Some of the most powerful adaptogens include Panax ginseng root, Rhodiola rosea root, Eleutherococcus senticosus root, astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus), ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera L.), and schisandra fruit (Schisandra chinensis)—which I'll discuss in this article.
Panax Ginseng
Ginseng is one well-known adaptogen, and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is considered by many to be the most potent.
One of the most well-known adaptogens, ashwagandha is native to India and Southeast Asia and has been praised for centuries for its abilities to decrease stress, increase energy levels, improve concentration levels, lower cholesterol, and balance blood sugar.
RHODIOLA BENEFITS: SHARPENS THE MIND
When comparing ashwagandha vs. rhodiola, rhodiola is a go-to for those looking to improve overall mental energy. It's so potent that it even enhances energy in people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus): Similar to ginseng, eleuthero relieves stress and fatigue. This adaptogen helps boost immune function as an immune modulator. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea): Rhodiola alleviates symptoms of fatigue, anxiety and depression.
These three are a great combination, as each one serves quite a different purpose. Lion's Mane is great for supporting cognitive health, Ashwagandha is an amazing adaptogen that may support stress and restful sleep, and the Triphala Transcendent Elixir is a digestion tonic.
Why is ashwagandha not advisable for people with autoimmune disorders? In people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system is already overactive. Because ashwagandha can stimulate the immune system, it can rev up your immune system even more, and that can be harmful.
The short answer is: Yes, you can take rhodiola and ashwagandha together, and yes, there are some noteworthy health benefits to doing so.
Ashwagandha and maca are both awesome superfoods that have been used for thousands of years to promote health and wellness. While there are some similarities between the two, ashwagandha is more well-known for reducing stress, while maca is an excellent energy booster.
Rhodiola is an adaptogen that can balance the secretion of cortisol during difficult situations. Rhodiola can support energy levels and optimize concentration in those with adrenal fatigue. Of the 20 different types of Rhodiola plants, only Rhodiola rosea exhibits health benefits and can be classed as an adaptogen.
The long-term safety of ashwagandha is not known. Large doses of ashwagandha might cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting. Rarely, liver problems, including severe liver failure and a need for liver transplantation, might occur.
Adaptogens like holy basil, maca and ashwagandha − Adaptogen herbs help lower cortisol and give your body support against dealing with fatigue and stress. Omega-3 fish oils — Effective at helping lower inflammation, omega-3s balance the ratio of fatty acids in your diet and support brain health.
Most adaptogens can be taken at any time of day, but you might want to use the more sleep-friendly ones, like ashwagandha, in the evening, and the energizing ones, like eleuthero, during the day, recommends Beakley.
What happens if you take too many adaptogens? Taking too many adaptogens may raise your risk of side effects. If you're taking multiple supplements that contain multiple adaptogens or vitamins or if your levels of a particular vitamin or mineral are already high, this could potentially lead to harmful effects.
Adaptogens are herbs that support the body's ability to deal with stress—whether that stress is from anxiety, fatigue, trauma, infection, etc. They are used to strengthen the immune system and increase overall vitality.
Ashwagandha might also interact with supplements that cause sleepiness, like St. John's wort, kava, valerian, and others.
Ashwagandha, because it seems to make the immune system more active, could also interfere with drugs that suppress the immune system. Examples of these drugs include cyclosporine, mycophenolate, tacrolimus, prednisone, and corticosteroids.
The best way to use ashwagandha for increasing Testosterone levels in men is to combine it with other potent Testosterone boosting ingredients like D-AA, Boron, Zinc, Fenugreek etc. & some estrogen blocking/reducing ingredients like Luteolin etc.
You May Experience Digestive Issues
Nausea, stomach irritation, diarrhea, and other digestive issues are possible when taking ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha can increase immune response, so it's recommended that individuals with autoimmune diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, or other conditions) avoid taking ashwagandha [1].
Large doses of ashwagandha have been shown to cause diarrhea and stomach pain. Although ashwagandha can help to improve low thyroid hormone conditions, those with an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism should be more cautious. If your thyroid hormone levels are already too high, ashwagandha may not be for you.
In most cases, there's a reason for the fatigue. It might be allergic rhinitis, anemia, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease (COPD), a bacterial or viral infection, or some other health condition.
Why am I waking up tired? You're most likely waking up tired because of sleep inertia, the natural grogginess you get when you transition from being asleep to awake. It can take 15 minutes to two hours for sleep inertia to dissipate. Coffee, exercise, and morning light exposure can help wake you up faster.