The term "adaptogen" indicates a remedy capable of producing a general improvement in psychophysical conditions: increased resistance to fatigue, regulation of metabolic functions, and an increase in cognitive abilities .
This term was coined in 1975 by the Swedish Herbal Institute to conclude some research on rhodiola rosea, to explain the action of this very interesting class of plants against stress.
Ginseng, eleuterococcus, rhodiola rosea and guarana belong to this category, all plants able to act on the immune, endocrine and nervous systems and to improve the body's ability to adapt to stress and climate or seasonal changes. strengthening those systems.
Plant adaptogens and stress
Adaptogenic plants are therefore specific to combat, even for preventive purposes, the negative effects of stress. Always living in a hurry, insufficient rest, and emotional causes give rise to disorders such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability, difficulty concentrating, food imbalances, fatigue and depression. Our body defends itself by producing biological, hormonal, neurovegetative and immune modifications, in order to improve resistance and defense, both from a behavioral and a biological point of view. The adaptation response is highest in young people between the ages of 20-30, while it is halved after the age of 70.
If the reaction of our body is too intense or too prolonged, the physiological equilibrium mechanisms may prove insufficient and cause imbalances of various kinds. The result is a constant sense of fatigue, apathy lacking vitality ; difficulty remembering, poor performance in study and intellectual work, difficulty in maintaining concentration; a constant tension that prevents restful sleep and reduces the ability to recover. Faced with a situation of exhaustion the suitable plant genes are very useful.
Adaptogens and their properties
- Ginseng : tonic and revitalizing properties, able to promote health and longevity. It dates back thousands of years and is the most famous of all the herbs of traditional Chinese medicine. However, its adaptogenic virtues are numerous: it improves the body's response to everyday life stimuli, enhances physical and mental performance, the ability to learn, to pay attention, as it promotes physical resistance to negative environmental factors and resilience.
Ginseng is also considered a "psychotonic", due to its stimulating action on the central nervous system. Studies have shown, in fact, an increase in the electrical activity of the cells of the cerebral cortex, after its intake. It also has aphrodisiac properties and is therefore used successfully to improve sexual performance and male impotence.
- Eleuteococcus: also called Siberian Ginseng, it has tonic, anti-stress and anti-fatigue properties, it is extremely useful in fatigue and convalescence, in tiredness, in sporting activity, indicated in periods of reduced performance and concentration, in fatigue due to surmenage, in the case of tests, it supports the body during weight control treatments or slimming diets.
Eleutherococcus also has immunostimulatory activity, prevents the onset of diseases, increases the immune defenses, indicated in the prophylaxis of influenza, and senescence disorders. By stimulating the adrenal and sexual glands and the nervous system, it is indicated in cases of depression, against states of anxiety caused by psycho-physical exhaustion, because it acts on the mood . Finally it is taken as an aphrodisiac in the treatment of sexual disorders, in impotence and in female frigidity. Useful in cardio-circulatory failure.
- Guarana: Guarana has always been considered by the Indians as an "elixir of long life" ; its importance was high in all the various tribes, since it provided them with food and a remedy to cure diseases, preparing and supporting the organism. Its use was mainly focused on the tonic-stimulating effect and was therefore used to increase physical endurance during hunting.
The presence of caffeine causes an exciting action on the nervous system: greater attention span and mental concentration; reduces the perception of fatigue, because it increases the availability of glucose for muscle activity; causes an increase in heart rate; and finally stimulates the body's metabolism thanks to the presence of enzymes that help dissolve fat molecules and reduce fat deposits. It is a natural slimming that is included in specific diets, aimed at weight reduction.
Discover also the side effects of guarana
- Rhodiola: v iene traditionally used in Siberia by folk medicine to alleviate the feeling of tiredness, thanks to its remarkable adaptogenic property it is an excellent remedy to face the difficulties of life: it is the natural shield in counteracting the pitfalls of both physical and mental stress . It acts on anxiety states and on depression as a sedative, strengthening the body's ability to overcome "critical" periods, causing a sense of general well-being.
The plant, in fact, stimulates the production of serotonin, known as the "wellness" hormone, but at the same time it improves the intellectual and mnemonic capacities and fights insomnia. It is recommended in diets as an adjunct to resist the stimuli of "nervous hunger".
