Adaptogens: The Ancient Herbs Explained, From Root to Capsule

"Adaptogen" is one of the most used words in the herbal supplement world, and one of the least explained. This guide sets out where the word comes from, which plants and mushrooms are usually grouped under it, and how a dried root becomes a standardised capsule. It also explains why you will not see the word used as a promise on our labels.

Where does the word adaptogen come from?

The term was coined in 1947 by the Soviet scientist Nikolai Lazarev and developed in the 1950s and 1960s by Israel Brekhman and colleagues, who studied a number of plants used in Russian and Siberian folk traditions. The word later spread into Western herbal writing and, more recently, into marketing.

Is adaptogen a recognised category in the UK?

No. Adaptogen is not a category in UK food law and it is not an authorised health claim. In Great Britain, a food supplement may only make the health claims listed on the GB nutrition and health claims register, and no claims are authorised for the herbs and mushrooms described below. So we use the word here only to explain what people mean by it. On our product pages we describe each herb by its species, plant part, extract and standardisation.

Herbs and mushrooms usually grouped as adaptogens

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

A shrub in the nightshade family, grown mainly in India. The root has been part of Ayurveda, the traditional system of India, for centuries. Read more in our ashwagandha guide.

Rhodiola rosea

A succulent plant of cold mountain and Arctic regions, also known as roseroot or golden root, with a long history of use in Scandinavian and Russian folk traditions. The root is used.

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng)

A slow-growing root from Korea and north-east China. Red ginseng is root that has been steamed and then dried, which gives it its reddish colour.

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

A thorny shrub from Siberia and north-east Asia, sometimes called Siberian ginseng, though it is not a true ginseng. It was one of the plants in the original Soviet research.

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Also known as tulsi, an aromatic relative of kitchen basil that is widely grown in India, where the leaves are used in teas.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Not a herb but a woody, glossy, shelf-like mushroom with a long history in East Asian traditions, where it is called lingzhi. It is too bitter and tough to cook with, so it is taken as an extract or tea.

From root to capsule: how herbal extracts are made

1. Harvest. The correct plant part is collected: root for ashwagandha, rhodiola and ginseng, fruiting body for reishi.
2. Drying. The material is cleaned and dried so that it can be stored and processed.
3. Extraction. The dried material is soaked in a solvent, usually water, ethanol or a mixture, and what is drawn out is concentrated and dried to a powder.
4. Standardisation. The extract is tested for a marker compound so each batch meets the same specification.
5. Encapsulation. The powder is filled into capsules, such as plant-derived HPMC shells.

Ratios and marker compounds on the label

An extract ratio such as 10:1 means roughly ten parts of dried plant were used to make one part of extract. A standardisation figure tells you how much of a marker compound the extract contains. Each plant has its own markers:

All four come in vegan HPMC capsules with no fillers or binders and are made in the UK. The label serving for each is 1 to 2 capsules daily with a large glass of water; for rhodiola and reishi the label suggests taking them during a meal. See the full range in our Herbal Singles collection.

What to check before you buy

• The Latin species name, not just a common name.
• The plant part used.
• Whether it is an extract or a whole powder, and the ratio if it is an extract.
• The marker compound and its percentage or amount per capsule.
• The amount per capsule and the daily serving.
• Whether the product is a single ingredient or a blend, so you can avoid taking the same herb twice.

Who should check with a doctor or pharmacist first

• You are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding. These herbs are not suitable.
• You are under 18. Our products are not intended for anyone under 18.
• You take any prescription medication or are under medical supervision. This includes medicines for blood pressure, blood sugar, mood, sleep or the thyroid, and blood thinners.
• You have a thyroid, autoimmune or liver condition (especially relevant to ashwagandha).
• You have surgery planned.
• You have a known allergy to mushrooms (relevant to reishi).

Frequently asked questions

Is "adaptogen" a medical term?

No. It is a descriptive term from mid-20th century research and herbal writing. It is not a medical diagnosis, a category in UK food law or an authorised health claim.

Can I take more than one of these herbs?

They are separate products with separate labels. If you take more than one, follow each label, check blends for overlapping ingredients and ask a pharmacist if you take any medication.

Is Korean red ginseng the same as Siberian ginseng?

No. Korean ginseng is Panax ginseng. Siberian ginseng, or eleuthero, is a different plant.

Are these herbal capsules vegan?

Our ashwagandha, rhodiola, Korean red ginseng and reishi capsules all use plant-derived HPMC shells and are suitable for vegans.

This article is general information and is not medical advice. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.