EFFECTS
The Damaging Effects of Stress
Regardless of occupation, family, social and economic situations, everyone has at least some amount of stress in life. Most people find this stress manageable but others, especially those who have long-term stress in their life, can find it overwhelming.
Whenever the human body experiences stress, it releases adrenaline, cortisol and other hormones. These hormones stimulate the stress response, increasing metabolism, suppressing the immune system and devoting all available energy towards brain function and muscle performance. In small doses, this stress response can be highly beneficial by increasing a person’s productivity, strength and more. However, these responses are unsustainable and, in cases of chronic or long-term stress, can actually become harmful to the body. Fatigue, anxiety, and a weakened immune system are just a few of the consequences associated with repeatedly high stress levels.
Most people overcome mild to moderate stress and return to a normal, relaxed state while others struggle with severe or long-lasting stress. Fortunately, researchers have discovered that certain herbs and medicinal mushrooms, known as adaptogens, can alleviate feelings of stress. Chaga mushroom is one of the most powerful adaptogens known. In fact, drinking chaga tea may be one of the most effective, pleasant and natural ways of calming stressful feelings.
Stress
The Stress-Relieving Power of the Adaptogens
Scientists initially defined adaptogens as those substances that improve the “state of non-specific resistance” in stress. This state of non-specific resistance is a physiological condition associated with several disorders affecting the neuroendocrine-immune system. Clinical trials suggest that adaptogens produce an anti-fatigue effect, which increases the capacity to perform mental work even during periods of stress and fatigue. Particularly, adaptogens help develop enhanced attention and tolerance to mental exhaustion.
Adaptogens enhance the body’s natural response to physical, mental, and emotional stress. These amazing natural herbs and mushrooms do not alter mood directly, but instead help the body to function well in a stressful environment. Adaptogens bolster resilience and boost energy to give the body the strength and endurance it needs during stressful events.
Adaptogens normalize body imbalances and support adrenal function to counteract the adverse effects of stress. Chaga’s adaptogenic powers help body cells access more energy and utilize available oxygen more efficiently. Adaptogens also facilitate in the elimination of toxic byproducts resulting from the metabolic processes associated with stress.
Plant adaptogens stimulate the nervous system differently than caffeine and other conventional stimulants. The stimulants in plant adaptogens regulate the metabolism of several individual elements of the stress system. When adaptogens are added, the body still mounts an appropriate response to a stressful event, but the changes in cell function that result are more moderate and have less of an adverse effect on the entire body
Chaga Tea
Drinking Chaga Tea for Stress
Potentially chaga mushrooms are one of the most potent nature’s stress reliever. As adaptogen, chaga mushrooms, chaga tea and chaga extract offer solid benefits and are safe for long-term use. Drinking chaga tea every day can help reduce stress and ease the negative physical, mental and emotional effects of chronic stress. Not only does it help the body to relax, reducing feelings of anxiety and allowing the body time for recovery, but drinking chaga tea also helps to counter many of the adverse effects caused by stress.
With these positive effects on stress levels, and likely more that we do not yet know, it is easy to see how beneficial a cup of chaga tea can be at the end of a long and stressful day.
Science
The Science behind the Stress-Relieving Adaptogens
Russian pharmacologist N.V. Lazarev was the first to use the term ‘adaptogen’ in 1947. Scientists have expanded and fine-tuned the definition of the word as research sheds light on the actions and benefits of adaptogens. Researchers use the word ‘adaptogen’ because it accurately reflects the substance’s unique ability to adapt its function to the body’s specific needs.
Initiated by Russian scientists, the study of adaptogens became a recognized field of biomedical research in the 1960s. By 1984, Russian scientists had performed pharmacological and clinical studies on adaptogenic herbs, including chaga mushroom.
Later research in Germany and Japan verified the Russian findings, laying the groundwork for today’s advanced research into the stress-relieving effects of this herbs and mushrooms.
Nowadays, researchers took one of two main approaches. Some scientists screening the plant kingdom for the presence of adaptogens while other researchers investigating the effects adaptogens have on stress.
