How to Know Which Adaptogen is Right for You

Adaptogens have been highly praised for their ability to improve everything from immunity to sleep, but how do you know which is best for YOUR unique mind and body? 

Like any other herb, adaptogenic herbs have their own set of qualities. To use a few plants that most of us are familiar with: aloe vera has energetics that are cooling and moistening while ginger is warming. In terms of adaptogens, herbs like Ashwagandha and Tulsi exert a calming effect on your body while plants like Maca and Rhodiola are quite energizing. To make things extra easy for you, we broke down the different adaptogens by Ayurvedic dosha (or constitution) as well as by health concern. 

BY DOSHA:

Grounding Adaptogens for Vata (Air) Dosha:

• Ashwagandha 
• Holy basil (Tulsi)
• Reishi 

Stimulating Adaptogens for Kapha (Earth) Dosha: 

• Rhodiola
• Asian (Panax) ginseng
• Maca

Cooling Adaptogens for Pitta (Fire) Dosha:

• Eleuthero
• Rhodiola
• Bacopa
• Amalaki

Adaptogens for Any Dosha:

• Gotu Kola
• Astragalus
• Schisandra
• Cordyceps
• Licorice

BY NEED:

Adaptogens for Stress:

• Ashwagandha: a well studied herb to help with chronic stress by regulating your cortisol levels 
• Rhodiola: can help manage occasional stress. Note – it’s stimulating in nature so it could keep some people up at night. 
• Mucuna: the extract from this bean is loaded with L-DOPA which is the precursor to dopamine, a mood boosting neurotransmitter.

Adaptogens for Hormone Balance:

• Schisandra: this berry supports proper detoxification of hormones, particularly in your liver
• Shatavari: wonderful for hormonal imbalances ranging from PMS and mood swings to infertility. It’s particularly helpful for women going through menopause
• Cordyceps: restores low sex hormones in women, particularly estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Licorice: this root has an affinity for women’s hormones, balancing estrogen and androgens
• Ashwagandha: boosts testosterone levels, so if you have high androgens (like PCOS) you may want to choose another from this list! It’s also known to support your thyroid, especially when it comes to hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid)

Adaptogens for Anxiety and Depression:

• Ashwagandha: balances cortisol levels which resets your circadian rhythm and promotes restful sleep
• Lion’s Mane: involved in the formation of neurons in your brain
• Turmeric: curcumin in turmeric has anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can reduce neuroinflammation, an underlying cause of depression 
• Schisandra: this berry has been shown to modulate the gut microbiota which we know is directly linked to depression and anxiety via the gut-brain axis

Adaptogens for Fatigue:

• Asian (Panax) ginseng: this stimulating herb gives you an energy boost without any caffeine jitters
• Maca: the invigorating nature of maca helps to improve physical and mental energy levels in a sustained and balanced way
• Eleuthero: as a stimulant, eleuthero boosts energy levels, helps you overcome exhaustion and enhances physical stamina
• Cordyceps: this fungus replenishes your energy at the cellular level, by increasing your body’s production of ATP (what fuels all cellular processes in your body)

Adaptogens for Low Libido:

• Maca: well known for boosting sex drive and also reducing menopausal symptoms
• He shou wu: a potent Traditional Chinese Medicine herb for your reproductive organs that also encourages healthy sperm count
• Adaptogen: while not an herb, this mineral-rich resin helps to improve circulation and libido, particularly in men

Adaptogens for Brain Fog:

• Holy basil (Tulsi): known as a nootropic, tulsi improves memory and cognitive functioning
• Shiitake: the high vitamin B content in shiitake mushrooms help to turn food into useable energy and support your brain function 
• Lion’s mane: nerve growth factors in lion’s man regenerate and protect your brain tissue for enhanced cognitive health
• Gotu kola: this nutritive plant enhances memory, mental clarity, and circulation to your brain 
• Schisandra: improves concentration by boosting blood supply to your brain. It also helps to prevent excess peptide formation which leads to amyloid plaque in your brain.

Our adaptogenic formula, Adrenal Recovery, is a balanced blend of 5 powerhouse adaptogens: Eleuthero, Ashwagandha, Cordyceps, Schisandra, American Ginseng, Rhodiola, and Red Chinese Ginseng. These 5 herbs balance each other out to make for the perfect blend of adaptogenic herbs that suit most constitutions. You can lean on Adrenal Recovery to support your body’s intrinsic resilience, refilling the wells of your deepest reservoirs so that you feel grounded and ready for whatever demands life may bring.