Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone.” But it has many functions in your body aside from regulating your body’s stress response.
There are different kinds of stress:
Acute stress: Acute stress happens when you’re in sudden danger within a short period of time. For example, barely avoiding a car accident or being chased by an animal are situations that cause acute stress.
Chronic stress: Chronic (long-term) stress happens when you experience ongoing situations that cause frustration or anxiety. For example, having a difficult or frustrating job or dealing with chronic illness can cause chronic stress.
Traumatic stress: Traumatic stress happens when you experience a life-threatening event that induces fear and a feeling of helplessness. For example, experiencing an extreme weather event, such as a tornado, or experiencing war or sexual assault can cause traumatic stress. In some cases, these events can lead to post traumatic stress disorder. (PTSD).
Your body releases cortisol when you experience any of these types of stress.
When cortisol levels rise, the body's energy goes into handling the stress instead of regulating other bodily functions like the digestive and immune systems.
When Chronic, high levels of Cortisol become a problem:
Cortisol is released after adrenaline, our “fight or flight” hormones, to keep you on high alert. In this state, cortisol triggers the release of glucose (sugar) from your liver for the fast energy needed to fight or flee.
*** Persistent high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) from chronically high levels of Cortisol can cause Type 2 Diabetes.
*** Cortisol helps control how your body uses fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for energy. It helps control our metabolism. Women, in particular, can experience a much lower metabolism than men with chronic stress. This is associated with higher amounts of weight gain which usually shows up in the abdomen.
*** Normal levels of Cortisol decrease inflammation but chronic elevation can lead to increased inflammation.
*** Elevated levels of cortisol can cause high blood pressure, and lower-than-normal levels of cortisol can cause low blood pressure.
*** Cortisol is thought to play a role in our circadian rhythm. Chronically elevated levels can disrupt sleep, the time when our body heals itself.
The Role of Adaptogens from Plants and Mushrooms.
Now, where do adaptogens fit into this intricate process? Adaptogens help balance this stress response system. If you’re stressed (elevated cortisol), an adaptogen will respond by reducing cortisol levels. If you experience chronic fatigue with low cortisol levels, an adaptogen will increase the level of cortisol in your body.
Balancing Cortisol Levels: They support maintaining optimal cortisol levels, preventing them from spiking too high or dropping too low.
Enhancing Stress Tolerance: Adaptogens help us adapt to high levels of cortisol, increasing resilience to various stresses.
Promoting Overall Well-being: Beyond stress management, adaptogens offer a range of benefits, including improved energy levels, enhanced mental clarity, and immune system support.
The Best Adaptogens:
Now, let's explore some of the best adaptogens:
1. Reishi Mushroom: A potent adaptogen, Reishi supports overall well-being, with anti-inflammatory, immune balancing, and antioxidant properties, while promoting relaxation.
2. Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha has a positive effect on the endocrine, nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems by regulating your metabolism and helping you relax. It calms how your brain responds to stress. Ashwagandha offers protection for your cells as an antioxidant and reduces swelling as an anti-inflammatory.
3. The following Adaptogens are in our Benjamin Button Got His Groove Back Tincture:
Rhodiola: Rhodiola alleviates symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Studies show that Rhodiola helps improve performance during stressful situations like at work or during physical activity and can improve cognitive function.
Gotu Kola: Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help improve cognitive function, and lower blood pressure, venous insufficiency, treat wounds and burns.
Foti: With a long history of use in Chinese Medicine for longevity, Foti contains anti-inflammatories, and antioxidants and has been used to regulate blood pressure, diabetes, cognitive function, hair loss, and more.
Reishi: See above
` 4. Tulsi/ Holy Basil: Revered in Ayurvedic medicine Can have a healthy effect on balancing metabolic processes while supporting your body’s response to stress, anxiety, and fatigue. It also supports immune health.
Embracing the Benefits of Adaptogens
Adaptogens offer a natural, holistic, plant-based, and Organic (from Spiral Herbal Remedies) approach to supporting our well-being. Incorporating adaptogens into your daily routine can help you navigate life's ups and downs with greater ease and vitality.
Adaptogens are like a supportive friend for your body's stress response system, helping you maintain balance and resilience during life's challenges. By understanding their role in our physiology, we can harness their power to promote a healthier, more harmonious lifestyle.
Ready to embrace the natural benefits of adaptogens? Explore our range of adaptogen products at Spiral Herbal Remedies by clicking on the links below and start your journey toward better stress management and overall well-being today!
Ashwagandha tincture.
Ashwagandha needs to be extracted for enhanced bioavailability. It is a root, containing chitin which cannot be digested. We extract ours in Brandy which has a delicious, Cognac flavor.
2. Reishi and other Adaptogenic Mushroom Blends: Ours are extracted from wild or outdoor-grown mushrooms that have been double-decocted in both alcohol and water to ensure both the alcohol and water soluble properties have been extracted.
Reishi Maintain: A Reishi and Chaga blend. Chaga is also an adaptogen.
Nerve Blend: A blend of Reishi and Lion's Mane. Lion's Mane is also an adaptogen.
Turkey Tail and Reishi A blend of Reishi and Turkey Tail. Turkey Tail is also an adaptogen.
3. Benjamin Button Got His Groove Back tincture. A blend of Rhodiola, Foti, Gotu Kola, Reishi, and Japanese Knotweed. (Although Japanese Knotweed is not considered an adaptogen it is rich in resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory.)
With increased energy and vitality, there is also an increase in libido.
4. Organic Tulsi - Holy Basil is available by the ounce in our shop for use as a tea.
Use the code ADAPTOGENS for 10% off your next order in the shop or online at spiralherbalremedies.com
We are located at 810 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.
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