Adaptogens That Actually Work (And What to Skip)

[{"selector":"#anim-e96f45bb-e895-4b87-91ed-550bb33e0389","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2bbd16c5-2ffc-40f8-b543-3c6afafa4cb7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1dcacf9f-478f-4f0b-9e7e-c76e2b68186e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9a38572-73a9-4a7e-80b2-dc4b17b8590a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c31d313c-cd2f-460e-be3e-b90d8133a5eb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by Freepik Written by Navneet Kaur, M.Sc. Nutrition & Dietetics Diet

Introduction

[{"selector":"#anim-b67bd0c1-6d80-472a-9dae-2ac8c35c5a53","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c44dc7fa-23ce-4f61-9b18-70182ec64f22","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c9bf67bb-28bb-426f-b8d9-7413356718a3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a621f23-a25d-4d20-9418-799d5bc93594","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-89a75124-16f7-45da-ac43-e946b701bbe5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-db60fc26-1528-4e95-b7a9-3622a709ea84","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b634dc89-04a7-45da-bd8a-51aaf3e3ab7d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-119.02834%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] What's worth trying, and what's just hype? Let's find out. Photo by Freepik

What Are Adaptogens?

[{"selector":"#anim-24cf51cd-6a3e-441d-b769-17b0775f88f7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8e564b86-aa4b-4ca4-bb9f-598731ebd2a2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.10658%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e66a9796-2699-498e-9ff5-8f3504158d51","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a88c516-5d29-48e1-b95c-1e82379196fa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4f1b4fb2-18da-4165-96f0-bcd988111f7d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-54fccab6-e7cf-4390-a2c5-88ee53fdc284","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(180.50000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7f2243a-0f26-478a-b4b2-75ae0d8dcbeb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Adaptogens are herbs and natural compounds believed to help the body resist physical, emotional, and environmental stress. Photo by Freepik

Ashwagandha

[{"selector":"#anim-b8a08091-a69b-4773-870d-63ce513f7839","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2f1f38f1-436e-4007-a755-847c25b26df4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.28663%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-09370448-391f-4494-aa97-20ddd8a191f2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53faa378-2504-4317-9af5-71c544c1822a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.00001%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b3a4ec3-7105-4e23-b93f-6800b9b4b08f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7315698a-3f0a-4e2b-b6be-e799b13c4be6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.99999%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f1509fd7-465b-4861-af0d-96d1559490c6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Backed by research, ashwagandha may reduce cortisol, improve sleep, and support mood. Photo by Freepik

Rhodiola Rosea

[{"selector":"#anim-84c2e806-9dde-45c5-b7ad-c06139930648","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ecd0187c-659a-45fb-ba4e-003e668321f9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a14c882c-acfb-404d-8021-5a2889742e30","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-397f9bdf-480f-4e00-ba02-63331c80b516","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.58967%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6418478d-00ff-411e-91b8-5122bef33dfc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3edae7da-4ee1-4a2d-b043-76b5542dceb7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.00001%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d79afbdf-e530-4357-8f60-2328dc34368f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.820737881140466%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] It can boost energy and reduce mental fatigue, especially during stressful periods. Photo by Freepik

Holy Basil (Tulsi)

[{"selector":"#anim-b229b708-b71c-4c95-af9d-97434413b818 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a9980123-4102-4a0a-8291-a568fc6563c8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fde3b728-37a3-4813-8236-1cbcf82ede90","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-135ecfaf-44c8-43f3-b923-61a27fd89887","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-979c9234-7bed-4680-ad01-5b2f1ad69bbd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-731f411c-c5c9-4cc8-80db-72a96b35e499","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8550cecb-61e7-4bea-83b1-f49392ca5220","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(180.50000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It may improve focus and reduce anxiety used in Ayurvedic medicine. Photo by Freepik

Ginseng

[{"selector":"#anim-5d1ad222-7ef3-4450-86af-28e9f325b47e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8aeaf55b-463b-45b3-832e-699a5cc6ef12","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-563c8322-f74d-49a1-af44-367ea3d4994e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.87301%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4fed3f2e-32f9-4868-93e9-bf88d65cc3c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae302a34-e20c-4240-abc8-65d75338848e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.84159%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a44aae0-9c32-4a69-8e88-399ce513c769","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c9279f7f-69af-4cf1-bf5f-c16e13687510","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.99999%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Known for boosting energy and immunity, it can be useful in small doses. Photo by Freepik

Maca Root

[{"selector":"#anim-acad3440-3c8d-47a7-bc0e-1bb46075c187 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9270231a-9f84-443c-bfe3-6a6a0ec7c5ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-548a3bcf-60a4-408a-9b43-b5dd34da81cc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.87301%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4776363-e9d5-4e74-9557-239e73d50d61","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3fbbc550-babb-45aa-a405-f7247d09057e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.02564%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd2568a5-1c58-43d8-88f7-bd2e71e52533","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dee82124-26ae-4079-8186-a7b974b290ff","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.99999%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It is popular for hormone balance, though scientific backing is limited. Photo by Freepik

Things to Skip

[{"selector":"#anim-9becd9c0-88c5-4ecc-9ffd-5c1c97a5962e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-362e4dea-36e2-46e5-a157-1b10e9741b68","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e4616e5-d60c-4688-a99e-05424d3c07c6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.87301%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5fe2e6ce-ccc4-4c2a-86d9-f6419ba07e02","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c21c9395-c2d0-4798-8127-f2536823ef46","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.84159%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-be0b0502-2b06-4993-8736-e9dd6f29a100","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0e1ddedc-5774-426f-998e-7a6d0288a263","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.99999%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Avoid unverified adaptogen blends or anything marketed with extreme health claims. Photo by Freepik

Possible Side Effects

[{"selector":"#anim-5e4ae96e-48a7-45b5-963c-ff6e27252edb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dfbb53fc-29b1-44c4-bbdb-e5cf9f630f4e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9167e2a9-defe-4692-bb5e-bba19cc6573a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.87301%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da97d3db-b751-4a4d-8570-c717df6161a1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e7fcf57-1e0c-444f-807d-7e778db17c58","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.02564%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-990bec1b-4398-43f7-ac21-fae4cc792f00","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-537a14ae-420e-4ff9-8d0c-afaa17ade2b1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.99999%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Even natural herbs can interact with medications or cause side effects. Stick to well-studied adaptogens with clinical backing for best results. Photo by Freepik

8 Myths About Weight Loss You Still Believe

[{"selector":"#anim-f0271680-4954-4bdd-9f00-58d967912223","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5722e3d-70a6-4f89-96cb-b57e9b17d7c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-42658fd1-9612-4231-bc13-f2d8655a0168","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f2a63d74-b9ae-415d-9cbc-9dbd993f5e42","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by Freepik Here's what to read next Let's go