Reishi, ashwagandha, eleutherococcus. No alien bacteria or new names for baby characters. These are natural substances that can get the body back in shape. Mushrooms and herbs like no other. “They’re great when you’re trying to help your body deal with stress. And not just before Christmas,” Jiří Pantůček describes in the podcast.
You can find a podcast about adaptogens here:
Their names sound more like tongue twisters. And when you find out that they are adaptogens, you might get even more confused. At the same time, they are herbs and mushrooms, or rather extracts from them. “It is a broad group of herbs that helps to harmonize the organism, the internal environment of the body as a whole,” explains Jiří Pantůček, herbalist and founder of the Green Idea company. “Modern science has been studying them for decades, but they have been used in traditional medicine – that is, in areas where they grow naturally – since time immemorial.”
Everyone is suited to something a little different, and everyone is also suited to a different adaptogen. That’s why sometimes you need to try before you find the one that works for you. You can take the following five as a first signpost when getting to know each other.
Ashwagandha
In India, where it originates, it is one of the rarest herbs and an essential Ayurvedic medicine. In addition to strong adaptogenic effects, it is also an antioxidant. Ashwagandha mainly supports mental health, helps with fatigue and at the same time promotes healthy sleep. It also effectively reduces the level of stress and helps the body cope with anxiety and other difficult situations, reducing the level of the stress hormone cortisol. And apparently it also supports cognitive functions, has a good effect on memory and promotes healthy muscle growth in athletes.
Cordyceps
It has a rather funny Czech name, Chinese caterpillar, and even if you might associate the name on the bottles with the parasitic fungus from the computer game or the hit TV series Last of Us, it is a different species. It comes from the mountainous regions of Tibet, Nepal from China. In addition, this mushroom does not control anyone, it just helps the body to feel better. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used as a source of vitality, strength and energy, reducing fatigue and exhaustion. It has a positive effect on mental and physical performance, and also strengthens bones and cartilage.
Maca
In its full name, the Peruvian cress grows on the slopes of the Andes at high altitudes. Sometimes it is also called Peruvian Viagra, because it is supposed to have a positive effect on sexual health, including libido and fertility support. On the other hand, due to the high content of phytoestrogens, it is also used as a and has a positive effect on severe PMS conditions.
Overall, it supports stress management and increases the body’s resistance to stress and anxiety, it should improve memory and concentration. It is sometimes used by athletes to increase physical performance and is supposed to have a positive effect on the healthy growth of muscle mass, among other things.
Eleutherochus
It is also called devil’s root or Siberian ginseng and is one of the strongest adaptogens. It strengthens the immune system, overall stimulates the immune system and works well even in case of fatigue, exhaustion and helps regeneration. In addition, it helps maintain optimal blood sugar levels and has a positive effect on blood circulation and blood pressure.
If it does not suit you, you can try using classic Chinese ginseng instead. It has similar effects, only instead of the heart and blood, it acts more on the brain, supporting concentration and performance.
Rhodiola
Rosehip is sometimes also called golden root. It grows in the mountains of Northern Europe and Asia and is the one you might grow in your garden, even though this plant is strictly protected. Its influence on mental well-being is significant, it not only helps against fatigue, but should also help fight depression and severe stress.
It is sometimes mentioned as an aid in the fight against obesity and the overall optimal weight achieved. It also improves physical performance and improves heart rate and accelerates regeneration not only after sports. In addition, it has a positive effect on blood circulation and vascular health.
