Adaptogen is the term used to describe a group of plants (certain herbs, roots, and medicinal mushrooms) that help your body resist stressors and maintain balance. The effect is subtle, but many people swear by their benefits—and they’ve been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.
Basically, if you’re too amped up, adaptogens are thought to help calm you down; and if you’re feeling run down, they can help elevate your energy. While each adaptogen has slightly different properties and benefits, they all help bring you back to the healthy “middle.”
While more research is needed on adaptogens, some experts believe they work by interacting with part of your body called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathoadrenal system, both of which are involved in the body’s response to stress.
The adaptogens in Ka’Chava include maca root, reishi mushroom, maitake mushroom, shiitake mushroom, and cordyceps mushroom, and they’ve been associated with benefits such as improved immune function, increased exercise stamina, improved mood, and reduced fatigue.