Stress, Fatigue, and Energy. Part 2: about herbs

                                                                                                                                  Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels

January 30, 2021


Do you remember feeling that alive?

Energy that felt it would go on forever?  Sleep that was like floating on a cloud? Awaking hopeful and ready for the day?

Among the many things we have lost in the last year, maybe you have lost some of those things.  Or maybe you had begun to lose them WAY before the pandemic hit us all. 

Life takes a toll.  But maybe the constant stresses of the 2020s takes a bigger toll than our predecessors felt before we started feeding ourselves a constant diet of being on high alert for the next urgent alert.  

In our last AAHH letter, we talked about how simple things like breathing exercises, food choices, adequate sleep, and regular physical activity can decrease the stress signals that interfere with healthy body function.  These are all so much better than turning to medical solutions for stress, but are there any natural medicines to help?  Yes!  Let's talk about adaptogens!

Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are a class of herbal/botanical medicines that support the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and improve resilience to stress.  These have been a part of traditional medicines around the world since long before we knew the connections from pituitary to adrenals.  And their functions are best understood by the constellation of benefits people experience from them, rather than laboratory science (but lab science is good, just not here right now.)  All adaptogens should improve overall resilience to stress, an overall sense of well-being, and better energy for the day.  But their individual profiles vary a lot.  

For example, Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng) is good for people who tend to feel cold, with a low overall level of energy, or who take a long time to recover from an illness; think of older people for example.  On the other hand, American Ginseng may be better for people who "run hot," and was traditionally used in indigenous cultures for respiratory issues, or acute fevers; and also may be useful in diabetes, having been shown to improve endothelial function.  And Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that helps to relax and quiet people who may be anxious, feeling overwhelmed, trouble sleeping because of feeling overwhelmed, or feeling achy. And Schisandra Chinensis is a great adaptogen during menopause, because it tends to turn down the heat while supporting energy, mental acuity and balanced immunity.  

Those are only a few examples of the wonderful field of botanical medicines called adaptogens.  For more details, I suggest that you listen to the terrific podcast episode with Dr. Lise Alschuler and Dr. Andrew Weil discussing adaptogens with Dr. Victoria Maizes, on Body of Wonder 

Body of Wonder, with Dr. Lise Alschuler 

Personally, I have been taking adaptogens regularly for several years, but the choice of adaptogen changes depending on my circumstances, or even the season of the year! If you would like a personalized consultation that would include my assessment of an adaptogen choice for you, I would be delighted!  Just call the office, 803-426-1421, and Gail will listen to your concerns and get you the right appointment type. 

In the meantime, stay well, stay safe!  See you next time. 

 

To your good health,

 

Robert Pendergrast, MD, MPH

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                 
Location: North Augusta, SC 29841, USA

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