How ashwagandha, rhodiola and saffron act on the body’s stress axis, what their active substances are and what clinical studies actually measured.
The term adaptogen dates from the 1940s and comes from the Russian scientist Nikolai Lazarev. He used it for substances that help the body withstand stress, whether physical, emotional or environmental.
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Adrenal glands
In acute stress the HPA axis sets the body in motion and then slows itself down again. With long-term stress that brake gets out of tune. Adaptogens are studied for their influence on exactly that balance.
Registers stress and produces the signalling hormone CRH.
Responds to CRH by producing ACTH.
Produce cortisol: energy and alertness for the short term.
Cortisol slows the axis down again. With chronic stress that brake works less well.
Three plants, each with their own active substances and a growing body of clinical research.
Withanolides act on the HPA axis, on GABA and serotonin signalling and on antioxidant defences. KSM-66® is an extract of the root only, made without alcohol or chemical solvents.
Randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled, 60 days, in adults with stress complaints. Measured on perceived stress and cortisol.
Chandrasekhar et al., 2012The golden root from the cold mountain regions of Europe and Asia. Rosavins and salidroside influence the stress response, neurotransmitters and energy production in the cell.
170 mg a day of standardised extract (3 % rosavins, 1 % salidroside), 14 days, in healthy adults under acute stress. Measured on mental performance and fatigue.
Shevtsov et al., 2003Crocin gives saffron its golden colour, safranal its scent. Both influence serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline and act as antioxidants.
28 mg of affron® a day, 4 weeks, in 128 healthy adults, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Measured on mood, stress and anxiety.
Kell et al., 2017Studies use extracts with a fixed amount of active substance: withanolides in ashwagandha, rosavins and salidroside in rhodiola, crocins and safranal in saffron. We put that amount on the label.
With persistent low mood or exhaustion, professional support and, where needed, medical treatment come first. Adaptogens and saffron are studied as additional support, alongside a healthy lifestyle and in consultation with your doctor or pharmacist.
Saffrasor
Ashwagandha 400 mg (KSM-66)
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