Adaptogen Support Herbs |
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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. |
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