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Related: <\/span>Why Gwyneth Paltrow Is Hooked on This Feel-Good Smoothie<\/span> \n\t\t\tTake note: Gwyneth Paltrow has a healthy vice and a craze is sure to follow. According to the actresses\u2019 wellness site, Goop, which showcased the recipe for her go-to a.m. adaptogen smoothie, \u201cGwyneth drinks adaptogens every morning, whether or not she\u2019s detoxing.\u201d \u201cAdaptogens are herbs that help the body adapt to stress,\u201d Jeffrey Morrison, MD, [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to the Cleveland Clinic, a plant qualifies as an adaptogen if it meets three criteria: it is non-toxic in normal doses, it helps your body cope with stress and it allows your body to return to balance.<\/p>\n Soviet physician and scientist Nikolai Lazarev<\/strong> coined the term \u201cadaptogen\u201d in the 1940s, but the practice is far older.<\/p>\n \u201cI always encourage patients to view adaptogens as supportive tools \u2013 not quick fixes,\u201d Uma Naidoo<\/strong> of Massachusetts General Hospital told USA Today. \u201cAnd I stress remembering to prioritize foundational habits like nutrition, sleep, movement and stress management first.\u201d<\/p>\n Adaptogens have been used for thousands of years, dating back to Emperor Shen-Nung<\/strong>, the second of China\u2019s emperors (3500-2600 BC), according to nootropics expert David Tomen<\/strong>. They were a major component of traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine long before Western science took an interest.<\/p>\n There are roughly a dozen adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms that have drawn the most research attention. Each has its own profile of compounds, traditional uses and modern applications. Here\u2019s a closer look at the most studied options.<\/p>\n American Ginseng<\/strong> (Panax quinquefolius<\/em>), a root native to eastern North America, is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a cooling \u201cyin\u201d tonic. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it has anti-inflammatory properties, boosts the nervous system, improves how the body responds to fight-or-flight stimuli, regulates mood and resets dopamine levels.<\/p>\n Asian Ginseng<\/strong> (Panax ginseng<\/em>), from Korea and northeastern China, is one of TCM\u2019s most prized herbs for restoring \u201cqi.\u201d The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes it has been promoted for stress, cognitive function, flu, fatigue, athletic performance, diabetes, aging, asthma and anxiety.<\/p>\n Rhodiola Rosea<\/strong>, a root from arctic and mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, has been used in Scandinavian and Russian folk medicine to combat fatigue and altitude sickness. The NCCIH says it\u2019s promoted for improving athletic performance, mood and cognition, increasing energy and reducing stress. Its key compounds are rosavin and salidroside.<\/p>\n Ashwagandha<\/strong> (Withania somnifera<\/em>) has been central to Ayurvedic medicine for over 3,000 years. The NCCIH attributes its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects to compounds called withanolides. It\u2019s promoted for stress, anxiety, sleep, male infertility and athletic performance.<\/p>\n Bacopa Monnieri<\/strong>, a creeping wetland herb native to India, is a cornerstone of Ayurvedic memory enhancer formulations. According to a 2025 study, it regulates stress response, offers neuroprotective antioxidant benefits, improves cognitive function, enhances memory consolidation and supports calm focus under stress.<\/p>\n Ginkgo Biloba<\/strong>, often called a \u201cliving fossil,\u201d contains glycosides and terpenes that can improve blood circulation, provide antioxidant protection and offer neuroprotective benefits, per the NCCIH.<\/p>\n Related: <\/span>Kick off 2026 With Top Style and Wellness Finds in Our Hot Stuff List<\/span> \n\t\t\tInstead of piling on the pressure to turn January into a month of endlessly checking items off your to-do list, our latest editor-approved Hot Stuff roundup will help you ease into your New Year\u2019s goals. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Eleuthero<\/strong> (Eleutherococcus senticosus<\/em>), also known as Siberian ginseng, has been used to increase energy, reduce stress and boost immune function. Its root contains polysaccharides and eleutherosides with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.<\/p>\n Schisandra<\/strong> (Schisandra chinensis<\/em>), known as the \u201cfive-flavor fruit\u201d in TCM for its sweet, salty, bitter, pungent and sour profile, is best known for its anti-inflammatory benefits and ability to prevent cellular damage, according to Dr. Melissa Young<\/strong>, a functional medicine specialist.<\/p>\n Lemon Balm<\/strong> (Melissa officinalis<\/em>), a calming member of the mint family, has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years. One study notes it contains rosmarinic acid, citral, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, with both anxiolytic and antidepressant properties.<\/p>\n Astragalus<\/strong> (Astragalus membranaceus<\/em>) has been a cornerstone of TCM for over 2,000 years. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, its main therapeutic components are polysaccharides, flavonoids and saponins.<\/p>\n Holy Basil<\/strong> (Ocimum sanctum<\/em>), revered in Ayurveda as \u201cThe Queen of Herbs,\u201d protects organs and tissues against chemical stress and counters metabolic stress through normalization of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid levels, recent research shows.<\/p>\n There are thousands of mushroom varieties, but only about 12 qualify as functional mushrooms \u2014 those whose fruiting bodies and mycelium have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years.<\/p>\n Of those, four stand out for their adaptogenic properties, each targeting a different aspect of stress response and cognitive performance.<\/p>\n Functional mushrooms are easy to add to your diet and pair well with many cooking dishes. They can also be taken as supplements \u2014 particularly those that use the fruiting body.<\/p>\n Adaptogens come in nearly every format imaginable, which makes it easy to integrate them into a daily routine but also easy to overdo. The form you choose can affect potency, absorption and how the herb fits into your lifestyle.<\/p>\n Some people prefer the ritual of brewing a tea or simmering a broth, while others want the convenience of a capsule. Either way, there\u2019s a method for everyone. Just make sure you consult with your doctor first.<\/p>\n Before adding adaptogens to your routine, the regulatory reality is worth understanding. Supplements are not held to the same standards as prescription medications, which means quality and potency can vary widely between brands and even between bottles.<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n \u201cSupplements in general are not highly regulated the way medications and drugs are,\u201d says UCLA Health senior dietitian Dana Ellis Hunnes<\/strong>. \u201cA bottle can say it contains ashwagandha or ginseng, but it\u2019s not regulated by the FDA and may not have the right potency.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\nA List of Adaptogens and Benefits Worth Knowing<\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\nSome Functional Mushrooms Are Also Adaptogenic Herbs<\/h2>\n
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Adaptogens for Stress: How to Take Them<\/h2>\n
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Why You Should Consult a Doctor First<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
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