The Dark Side of Adaptogens

Adaptogens and tonic herbs support a person through stressful circumstances but they aren’t without their dangers. Used for thousands of years in TCM, as Qi tonics, they are view today as a panacea for modern ills like stress and burnout. In this class you’ll how to evaluate adaptogens for your own use.   You’ll discover a few adaptogens you might want to grow in your own apothecary garden. You’ll also discover a few medicinal mushrooms, with adaptogenic and tonic qualities, that you can forage in the temperate zone, and the special techniques necessary to extract all of their benefits. Then in the final module we’ll look at some of the dangers of using adaptogens and how to get the benefit without the curse.       In this module we’ll look at the problems with using adaptogens to recover from chronic stress and over training.  Adaptogens have a dark side and overuse can lead to debilitating fatigue and chronic hormonal and glandular difficulties.  This module looks at some clinical cases where the use of adaptogens exacerbated stress, fatigue, and over work, leading to clinical exhaustion.  Using adaptogens can also mask the symptoms of serious diseases like cancer. Let’s talk about how to use adaptogens safely and what to do before you self-prescribe with adaptogens to increase stamina and energy-levels.  

The missing step in Selye’s model is a time of rest and restoration.  Recovery is possible if periods of rest and restoration are imposed at Phase 2, before exhaustion becomes debilitating.

Step 1: Download the Workbook     

Step 2: Watch the Video

 

OR Listen to the Audio:

 

 

 

Step 3: Download the Slides:   

 

 

 

Action step:

Before you prescribe adaptogens for yourself or a family member for fatigue or stress, ask yourself:

  • Are you or your loved one getting 8 to 9 hours sleep each night?
  • Is there something you can do or adjust that would promote more restful sleep?
  • Is your or your loved one’s digestion optimal?
  • Is there something you can do or adjust that would promote better digestion?

  Simple adjustments that increase digestive fire or improve sleep habits may be a better choice than therapeutic doses of adaptogens for improving stamina and increasing energy as a long term solution.  Adaptogens are a short term solution for sudden increased stress, but using them in the place of rest and recovery can lead to burn out.