Adaptogen: helps the person adapt to stressful situations and cope with stress physically, mentally, and emotionally
Adaptogens have an overall tonifying effect and provide benefits within specific organ systems such as the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. They are capable of restoring normal tone and function to the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis and sympatho-adrenal system (SAS). They are generally safe and helps keep proper balance, conserve energy, and improve resistance to stress; thus, they are used to help improve those with poor concentration, sleep disturbance, decreased immune response, and decreased resistance to infections.
Examples:
Aralia californica (spikenard)
Borago officinalis (borage)
Codonopsis pilosula (dang shen, not to be confused with dan shen)
