Chronic stress and adaptogens

specific plant extracts known as adaptogens can lower stress and excessive cortisol levels, and improve immunity, energy, focus and concentration.

by Julia Busch  — 

Excessive, prolonged stress can raise cortisol, our body’s “fight-or-flight” hormone, to highly toxic levels. Intended for spurts of extra energy in times of physical danger or psychological stress, cortisol has become the “stress hormone,” a silent killer in our high-pressure lifestyle.

High ongoing levels of cortisol in the bloodstream can relentlessly thin bones; attack muscle tissue; create blood sugar imbalances; increase blood pressure and belly fat (which is associated with heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol); hinder memory, mental focus, immunity and inflammatory responses; lower thyroid recovery time; and diminish strength.

On the other hand, specific plant extracts known as adaptogens can lower stress and excessive cortisol levels, and improve immunity, energy, focus and concentration.

During the 1950s, the Russian Academy of Sciences was instructed to develop a “performance enhancer” for their elite performers (e.g., cosmonauts, Olympic athletes, world- class chess players and members of the Bolshoi Ballet). After 45 years of research, 1,200 scientists, 500,000 people and more than 3,000 studies, the term adaptogen was coined. Thousands of plants were decoded.

Ten rare plants that met the criteria of being totally non-toxic to human cells; supporting cells in a healthy state; and acting as a bodily aid to stress adaptation are:

• Eleutherococcus senticosus — Increases immune cell activity by up to 200 percent, counteracts stress, increases productivity and endurance, normalizes body systems.
• Schizandra chinensis — Counteracts stress, increases productivity and combats fatigue.
• Aralia mandshurica — Enhances mental acuity.
• Crataegus oxyacantha (hawthorn berry) — Improves physical and mental endurance; promotes cardiac stability.
• Viburnum sargenti — Anti-aging antioxidant that enhances immunity.
• Glycyrrhiza uralensis — Concentration booster; toxin neutralizer; blood sugar balancer.
• Rhaponticum carthamoides — Promotes faster recovery and improves physical fitness. Primary adaptogen enhancing muscle development, performance, endurance and circulation.
• Sorbus aucuparia — Anti-aging antioxidant that enhances immunity.
• Inonotus obliquus — Supports healthy digestion, immunity.
• Rhodiola rosea — Improves vision, hearing, the nervous system, and mental and physical performance.

Taken sublingually as a synergistic extract, improvement is said to be noted within 10 to 15 minutes.

Other identified adaptogens are used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Julia Busch is president of Anti-Aging Press, Inc., editor of the “So Young™” anti-aging holistic newsletter and author of 10 books. 800-SO-YOUNG (800-769-6864)

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 26, Number 2, April/May 2007.