They’re edible herbs and roots that lend
themselves to a very Zen school of thinking called phytotherapy: where plants
are utilised for their healing abilities.
Herbalists have long touted adaptogens like
ashwagandha, ginseng, liquorice root, holy basil, and cordyceps as a way to
bolster the adrenal system, which is responsible for releasing a range of
hormones into the body – including cortisol (the stress hormone linked with
weight gain, disrupted sleep, and reduced energy levels, plus bigger problems
like depression and anxiety). Now, the luxury holistic market is starting to
wake up to the healing power of these robust plants.
“Adaptogens usually grow in very stressful
environments and have had to ‘adapt’ in order to flourish,” says Naomi Buff,
the health and wellness guru behind superfood brand Naomi’s Kitchen. “Maca, for
example, grows at a high altitude, whereas rhodiola is found in harsh,
mountainous terrains.
“Their properties of greater resilience and
strength are transferred to us when we consume these nutrient-rich herbs and
roots, such as helping our bodies adapt to stress, whether it be physical,
mental, emotional or environmental.”
Natural healing
Naomi, who has created a very trendy blend of
herbal powders that can be added to smoothies, says adaptogens have been around
for millennia and were traditionally used
for natural healing in Chinese and Ayurvedic cultures. While an ancient man would have foraged for them in the ground, these days, wellness
junkies have a much easier job (you can whizz them up in shakes, take them in
tablet form or glug them on the go in cold-pressed juices and teas; Gwyneth
Paltrow and Donna Karan are reportedly fans).
Adaptogens come in all shapes and sizes and
promise a host of different benefits – so how do you know which one is for you?
Naomi says ginseng is a universal winner: a blanket fixer adaptogen that can
lift the spirits and ward off colds and flu. Ashwaghanda, meanwhile, is the
go-to for easing anxiety (apparently it can suppress stimulatory hormones when
you’re strung out and stressed). Schisandra is a skin-nourishing woody vine
that’s great in winter; it can brighten the most lacklustre of complexions,
with, according to some fans, the added benefit of helping stave off seasonal
affective disorder. You might even improve your stamina in the bedroom with
maca, which Naomi describes as “nature’s Viagra”.
It was during a period of extreme burnout,
four years ago, that Naomi first tuned into adaptogens as a way to treat her
own adrenal fatigue. “At the time, I was already working in wellness, teaching
nutritional cookery workshops in Monaco,” she says. “It wasn’t until my burnout
that I started to use adaptogens seriously and regularly. I included
ashwaganda, maca, reishi and rhodiola in powder form in my smoothies, and holy
basil in capsules.
“These adaptogens really helped my recovery
and they’re now a staple in my diet when I feel exhausted.”
She went on to create an adaptogen-based
superfood blend called ‘I Am Superman’, after seeing “hundreds of women” pass
through her nutritional cookery workshops and “constantly hearing them talk of
four common areas of concern: weight, skin, detox and energy”.
There’s still limited scientific evidence
around adaptogens, but a quick scroll through internet forums shows a cult
following of devotees among the wellness brigade – namely praising them for the
ability to restore balance in the body and mind. It’s also piqued the attention
of Buddha bowl-loving Instagrammers; the hashtag #adaptogens has over 18,000
posts on the app.
Not for everyone
But these potent plants might not be suitable
for everyone.
“There are some groups of people who would be
considered unsuitable for using the adaptogens due to their stimulant effects
on the body, but also if they are taking any medications,” warns Dr. Sarah Brewer, a GP, and medical nutritionist.
If you have high blood pressure or suffer
from heart problems or migraines, she suggests nixing ginseng from your
shopping list. Those prone to insomnia might also find the stimulant effect
keeps them awake at night, particularly if you take them late in the day
(imagine shotting an espresso just before bed). She also advises children and
women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to steer clear altogether.
Before taking any kind of adaptogen, Dr. Brewer suggests you speak with your GP to check that they’re suitable for your
own medical needs.
So now we know about them, and we’ve heard
what they can do, just one question remains: Do we actually need adaptogens as
part of our daily routine?
“Having a well-balanced and healthy diet,
accompanied with exercise, would be ideal before supplementing, however
sometimes the therapeutic levels which may be recommended to help with ailments
such as stress, tiredness, and fatigue may not always be reached with diet
alone, and extra precautions may be needed,” says Hannah Moffitt, a
nutritionist at Holland & Barrett.
“I would never tell someone they need to take
adaptogens,” says Naomi, “but I certainly believe in
their natural healing abilities and have experienced first-hand
how beneficial they [can be] for health.