All disease is cell disease and a human being is only as healthy as his or her cells. Luckily, in a world where there's lots of things that can compromise the cell's health, there are also substances that can help it deal. They're called "adaptogens" and they're plant chemicals which, as the name suggests, improve the cell's ability to adapt and enhance what scientists call non-specific resistance, which is a cell's generic response to various stressors.
Adaptogenic molecules are similar to ones found in the body and are able to modify a cell's activity. They are especially able to interact with elements of the sympathetic nervous system. Their similarity to cortisol, adrenaline and other biological stress management molecules allows them to mitigate their impact. Adaptogens are non-toxic, have energizing properties, they're neuro-protective, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant too. They can also help improve cognitive functioning.
One of the most well known of the adaptogenic plants is Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng. Ashwagandha's therapeutic value has been recognized by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine for millennia. It is prized for its anti-aging and rejuvenating properties, as well as its stress management ones. It's been used to improve sexual stamina and it may have anti-cancer effects as well. It has been used by doctors to treat burns and rashes.
You can make your own Ashwagandha healing paste by adding a little powder to some coconut oil and honey. It is great for insomniacs and it has got really neat relaxing properties. If you drink some ashwagandha tea, which is readily available in most health food stores, an hour or so before bedtime you can find yourself falling off to sleep much more quickly.
