The Top 6 Adaptogenic Supplements You Should Know About

Ashwagandha: The Stress-Soother and Hormone Balancer

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is one of the most popular adaptogens in the world, which has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda to promote resilience and longevity. Often called "The King of Adaptogens", Ashwagandha is best known for its natural ability to lower cortisol levels (the primary stress marker in the body), which in turn helps your body better manage its response to stress more effectively.

The primary active compound found in Ashwagandha is Withanolides (particularly Withaferin A), which are a type of steroidal lactones that have strong anti-inflammatory characteristics. It also contains Somniferine, Anaferine, and Tropine, which are nitrogen-containing alkaloids that help give it stress-managing properties.

Benefits of Ashwagandha include:

• May reduce feelings of stress and anxiety
• Supports restful sleep and improved mental clarity
• Helps balance hormones, for thyroid and adrenal health in particular
• Can improve muscular strengths, endurance, and muscle recovery time
• Enhances cognitive function and improves focus

Many studies have shows that Aswagandha supplements may reduce cortisol levels by up to 30%, as well as significantly improve sleep quality and stress response. We enhanced our 650mg Organic Ashwagandha capsules with 5mg of Organic Black Pepper, which has been shown to help improve absorption, making the Ashwagandha more bioavailable than otherwise.

Rhodiola Rosea: The Natural Energy Booster

Rhodiola Rosea, alternatively called "Golden Root", thrives in harsh, high-altitude climates, so it is one tough plant. It is best known for its fatigue-fighting properties, and is a go-to adaptogen for people who seek improved mental clarity, stamina, and resilience.

The signature compound found in Rhodiola Rosea is Rosavin, which gives this plant most of it's adaptogenic properties. In addition to that, it also contains Salidroside, Tyrosol, Caffeic Acid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Flavonoids and Proanthocyanidins.

Benefits of Rhodiola Rosea include:

• Increased energy levels and endurance without overstimulation
• Reduced mental fatigue and "brain fog"
• Enhanced mood, and improved focus
• Support for healthy cortisol levels and stress response
• Improved physical performance and recovery

Rhodiola Rosea is ideal for many busy people, such as business professionals, students, athletes, and more. Rhodiola Rosea can offer similar "pick-me-up" effects similar to caffeine, but without the later energy crash often experienced by people who use caffeine for energy support. Rhodiola Rosea is one of the "secret ingredients" in our best-selling Skinny Drops, which have been shown to help people decrease appetite while giving the metabolism a boost.

Holy Basil (Tulsi): The Sacred Herb of Balance

Holy Basil, also called Tulsi, has long been revered in Ayurveda as a sacred herb that supports calming, detoxifying, and immune response. It is often taken in a daily tonic to reduce stress, improve digestion, and boost overall vitality.

Holy Basil contains Eugenol, a potent compound also found in Cloves that has distinct anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It also contains Caryophyllene, which is a terpene that works with CB2 receptors in our bodies to regulate immune response and inflammation. It's also packed with Rosmarinic Acid, Ursolic Acid, Apigenin, Ocimumosides A & Ocimumosides B, as well as other Phytochemicals (like Tannins, Saponins, Camphor and Linalool).

Benefits of Holy Basil include:

• Helps regulate cortisol levels and reduce unfavorable stress responses
• Supports a calm, centered mood
• Works as an antioxidant and provides anti-inflammatory benefits
• Promotes better immune system function
• Aids in digestion and metabolic function

Holy Basil, while often traditionally enjoyed as a tea, is also available in dietary supplements to help the body stay balanced during the stresses of daily life. Holy Basil is one of the star ingredients in our Ayurvedic Complex, which is a synergistic blend of many of the Adaptogens in this list, combined with other beneficial natural ingredients to provide holistic support for overall wellness.

Lion's Man Mushroom: The Brain Boosting Adaptogen

Lion's Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) is a unique adaptogenic mushroom that stands out from the pack due to its potent effects on brain health, memory support, and potentially nerve regeneration. Some often refer to Lion's Mane as a "natural nootropic", due to its observed abilities to help sharpen mental focus, improve clarity, as well as promoting Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) inside the brain.

Lion's Mane contains the compound Hericenones, which is best known for its nootropic abilities and the stimulation of NGF. Additionally it also includes Erinacines, Beta-Glucans, Sterols, Terpenoids, Phenolic Compounds, Amino Acids, and minerals such as Potassium and Zinc.

Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushroom include:

• Enhances memory, focus, and cognitive performance
• Supports mood and emotional regulation
• May promote nerve regeneration and cellular repair in the brain
• Defends against age-related causes of cognitive decline
• Promotes gut health and improved digestion

Whether you're taking Lion's Mane to give your brain a little boost to help with work, studying, or for graceful aging, Lion's Mane can be a must-have in many people's daily supplements stacks. We offer Lion's Mane as an ingredient in many of our daily supplements, but we also offer it in its purest form as Organic Lion's Mane 1,000mg for those who wish to take it by itself in higher concentrations. We also have it available in our Super Mushroom Complex and our Adaptogenic Mushroom 10:1 Extract Gummies.

Maca Root: The Energy and Hormone Harmonizer

Maca Root (Lepidium Meyenii), or sometimes nicknamed "Peruvian Ginseng", is a nutrient-dense adaptogenic root that is native to the Andes Mountains in South America. It is perhaps best known for its abilities to increase energy levels, improve stamina, and increase libido. Maca Root is a powerhouse adaptogen that is beneficial for both men and women alike, helping to regulate hormone balance and improve vitality.

Maca contains some unique fatty acids that have not yet been discovered in any other plant. These are called Macamides and Macaenes, which are the signature compounds found within Maca Root that give it it's beneficial properties. In addition to those unique compounds, Maca also contains Glucosinolates, the alkaloids Lepidiline A and Lepidiline B, Polyphenols, amino acids like Lysine, Arginine, and Phenylalanine, and minerals like Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, and Zinc.

Benefits of Maca Root include:

• Naturally boosts energy levels and increased endurance
• Supports hormonal balance (particularly ideal for those experiencing menopause)
• Enhances libido and reproductive function in men and women
• May help improve mood, increase focus and mental clarity
• Supports fertility and overall reproductive health

Maca Root can be taken daily as a dietary supplement, and is often available in capsule form, like our very own Maca Max 1,500mg.

Cordyceps: The Endurance Enhancer

Cordyceps are an adaptogenic mushroom that has been prized in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine for a long time due to its ability to help increase stamina, improve oxygen utilization, and boost athletic performance. Himalayan Sherpas, who have been highly regarded for their abilities to thrive at extremely high altitudes in the Himalayan Mountains, use it to help them perform in the highly-demanding, low-oxygen environment.

If you've watched the TV series "The Last of Us", you've seen a fictionalized story about Cordyceps that is based loosely on some truths about this rare amazing fungus. Unlike most plants and mushrooms that typically grow in soil, in the wild Cordyceps are parasitic fungi that often grows on host insects by infecting their bodies, and using them as a food source. Cordyceps can often leave the host insect mostly consumed, yet still functioning, which has earned it the unsavory nickname of "Zombie Fungus" by some.

Luckily, that's not how modern Cordyceps are cultivated. Today, modern farming practices have devises methods of growing Cordyceps on vegan substrates like Soy, Rice, etc that do not require it to be attached to a host. This allows it to be grown sustainably while still allowing us to benefit from the Cordyceps natural compounds like cordycepin, adenosine, and polysaccharides.

Benefits of Cordyceps include:

• Increases cellular energy by boosting ATP production
• Enhances oxygen uptake and lung capacity
• Supports endurance and boosts exercise performance
• Helps combat effects of fatigue
• Supports better immune system function and improves resilience

Cordyceps are a favorite supplement for people looking to optimize their physical performance, making it a natural choice for athletes and weekend warriors alike. You can get pure Cordyceps in our Cordyceps Mushroom 1,000mg Capsules.

How to Incorporate Adaptogens Into Your Daily Routine

Adaptogens work best when taken consistently over time. Whether you choose to take them in capsules, powders, gummies, or other formulas, the real key it to find a consistent routine that fits your lifestyle. Many different adaptogens can be combined, and taken together for synergistic effects, even those that provide the same or similar benefits. This is why you'll often find special blends of various adaptogens included in various dietary supplements across our range to support an array of goals such as, supplements for Brain Health, Sleep & Stress support, Immune Health and more.

At World's Best Supplements, we are passionate about helping people achieve balance and increase resilience with our high-quality adaptogenic formulas. Whether you are looking to boost energy, sharpen focus, calm your mind, or better manage stress, our carefully crafted daily supplements are created to support your body's natural ability to adapt and thrive.