In herbal medicine, adaptogens are considered a natural substance that help the body adapt to stress and often exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. Adaptogenic herbs, found in many skincare products and in the form of pills, powders, and teas, provide a multitude of benefits to the skin and body.
“Adaptogens are healing plants that can bring balance and protection to the skin and body through the response mechanism,” says Shannon Esau, director of sales and education at Rhonda Allison Cosmeceuticals. “They primarily support stress receptors in the body via the nervous system. These stress pathways can increase inflammation, which in turn can create several problems in the body and on the skin.”
From stimulating the body, increasing stamina, and calming the body to reducing skin inflammation, speeding up the healing process, and increasing moisture levels in the skin, adaptogenic herbs, such as ashwagandha, holy basil, ginseng, goji berry, gotu kola, maca root, reishi, and turmeric are becoming increasingly popular for their role in boosting overall health.
Do you have a favorite adaptogenic herb or product? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
RELATED STORIES
The ABCs of Herbal Ingredients