If you are interested in traditional Chinese medicine, there are several terms that are used that you might not have heard of before. One term that is important to understand is the word “adaptogen.” As it relates to traditional medicine, adaptogens are dried herbs that may help the body to resist fatigue, anxiety, stress and trauma. Essentially, they may help the body adapt to stress.

Bulk herbs and dried herbs offer a cost-effective way to add these herbs to your daily life, but only on the advice of your health care practitioner. There are many dried herbs that claim to be adaptogens:

Eleuthero Root – This root may help to enhance the immune system and decrease inflammation. It also may help to improve endurance and memory.

Licorice Root – Licorice root may help as an expectorant, and is commonly found as an ingredient in contemporary cough syrups. It may also help as an adaptogen for the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands.

Jiaogulan Powder – Jiaogulan may help to lower cholesterol, and may also be of help to combat jet lag and altitude sickness.

Maca Root Powder – Maca may help with energy, fertility and impotence, as well as with memory issues and menopause.

Ginseng – Ginseng is a common adaptogen that may offer antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects. These may be of help to relieve stress in the body.

Ashwagandha Root – This root may help to bring into balance the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal axis and the neuroendocrine system. It may also help to reduce inflammation and to boost the immune system.

Red Reishi Mushrooms – This mushroom is considered in traditional Chinese medicine to be an adaptogen that may help with insomnia, relieving stress, flu, allergies and asthma.

With the help of your health care practitioner, you may want to see if adaptogens are right for you.