What Are Adaptogens and How Do They Help the Body Manage Stress?

• Adaptogens are herbs and other natural substances that may help the body respond to physical, emotional, and psychological stress.

• They don't simply “turn off” stress or universally lower cortisol. Different adaptogens may affect the stress response in different ways, and the evidence varies by herb, preparation, and outcome.

• Common adaptogens include rhodiola, holy basil, and eleuthero. Research on these herbs is promising in some areas, but they aren't interchangeable, and results from one don't automatically apply to another.

• Understanding the specific herb, what it has been studied for, and what the evidence actually shows can help you make a more informed choice.

Adaptogens are often described as herbs that help your body “adapt to stress,” but that phrase can sound more straightforward than the science actually is. These natural substances are being studied for their potential effects on the body's stress response, yet they don't all work through the same mechanisms or produce the same results. 

So, what does helping your body adapt to stress really mean? Below, we'll look at how the stress response works, why adaptogens such as rhodiola, holy basil, and eleuthero shouldn't be treated as interchangeable, and what current research can and can't tell us about their potential benefits.

What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are a group of herbs and other natural substances traditionally defined by their potential to help the body cope with different kinds of stress and maintain or restore physiological balance.

Under the classic definition, an adaptogen should generally:

• Be relatively non-toxic at normal doses

• Have a broad, non-specific effect on the body's response to different stressors

• Produce a proposed normalizing effect rather than simply pushing one function up or down

That does not mean adaptogens simply switch stress off or universally lower cortisol. Unlike a sedative or stimulant, the idea behind an adaptogen is that it may support the body's ability to respond to stress without simply causing drowsiness or artificially boosting energy.

However, adaptogen is a category, not a guarantee. Rhodiola, holy basil, and eleuthero contain different compounds, have different research histories, and should not be assumed to produce the same effects.

How Might Adaptogens Affect Your Stress Response?

Your stress response involves several connected systems. One of them is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, or HPA, axis, which helps coordinate the body's hormonal response to stress.

Cortisol is part of that system, but it is not inherently harmful. Your body needs cortisol for normal functions, and its levels naturally change throughout the day and in response to different demands.

Researchers are investigating whether certain adaptogens influence parts of the stress response, including:

• HPA-axis signaling, which helps coordinate hormonal responses to stress

• Cortisol-related signaling, although this does not mean every adaptogen simply lowers cortisol

• Other cellular stress-response pathways, which may differ depending on the herb and its active compounds

A 2010 review by Panossian and Wikman described potential links between certain adaptogens and several stress-related pathways, including the HPA axis, cortisol-related signalling, and cellular stress responses. The proposed mechanisms were not identical across all adaptogens, however, and many are still being investigated.

Human studies also show why adaptogens should not be treated as one intervention with one predictable effect. A 2023 systematic review examined 25 randomized controlled trials involving nine adaptogenic herbs, including rhodiola, eleuthero, and holy basil. However, differences in the herbs studied, preparations used, and outcomes measured meant that most could not be combined into a single pooled analysis.

In other words, “helping the body adapt to stress” is not one proven biological switch. Different herbs may influence different stress-related pathways, and the evidence depends on the individual herb, preparation, and outcome being studied.

Which Adaptogens Are Commonly Used for Stress Support?

Several herbs are commonly described as adaptogens and used in supplements marketed for stress support:

Although these herbs are grouped under the broad term “adaptogen,” they are different plants with different traditional uses and compounds. Eleuthero, for example, is sometimes called “Siberian ginseng,” but it is botanically distinct from Panax ginseng.

What Does the Research Say About Adaptogens for Stress?

The evidence varies by ingredient.

• Rhodiola rosea: A 2022 review published in Molecules examined clinical studies of Rhodiola rosea preparations for life-stress symptoms. The authors found encouraging clinical evidence for areas including stress-related fatigue, burnout, and aspects of mental performance, although differences in preparations and study designs make it difficult to apply findings from one product to every rhodiola supplement.

• Holy basil: A review in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine discussed human and experimental research on tulsi and psychological stress. It included a six-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which tulsi was associated with improvements in general stress scores and related symptoms, including exhaustion. However, the broader evidence includes different types of studies, so individual findings should be interpreted in context.

• Eleuthero: A 2025 review in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that the clinical evidence for eleuthero remains difficult to assess with confidence. The authors pointed to substantial differences in study quality and preparations, along with limited standardization of products, as major limitations.

Overall, the evidence supports looking at each adaptogen individually rather than assuming they all produce the same effects. The specific plant, preparation, extract, dose, and outcome being studied can all affect what the evidence can tell us.

How Do Adaptogens Fit Into a Stress-Support Routine?

Adaptogens can be one part of a broader approach to managing stress, but they cannot replace adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, or addressing the sources of ongoing stress where possible.

If you're considering an adaptogen supplement, look beyond the word “adaptogenic” on the label. Check which ingredients are included and how much of each one the formula provides. This can be especially important with proprietary blends that list several ingredients without disclosing their individual amounts.

Natural ingredients can also cause side effects, interact with medications, or be unsuitable during pregnancy or for people with certain health conditions. If you're unsure whether a supplement is appropriate for you, speak with a qualified healthcare professional before taking it.

Adrenal Adapt by Bioligent is one example of a combination formula. It contains the three adaptogens discussed above, rhodiola, holy basil, and eleuthero, alongside calming herbs such as passion flower and lemon balm, as well as magnesium bisglycinate and pantothenic acid. Rather than assuming that a formula with more ingredients is automatically better, consider whether its ingredients and intended use match what you're looking for.

Finding the Right Approach for Your Stress Support

If stress is persistent, severe, or interfering with your sleep, work, relationships, or daily life, a supplement shouldn't be your only response. Talk to a healthcare professional about what may be contributing to it and what support may be appropriate. 

For everyday stress support, Bioligent’s Adrenal Adapt offers a formula built around adaptogens, calming herbs, and supporting nutrients. If you're unsure whether it fits your needs, take the Bioligent Quiz to find a formula matched to your goals.