What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are plant- and herbal-based substances that help your body “adapt” to (or, in other words, protect against) various stressors.

Now, wait a minute. Isn’t nature relaxing? Why would you need adaptogens, then?

Well, yes, this study found a correlation between time spent in nature and reduced cortisol (i.e., the stress hormone) levels.

But if you plan to be super physically active — e.g., conquering summits, mountain biking, swimming, and skiing — you’re putting your body through great physical stress.

This, in turn, may cause mental fatigue. And that can be dangerous.

Imagine if you lost focus and brushed up against a poisonous plant (e.g., poison hemlock and manchineel) while hiking!

Bottom line? Adaptogens could help your body better cope with the outdoors’s unique physical and mental stressors.

Which adaptogens should you bring?

There are three noteworthy adaptogens.

#1: Ashwagandha

While Ashwagandha is best known for reducing stress and anxiety, that’s not why you should bring it along on your outdoor trip.

Instead, what we’re more interested in is its physical performance-enhancing ability.

Take, for instance, this 2012 study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.

Researchers found that Ashwagandha supplementation increased participants’ force production in the lower back (by 15.4%) and quadriceps (by 21.5%) after 30 days — without an exercise program.

Another 2012 study published in the same journal also found a statistically significant increase in VO2 max and time to fatigue on the VO2 max (a good marker of cardiovascular fitness) in elite cyclists given Ashwagandha supplementation over eight weeks.

#2: Rhodiola Rosea

A potent anti-fatigue adaptogen that may keep you safe from outdoor threats.

According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, participants who supplemented with Rhodiola Rosea extract for four weeks reported shortened reaction time and total response time than those in the placebo group.

Bonus: Rhodiola Rosea could also help you escape threats (e.g., snakes and alligators).

A 2009 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that participants who took a high dose of Rhodiola Rosea could run faster than those who got a placebo.

#3: North American ginseng

 The last thing you want is to run out of steam halfway through a hiking trail or kayaking in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by unfriendly-looking marshy land.

Thankfully, research shows that American ginseng could help fight fatigue and increase maximal oxygen consumption, improving physical endurance.

And the cherry on top?

North American ginseng is also known to be an immune modulator. That means it could protect you against common viral respiratory infections such as colds and flu (those camping sites and outdoor lodges can get pretty crowded, i.e., germs-filled, especially during the holiday season!)

Gear up for your next outdoor adventure

Spontaneity can be exhilarating.

But expecting your body to transition seamlessly from a typical 8-to-5 day to one jam-packed with exploring and physical activity in general … just isn’t realistic.

That’s why you need adaptogens.

And if you’re looking for high-quality North American ginseng, we know exactly where you can get them. Right here on Grace Mountain.

FYI, we’ve got everything from ginseng slices (enjoy on the go!) to teabags (sip while you explore) — so you can choose whichever best suits your preferences.