Adaptogens & The Nervous System

Good health depends on having a healthy, balanced nervous system.  For long term good health, it is important to adapt well to life’s daily demands, to avoid excessive anxiety and worry and to have sufficient rest and exercise.  None of us are immune to the pressures of modern life, whether it be work deadlines, the daily commute or just simply never having enough hours in the day.  Adapting well is difficult though, so it is important to constantly work on supporting good health.

When in good health, the body has an wonderful ability to monitor its capacity to adapt to external pressures.  This ability to remain consistent internally whilst adapting internally is called homeostasis.

Adaptogen herbs work in tune with body systems and processes to maintain balance.  Adaptogenic herbs help the body to adapt, adjust and recalibrate itself depending on our emotional and physical surroundings.  They can help calm the nervous system.  They can bring peace to a racing mind in the middle of the night. They can give clarity when life is busy and there is pressure. They can give energy when we are tired.

So, how do adaptogen herbs work?

Adaptogens relieve stress by modulating the release of stress hormones from the adrenal glands. As biological response modifiers (BRMs) adaptogens restore the body’s innate immune function and help the body adapt to different stressors. This gives them preventative and protective as well as curative activity in compromised immunity.