Adaptogens

Nature and trend in the supplement market

Stress is part of everyday life: deadline pressure, performance requirements, environmental factors or even lack of sleep put a strain on body and mind. More and more consumers are therefore looking for natural helpers that promote inner balance and resilience. This is precisely where adaptogens are increasingly coming into focus. Adaptogens are substances that make the body more resistant to stress and help to restore balance.

The global market for adaptogens is growing: forecasts predict a market volume of over 19 billion US dollars by 2032 with annual growth of around 7%^.1

This opens up exciting prospects for the dietary supplement market: Adaptogens combine traditional plant science with current lifestyle trends and open up a wide range of opportunities for innovative products.

What are adaptogens?

The term "adaptogen" dates back to research carried out in the 1940s. However, the herbal substances known as adaptogens have been used for much longer, as they originally come from traditional Asian and Russian medicine. These are plants whose consumption is said to have a positive effect on resilience in situations of physical or emotional stress.

Their effects are associated with regulating stress hormones (e.g. cortisol), influencing the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) and antioxidant mechanisms, among other things. The effect of adaptogens has not yet been sufficiently scientifically proven, but the demand for these ingredients is growing steadily.

Ask for your next product now!

Overview of some
important adaptogens

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera), one of the best-known adaptogens, is considered a classic nerve tonic in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Due to the withanolides it contains, which are said to have a stress-reducing and calming effect, ashwagandha is used in particular in product concepts for stress reduction, sleep and inner peace.

Rose root (Rhodiola rosea)

Another important adaptogen is rose root (Rhodiola rosea), which grows in cold regions (e.g. Siberia, Scandinavia) and is said to have been used particularly in Russian folk medicine to combat exhaustion. It can therefore be found on the market, particularly in energy and concentration products.

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also known as taiga root, is another adaptogen that is said to increase energy, combat fatigue and improve mental performance. This effect is said to be due to the eleutherosides contained in the plant.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Panax ginseng, which originates from East Asia, has also long been used in traditional Asian medicine because it can support concentration and memory, strengthen stress resistance and alleviate fatigue. Unlike Siberian ginseng, however, the ginsenosides contained in Panax ginseng are said to be responsible for its effect.

Small fat leaf (Bacopa monnieri)

The small fat leaf (Bacopa monnieri), known in India as brahmi, is another adaptogen that is found on the market, particularly in products for memory, concentration and focus. It is often combined with the plant substances ginkgo and ginseng.

Tulsi / Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum)

Tulsi, which originates from India and is also known as "holy basil", is said to reduce stress, support cognitive functions and improve mood by regulating cortisol, according to some studies. Furthermore, the plant is said to be an effective antioxidant and therefore also helps against oxidative stress. Tulsi is also used in Ayurveda to support the immune system and the respiratory tract.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Maca, which is better known in connection with libido products, is also a representative of adaptogens. In addition to the positive effect on sexual desire, some studies also provide evidence of a positive effect of maca in the areas of mood, hormonal balance, energy and stress management.

Functional mushrooms

Vital mushrooms such as reishi, cordyceps and chaga are also adaptogens. As we have already dedicated a separate blog to this topic, you can find more detailed information there.

To the overview of medicinal mushrooms

Adaptogens in food supplements

Legal status

As the studies on adaptogens are not yet considered sufficient, there are no approved health claims for them. For this reason, the plant substances are often combined with vitamins, minerals or other substances with suitable approved health claims in formulations for the areas of inner calm, stress, mood, concentration and sleep.

Furthermore, due to their history of use in traditional medicine, care must be taken when using adaptogens to distinguish them from food supplements and medicinal products. The herbal substances must not have a pharmacological effect in food supplements, which is why the dosage of the substances in a formulation must be critically examined.

Healthy Aging Kapseln im Blister, davor einige lose Kapseln

Mushroom Chai Latte als Mental Health Produkt

Adaptogenic product concepts with Biohealth

We at BHI also have numerous adaptogens in our portfolio of raw materials that we can integrate into suitable product concepts for you.

How about a capsule product for concentration and focus, for example? Ginseng, ginkgo and small fat leaf can be usefully combined with magnesium, vitamin B12 and folic acid. Among other things, vitamin B12 contributes to normal mental function, normal functioning of the nervous system and a reduction in tiredness and fatigue.

The Mushroom Chai Latte is an adaptogenic hot drink for a moment of pleasure during the day. It contains the vital mushrooms Chaga, Reishi & Tremella. The recipe is supplemented with ginger & vitamin C.

Gelbe Mental Health Kapseln fallen aus einem Glas

Schlafkakao in einem Glas, daneben Lavendel und Zimtstangen.

Ashwagandha is used in products for mental balance and inner peace, among other things. A combination of ashwagandha, St. John's wort, L-tryptophan, gamma-aminobutyric acid and selected B vitamins is ideal for such a product concept.

Ashwagandha can also be usefully integrated into formulations for sleep concepts. Before falling asleep as an evening ritual - snuggled up in a blanket - enjoying a sleeping cocoa that contains ashwagandha, valerian, lavender, melatonin and magnesium, for example, rounds off the day perfectly.

Adaptogens are more than just a short-term trend. They combine millennia-old knowledge with modern lifestyle demands and offer companies enormous opportunities for innovative product concepts. Even if the scientific evidence is not yet conclusive and legal framework conditions must be observed: Demand is growing - and those who work with high-quality raw materials, clear positioning and creative combinations can successfully establish themselves on the market in the long term.

Have your product concepts developed with adaptogens now!

¹www.gminsights.com/de/industry-analysis/adaptogens-market-statistics (as at: 20.01.2026)

Back