Adaptogenic Herbs & Ayurvedic Traditions

ADAPTOGENIC HERBS have been used in the Ayurvedic tradition for thousands of years to promote and maintain wellness. Modern research has classified Tulsi as an adaptogenic herb.

Adaptogens have been shown to modulate the body’s stress response. Adaptogenic herbs have been referred to by herbalists as rejuvenative herbs, qi tonic herbs, rasayanas or restorative herbs. Adaptogens help the body adapt to environmental, physical and emotional stressors and restore balance.

When life is coming at us fast, adaptogen herbs have a grounding effect. They assist us in handling external stressors – or situations – in a more harmonious way.

Stress can be both good and bad, acute and chronic, physical and emotional. How we react to stress varies from person to person, as well as experience to experience. Through the stress of everyday life, adaptogens may help ground us in taking on what life throws at us. Whether it’s a hectic schedule, challenging relationship, heat or cold, noise, financial worries, high altitudes, air travel, environmental radiation or any number of other stressors, adaptogens help the body adapt.

ADAPTOGEN CLASSIFICATION

According to Dr. David Winston, an expert on Adaptogens, adaptogens must meet 3 speciﬁc criteria:

The substance is relatively non-toxic to the recipient.
It inﬂuences many organs or body systems (non-speciﬁc). Then acts by increasing resistance of the organism to a broad spectrum of adverse biological, chemical, and physical factors.
It helps modulate system function and maintain homeostasis

HOW ADAPTOGENS WORK

Adaptogenic compounds help modulate the stress response. They work to bring the the adrenal system, and stress hormones into balance. Some adaptogens such as Tulsi-Holy Basil may lower cortisol, the stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels and chronic stress can affect every physiological system in your body. Currently there are about 13 agreed upon plants classified as adaptogens. Here are ORGANIC INDIA’S top 4:

TULSI Holy Basil or Tulsi is one of the most powerful herbs alive. The herb was a staple of Hindu mythology and considered sacred by the Indian royalty. Modern science has shown that this distinctive herb is incredibly good for balancing the mind, body and spirit. Tulsi helps the bodily systems adapt, balance and increase resilience.(1)

ASHWAGANDHA One of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic healing used since ancient times for a wide variety of conditions, Ashwagandha is most well-known for its restorative beneﬁts. This adaptogen is traditionally prescribed to help people strengthen their immune system after an illness. (2)

SHATAVARI is a powerful adaptogen traditionally used to support a woman through all phases of life by promoting healthy hormonal and reproductive functions. Shatavari is a powerful building tonic for women and is moisturising for our internal tissues. (3)

AMLA, also known as Amalaki, is India’s traditional superfruit. Amla is abundant in antioxidants, and has one of the highest known natural concentrations of relatively heat stable vitamin C. Amla is the herb of choice when it comes to deep rejuvenation and immune support. (4)

Cohen MM. Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Oct-Dec;5(4):251-9. doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.146554. PMID: 25624701; PMCID: PMC4296439.
Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(5 Suppl):208-13. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9. Epub 2011 Jul 3. PMID: 22754076; PMCID: PMC3252722.
Mahajan S, Avad P, Langade J. Efficacy and Safety of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) Root Extract for Perimenopause: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Int J Womens Health. 2025 Nov 3;17:4057-4073. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S544267. PMID: 41209045; PMCID: PMC12593836.
Gul M, Liu ZW, Iahtisham-Ul-Haq, Rabail R, Faheem F, Walayat N, Nawaz A, Shabbir MA, Munekata PES, Lorenzo JM, Aadil RM. Functional and Nutraceutical Significance of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.): A Review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Apr 22;11(5):816. doi: 10.3390/antiox11050816. PMID: 35624683; PMCID: PMC9137578.