Your Guide to Adaptogens: Everything You Need to Know

In today’s demanding healthcare environment, clinicians and care teams are increasingly seeking integrative tools to support patient resilience and well-being. While stress is an unavoidable part of modern life, adaptogens—botanical agents known for their stress-modulating properties—offer a promising adjunct to conventional care strategies.^[1]

 This guide introduces the clinical relevance of adaptogens, their historical roots, and practical applications for healthcare providers aiming to support patients experiencing occasional stress.

What Are Adaptogens?

 Adaptogens are a class of botanicals and fungi that help the body adapt to occasional physical, emotional, or environmental stressors. To qualify as an adaptogen, a substance must meet three criteria:^[2]

1. It must be non-toxic at normal doses.
2. It must help the body adapt to a broad spectrum of stressors.
3. It must support homeostasis—restoring balance in physiological systems

Though the term “adaptogen” was coined in the 1940s by Soviet scientist Dr. Nikolai Lazarev, these plants have been used for millennia in traditional systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).^[3]

 Their historical use aligns with modern interest in holistic, patient-centered care.

Key Adaptogens

 Below are several notable adaptogens with growing clinical interest:

●      Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an evergreen shrub cultivated in tropical areas of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It’s also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry, and is traditionally used to support occasional stress as well as sleep, female libido, cognition, and mood.*

●      Asian, or Korean, ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a species of flowering plant in the ivy family. It was first discovered over 5,000 years ago in the mountains of Manchuria, China, where it was revered for its array of benefits. Today, it's a favorite for supporting occasional stress, including mental stress.*

●      Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is a flowering plant in the mint family that is grown for its aromatic leaves. Also known as Tulsi, it’s native to the Indian subcontinent and grows throughout Southeast Asia. The plant has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to help address emotional stress and fatigue. As a supplement, it can support concentration, mood, and occasional stress.*

●      Mushrooms: There are eight main types of mushrooms that provide a range of health benefits and are believed to have adaptogenic properties: chaga, cordyceps, lion’s mane, maitake, reishi, royal agaricus, shiitake, and turkey tail.

●      Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), also known as arctic root or golden root, is an herb that grows in the cold, mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. It supports mental energy, occasional stress, stamina, and a healthy mood.* Rhodiola's two main components, rosavins and salidrosides, may help support the body's healthy reaction to circumstantial stress.*

Adding Adaptogen Supplements to a Daily Health Routine

 Adaptogens can be introduced as part of a broader integrative care plan that includes nutrition, sleep hygiene, and stress management techniques.

 It’s important to recommend adaptogen supplements that are lab tested for purity and potency, like BioAdaptogen Ultra.

 BioAdaptogen Ultra is a blend of herbs designed to provide nutritive support during times of occasional stress.* It contains five powerful adaptogens—rhodiola, ashwagandha, korean ginseng, eleuthero, and licorice—that are ideal for patients who need adaptive support without glandulars or cortisol.

Support for Everyday Stress

 Adaptogens offer a compelling option for healthcare providers seeking evidence-informed tools to support patients under occasional stress.

 With a long history of traditional use and growing scientific interest, these botanicals may help bridge the gap between conventional care and holistic wellness—helping your patients live their healthiest and most fulfilling lives.