Understanding the benefits of adaptogens

Adaptogens for stress and cognitive function

 In a fast-paced world that sees the widely-accepted use of daily multivites and nutritional supplements, you’d have easily considered what special food to consume, just to make living easier or better in some form or way. Everyone’s got their preferred superfood or vitamin supplement that they swear by — but have you ever come across the term adaptogen? Adaptogenic herbs are non-toxic, and fast becoming a buzz term as far as leading trends in nutrition concern.

So what are they, and how can they help you ‘step up’ your experience of day to day life? Adaptogens are herbs which provide a host of homeostatic benefits, to help your body adapt and resist the stresses of everyday life. Some more popular adaptogens - such as ginseng and ashwagandha - have seen centuries of use within Chinese and Ayurvedic cultures. In Australia, adaptogens are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), as herbal pharmaceuticals.

No matter what angle you approach it from, be it an interest in longevity, or overall wellbeing, there’s sure to be an adaptogenic herb to help you achieve your ideal state of bodily and mental performance. Take for example, how this study by Bock et. al. discovers how adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola Rosea have even produced results with improving cognative performance in adults. Of course, Rhodiola Rosea certainly isn’t the only adaptogen available for promoting vitality and wellness in your everyday life. If you’ve been considering the variety of adaptogenic supplements in our catalogue, it might help for you to read on to understand how they might aid you in counteracting the symptoms of stress and muild anxiety  in adults.

 

Understanding the benefits of adaptogens

 

Holy Basil

Also known as tulsi, Holy Basil is used in stir-fried dishes to provide a peppery kick to a meal. Among Eastern medicinal sources, Holy Basil is often referred to as the ‘elixir of life’, due to the health benefits it’s associated with. This is a herb that easily ranks highly among our list of favourite adaptogens, because of how it fits the label so well.

Ginseng

Panax, or Asian Ginseng is easily famed through its reputation as one of the most well-known and recognised adaptogens available. With benefits that include providing a boost to cognitive performance as well as promoting the bodys adaptogen to stress, it’s little wonder why so many health enthusiasts swear by its efficacy.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha is sometimes referred to as Indian Ginseng, and it certainly does share a good amount of recognition as one of the more popular adaptogens available. This adaptogen is produced as a supplement, and is known to general health and wellbeing while reducing mental  fatigue. 

Rhodiola Rosea

Known as Arctic or Golden root, this herb features over 140 active ingredients, with rosavin and salidroside being among the more potent. Rhodiola Rosea has been used over centuries to treat symptoms of mild anxiety and cognitive fatigue . Additionally, when used as a supplement Rhodiola can help to improve cognitive performance. 

Cordyceps 

Few medicinal mushrooms will present the kind of lore that Cordyceps do. Famed especially within Chinese and Tibetan cultures, Cordyceps are known as a treasure within eastern medicinal circles. They are easily the most expensive mushroom in the world; with a kilogram costing up to $20,000. This is in part, due to the fact that they are difficult to cultivate. Cordyceps Sinensis is a parasitic fungus that requires a caterpillar as a host, in order to produce its fruiting body – at high altitudes within the Himalayan ranges.


AusVitality: Helping Everyday Aussies Live their Best Lives

At AusVitality, we always believe in the idea that prevention outweighs any cure — and as a result, believe in preparing our customers with adaptogens that help them counteract the harmful effects of everyday stresses symptoms.  Adaptogens found in Mindlift reduce mental fatigue a background of stress and mild anxiety symptoms and improve cognitive performance and enhanced attention span in adults.