Adaptogens for Stress

An adaptogen is an herb that helps our bodies adapt (hence the name) to all kinds of stresses in our lives, both physical and emotional. 

These herbs are used long-term. Adaptogens can gently help our bodies recover and rebuild after a single physical event, like surgery or an accident. They can also help with more long-term conditions, like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

One of the very best adaptogens is Eleutherococcus senticosus. This free-berried, thorny shrub used to be called Siberian ginseng, even though it isn’t an actual ginseng at all. Now known as eleuthero, it should be a vital part of everyone’s herbal arsenal. 

For hundreds of years, eleuthero has been used as an immune-building herb in Russian folk medicine. In China, it is used as one of the best medicines for insomnia, increasing longevity, improving general health, and restoring memory.

I used it regularly for years to help with my CFS, and I still include it in my dad’s herbal program. He’s 86 years old, still driving, living at home, and a contributing member of his church. 

More on eleuthero next time.