Adaptogens

Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms thought to help the body cope with stress and return to balance. Many have been used for centuries in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine as tonics for energy, resilience, and long life.

This page collects all of our adaptogen profiles in one place. New to the idea? Start with our full guide, What Are Adaptogens?, which covers how they’re thought to work, what the research shows, dosing, and safety.

The Ginsengs

• Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng). The classic energy tonic of East Asian medicine and one of the most studied herbal supplements in the world.
• American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). A North American relative, considered gentler and more “cooling” than Korean ginseng in Chinese medicine.

Want to try it the traditional way? See how to make ginseng tea.

Ayurvedic Adaptogens

These herbs come from Ayurvedic medicine, where rejuvenating tonics are called rasayanas.

• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). A root used for stress, sleep, and vitality, with more human trials behind it than most adaptogens.
• Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). Also called tulsi, a sacred plant in India traditionally used to calm the mind.
• Shilajit. A tar-like mineral resin from the Himalayas, used as a tonic for strength and energy.
• Amla (Phyllanthus emblica). The Indian gooseberry, a vitamin C-rich fruit used as a rejuvenating tonic.

Chinese Tonic Herbs

These herbs come from traditional Chinese medicine, where they’re used as tonics to build energy, or qi.

• Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis). The “five-flavor berry,” used for energy, focus, and liver support.
• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus). A root traditionally used to strengthen the body’s defenses and fight fatigue.
• Gynostemma (Gynostemma pentaphyllum). A climbing vine nicknamed “southern ginseng” for its ginseng-like compounds.
• Chinese Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Found in a huge share of Chinese formulas, where it’s used to support energy and balance other herbs.

From South America

• Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii). A root vegetable from the Peruvian Andes, eaten for energy, stamina, and libido. It’s often called a “borderline” adaptogen.
• Suma Root (Hebanthe eriantha). Sold as “Brazilian ginseng,” though it isn’t related to true ginseng.

Adaptogenic Mushrooms

• Reishi. A calming tonic, called the “mushroom of immortality” in Chinese medicine.
• Cordyceps. A fungus used for energy, stamina, and exercise performance.

Browse all our medicinal mushrooms.

Find an Adaptogen by Goal

Traditional use and early research suggest some general patterns:

• Stress and anxiety: ashwagandha and holy basil
• Sleep: ashwagandha and reishi
• Energy and fatigue: Korean ginseng, maca, and schizandra. See also our guide to herbs for adrenal fatigue.
• Focus and memory: schizandra and ginseng. Bacopa and ginkgo biloba aren’t usually called adaptogens but are often used for the same goal.
• Exercise performance: cordyceps and Korean ginseng
• Immune support: astragalus and reishi

For a side-by-side comparison, see the “Adaptogens Compared” section of our adaptogen guide. You can also browse our herbs listed by health condition.

Before You Try One

Adaptogens can cause side effects and interact with medications, including blood thinners, diabetes and blood pressure drugs, thyroid medication, and immunosuppressants. Most haven’t been studied for safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Each profile above has its own safety section, and our adaptogen guide covers who should avoid them. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement.

This page is for general information and isn’t medical advice. See our terms and conditions for the full disclaimer.