Adaptogen Support Herbs

Adaptogens are defined as medicinal plants that augment resistance to stress, and increase concentration, performance and endurance during fatigue. Certain herbs such as ginseng, Rhodiola, maca, and others are promoted as adaptogens that enhance energy. Although some herbs may increase energy for a few days or weeks, eventually, if used in excess, fatigue may set in.

Adaptogen herb questions:
Q. What's the difference, if any, between a tonic and an adaptogen herb? The impression I get is that all adaptogens are tonics, but all tonics are not necessarily adaptogens. For example, horny goat weed herb is a tonic, but is not usually referred to as an adaptogen; Ginseng on the other hand is said to be both a tonic and an adaptogen. So what's the difference?

A. I guess each herbal expert will have their own thoughts on this issue. In my opinion, the terms are arbitrary. I really don't like the term adaptogen since I really don't know what is means exactly. Originally, the term adaptogen was defined by Russians as an herb having by an ability to affect the hypothalamic-adrenal axis in such a way as to improve the body's response to stress. Ginseng, apparently falls into this category, but many other plants from other parts of the world, such as Maca from South America, could do much the same thing. As to the term tonic, Chinese doctors often use it in terms of an herb that increase energy and endurance. In my opinion, Horny goat weed could be considered either a tonic or an adaptogen, but I prefer not using either term. I think like a Westerner, and I use words that I am comfortable with, such as 'energy' or 'mood' or 'alertness' or 'motivation' etc. Horny goat weed increases energy and sexual motivation, and I am comfortable with using these words. It also depends on dosage. Too little horny goat weed may not do much, and too high a dose of horny goat weed, by causing insomnia, could lead to fatigue.