The ABC of adaptogens and why they are a wellness trend: mushrooms, herbs and roots used for centuries in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine good for anxious times

Ginseng, holy basil and reishi mushrooms are all examples of adaptogens, used by Ayurvedic healers to restore vitality and in Chinese medicine as qi tonics

Adaptogens are believed to benefit the whole body, to increase resistance to stress and relieve conditions such as asthma, diabetes, insomnia and intestinal gas

Reading Time:5 minutes

Reishi mushrooms - known as lingzhi in China - are a form of adaptogen, plant-based substances used in traditional medicine and set to become a trend in wellness in a new age of anxiety. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 4:15pm, 20 Feb 2022

In these anxious times, it’s no surprise that adaptogens, plant-based substances that help the body adapt to stress and other ailments, are set to lead wellness trends in the coming years.

The Adaptogens – Global Market Outlook (2019-2027) report put their market value at US$9.8 billion in 2019, and said it is expected to reach US$19.2 billion by 2027. American grocery chain Whole Foods Market included adaptogens as one of its top food trend predictions for 2021.

Adaptogens aren’t new. For centuries, these herbs, roots and mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), and Tibetan medicine (sowa rigpa).

What are adaptogens?

“Adaptogens help the body achieve balance and their healing role has been verified over time,” says Grace Yu, a TCM practitioner at Balance Health in Hong Kong.

“Now we’re seeing a revival of these plants, with more people using them to support their health.”

Grace Yu is a TCM practitioner at Balance Health in Hong Kong. Photo: Grace Yu

Many adaptogens are known for their tonifying (energy increasing) effects, benefiting the body’s circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, immune, endocrine and reproductive systems, says naturopathic doctor Melissa Lee at IMI Integrated Medicine Institute in Hong Kong.

“In TCM, they’re known as qi tonics and in Ayurveda, rasayanas – rejuvenating herbs that restore the body’s qi, prana or ‘vitality’ and normalise physical, emotional and spiritual imbalances,” Lee says.