5 Adaptogenic Herbs Alleviate Stress and Anxiety Holistically

Uncovering the world of adaptogens

Herbs provide a natural way to relieve stress. Valentina_G/Shutterstock

Often, when the going gets tough, we stress. It’s natural and essential for survival, but not all stress is good. Finding the balance between harmful and beneficial stress is essential for our long-term well-being. So how can we modulate our stress response and have it work for us?

Summary of Key Points

• Stress and anxiety are natural responses to demanding situations, but when they become overwhelming, they can negatively affect a person’s physical and mental health.
• Adaptogens are compounds used for centuries in traditional medicine to help the body adapt to stress and restore balance. They are known for reducing the harmful effects of stress on the body and mind.
• Adaptogenic herbs, including ashwagandha, Rhodiola rosea, ginseng, holy basil, and licorice root, contain compounds that modulate the body’s stress response and regulate cortisol levels.
• Stress is a holistic mind-body condition. Adaptogenic herbs work via multiple layers and mechanisms spanning from mind to body.

Everyone is familiar with stress and anxiety in one way or another, and we all know what stress feels like, even though it can be hard to articulate. Students feel stressed when a homework deadline is approaching, parents feel it when taking care of their children and paying for rent, workers feel stressed when bearing too much responsibility, and so on.

The good news is that the body is designed to cope with stress, which is commonly defined as the body’s reaction to a perceived internal or external threat or pressure.