Pharmacological Sciences" notes that Panax ginseng, also known as Chinese ginseng, was one of the first clinically used adaptogens. Panax was noted in the 2003 study to blunt the stress response in highly-stressed individuals, such as soldiers and astronauts. The structure of Panax is very similar to that of the stress hormone, cortisol. Its similarity may be attributed to Panax's ability to counter the stress response. The study concluded that Panax is a choice herb for relieving chronic stress.
Ginkgo Biloba
Gingko biloba was also tested in the 2003 "Journal of Pharmacological Sciences" for its role in relieving stress. Ginkgo is familiar to most people for its effects on the mind and ability to improve signs of senility, like memory loss and alertness. The study looked at different types and lengths of stressors to determine how ginkgo and ginseng work differently. Short-term, acute stress changes the body chemistry very differently than the effects of long-term stress. Ginkgo was found to improve the symptoms and effects of acute and short-term stress, such as anxiety and forgetfulness. Ginkgo can interact with many medications, so discuss its use with your doctor before using this herb.
Astragalus
Like Ginseng and Ginko, Astragalus is another herb from the Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, system of healing. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this herb has many bountiful effects on the stress response and its effects on the immune system. As an adaptogen with an abundance of antioxidants, it helps to relieve stress on the macroscopic and microscopic, or cellular level as it protects the tissues from free-radical damage. The immune system is often compromised while under stress and people often become more susceptible to colds. Astragalus is recommended in a standardized extract of 250 to 500 mg, two to three times per day to relieve stress and boost immunity. Astragalus may interact with other medications, so discuss the use of this herb with your doctor in advance.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a traditional remedy that is used for an array of conditions. The form of the herb that is brewed in tea is what people associate with its calming quality. A 2010 "Medical News Today" article indeed notes that chamomile is effective at relieving mild to moderate anxiety. Anxiety, often described as "feeling on edge," is one of the first qualities people attribute to a stressful situation. When tested against a placebo, chamomile had modest anti-panic activity and may be an easy, non-intimidating option for relieving stress.
