Adaptogens to Support Summer Stress

Summer flaunts the perfect season to relax, unwind, connect with friends, family and nature, be adventurous… In reality, summer can feel more stressful – we contend with irregular schedules, kids at home, entertaining houseguests on vacay while we work, tourism, traffic and construction. Planning a simple weekend campout ignites extra effort, anxiety, to-dos. Long days, social activities, late nights equals less sleep, more exertion, increased potential for short tempers, irritability, and the inability to enjoy the moment. We know we need to slow down, yet we remain ramped up!

I sense this everywhere. This week on dog beach at Redfish I witnessed a client writing meal plans she doesn’t anticipate implementing for several weeks (she’s still taking reishi daily). Another client double-booked our consult, lamenting her feelings of heaviness, emotional unhinging (and too busy to reorder ashwagandha). I spoke with another single mama struggling with disconnect and guilt, recognizing she cannot do more for her son while “doing it all” (I felt compelled to recommend eleuthero). For one new client transitioning into menopause, I recommended shatavari to help regulate endocrine and adrenal hormones. For a young teacher worrying about how to start the school year while maintaining progress with thyroid hormone balance, I suggested a blend containing ashwagandha, eleuthero, reishi, holy basil and maca.

Still, I fretted over a nutritionally relevant topic! While hiking, I asked my friend for perspective. He immediately responded, “Cordyceps!”

“The only fungi officially classified as an adaptogen. You know it grows on insects, right?”

He replied, “You know there are many species of cordyceps that grow on different bugs, right?”

No, I didn’t. (The two main adaptogenic species are Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militari; the former grows on caterpillars, the latter on grains.)

So, let’s discuss adaptogens to support summer stress. What are adaptogens and why are they important?

The “official” definition of adaptogens, declared by the scientists who have worked to discover how different natural substances help humans adapt to the stress response and challenged by others, encompasses and often-ambiguous list of herbs, roots, and fungi. The “accepted” qualifications involve: 1.) the ability to affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and/or the sympatho-adrenal systems with 2.) broad-ranging effects on these interconnected systems – each with endocrine (hormone) activity.

In palatable terms, adaptogens help balance the nervous system’s stress response and related hormones. Notably, stress affects many hormones in the body: glucocorticoids (like cortisol), with various functions including nutrient metabolism, immune and cardiovascular function; catecholamines, like adrenaline and dopamine; plus, thyroid, growth, reproductive, menstrual, sex, and digestive hormones (like insulin).

Feeling anxious knowing how many hormones are affected by stress? Feeling ready to choose an adaptogen for yourself?

As with all life forms, adaptogens possesses unique characteristics and energetics that affect stress and hormones in various ways. Adaptogens can be stimulating or calming, heating or cooling, moistening or drying, possibly nourishing. Currently, nine botanicals with ample research are “accepted” as adaptogens – 5 or 6 await status, while 10-12 have poor evidence of adaptogenic effects. Considering our life phases, constitutions, type and duration of stressors, symptoms, etc., there is surely an adaptogen for everyone.

But first, focus on the basics! Foundational to alleviating stress is a quality diet, good sleep, healthy lifestyle choices, supportive relationships and (obviously) alleviating stressors in the first place. I believe in you!

(Image courtesy of Cleveland Health Clinic)