Understanding Adaptive Energy+™
While adaptogens all share a few unifying qualities, each one shines in its own unique way. For example, Rhodiola, the robust succulent that weathers the harsh cold of Siberia, helps the body rise above the low energy blues, while Reishi, aka “the Mushroom of Immortality”, was once reserved for royalty given its youth-boosting properties. Adaptogens have stood the test of time because they provide energy in a world that demands so much from us, but let’s unpack the special type of energy these special plants & mushrooms provide.
Most people think of energy in terms of stimulants like caffeine, but adaptogens do things a little differently. Instead of providing a short-term jolt, adaptogens build up your Adaptive Energy+™ reserve—our way of describing that steady, balanced state that allows you to handle life’s ups and downs without getting depleted. Habits that support adaptive energy — like routinely taking adaptogens, going to bed early, and staying nourished- support your body’s normal response to daily stress so that you can feel more confident and capable.
If you’re ready to start building up your Adaptive Energy+™ reserve, let us introduce you to some of our tried-and-true favorites: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). Each of these adaptogens for energy brings something different to the table, and we’ll walk you through why each one earned a spot on our list.
We’ve organized each herbal profile using the traditional materia medica format- think of this like a plant’s resume, covering all of its most notable attributes.
Ginseng (Panax spp.)
Scientific Name/s: Panax ginseng (Asian Ginseng), Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng)
Family: Araliaceae
Taste/Energetics: Hot to cooling (depending on species), bitter, sweet, moistening
Parts Used: Dried root
Ginseng is one of the most well-known adaptogens associated with energy, often called the King of Herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its name roughly translates to “man essence,” reflecting how long it’s been used in traditional practice to support vitality.
There are two main types of Ginseng: Asian and American. Asian Ginseng tends to run warmer and be more stimulating. As a result, it may be too much for people sensitive to stimulation. American Ginseng has a cooler, more restorative quality, and Native Americans and eclectic herbalists used it to support stamina and endurance.
Both varieties of Ginseng boost adaptive energy and impart the clarity and drive needed to get through demanding days. Ginseng is best taken as part of a larger herbal blend, ideally with guidance from a skilled herbalist. (This is part of why we love formulating bars. You get the ability to include multiple herbs in a balanced format without relying on any single one!)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Scientific Name: Withania somnifera
Family: Solanaceae
Taste/Energetics: Bitter, pungent, warm, dry
Parts Used: Dried root
Ashwagandha is a small shrub in the nightshade family (the same fam that gives us tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes!) that thrives in warm climates of India, Africa, and the Mediterranean. This pungent root has been a staple of Ayurveda, the traditional healing system of India, for thousands of years (fun fact: Ayurveda is Sanskrit for “science of life”). Ashwagandha’s name loosely translates to “sweat of the stallion”- a nod to its earthy scent and traditional ties to strength, stamina, and virility. In the Ayurvedic tradition, it’s considered a rasayana, or anything believed to support longevity, mental clarity, and resilience.
Like many adaptogens, Ashwagandha is described as having a balancing effect, helping the body find steadiness and ease and conserving energy in the process. Because of this, incorporating Ashwagandha into your daily routine can look different from person to person—some people add it to a morning routine while others prefer it at night.
Like other roots that literally mine the soil, Ashwagandha naturally contains many minerals like iron- perhaps another reason it is such a fortifying plant companion! Herbalist Donny Yance is known for recommending Ashwagandha as part of a daily adaptogen routine, and it’s one of our favorites too.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Family: Ganodermataceae
Taste/Energetics: Sweet, bitter, pungent, warm
Parts Used: Fruiting body (mushroom) and mycelium (roots)
Species of Ganoderma mushrooms grow in many parts of the world, but it’s Ganoderma lucidum that is prized in Traditional Chinese Medicine as the “Mushroom of Immortality.” Reishi was once reserved for nobility and the wealthy elite because of its youth-boosting, fortifying properties. It was also associated with supporting one’s Shen, roughly translated as spirit, to provide a sense of calm, grounded presence. Luckily for us, Reishi is widely available today and is gentle enough for anyone to use, from young to old and weak to strong. Like other adaptogens, Reishi is best taken regularly rather than as a one-time or short-term fix.
By supporting a calm spirit and youthful heart, Reishi may help people feel less fragile and more proficient through busy or stressful seasons of life.
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
Scientific Name: Asparagus racemosus
Family: Liliaceae
Taste/Energetics: Sweet, bitter, cooling, moistening
Parts Used: Root
Like Ashwagandha, Shatavari root is a prized rasayana in Ayurvedic tradition. Its name loosely translates to “she who has a hundred husbands,” or “a hundred roots,” in reference to its traditional association with fertility and its naturally thick, branching root system.
Shatavari has a soothing, moistening quality and is often associated with nourishing tissues that feel dry or depleted. Think of it like turning a dry, parched landscape into something lush and thriving. That’s the kind of energy Shatavari is associated with: not a jolt, but a deeper kind of replenishment. In herbal practice, herbs used to support fertility are often understood to replenish the body’s energy reserves in deep and meaningful ways (think of all the energy it takes to build another life!).
Each of these adaptogens for energy brings something different to the table. Unlike caffeine, which can give you a quick lift followed by a crash, adaptogens are used to support energy in a steadier, more sustainable ways when used as part of one’s daily routine. That’s part of why we’ve included Reishi and Ashwagandha in our bars. Taken consistently and in modest amounts, they’re designed to fit into everyday life as a gentle, food-first way to enjoy adaptogens. Explore the bars and see how they fit into your routine—one ILA bar at a time.