Everyday Stress, General Health and the Immune System

Isn’t everyday stress something we all experience? Absolutely. In fact,
small amounts can be beneficial: it can inspire and motivate us, focus
our energy and improve performance. Then there is the other type
of everyday stress, the concerns or deadlines that that tire us out with
the so-called ‘fight-or-flight’ response. A remnant of evolution, this
response originally developed in humans and animals as a physical
defense mechanism to immediate and life-threatening danger.
In modern-day life this type of response to stress is no longer
appropriate. Nevertheless, when activated, the body reacts in the same
way: we feel a rush of energy, become fully alert and ready to act.
This is prompted by the activation of the HPA-axis: the hypothalamus,
the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. Its activation triggers
a cascade of events that results in the release of normal ‘stress
hormones‘ in the bloodstream (e.g. cortisol), which may then impact
normal healthy immune response (see Figure 1).1
‘Toning’ our adrenal glands, supporting the body’s normal stress
response, and helping the body maintain its normal immune function
can help us to adapt to the daily challenges of life and maintain
our general health and well-being.

Licorice and Rehmannia are used traditionally by
Western herbalists to:

• Support healthy adrenal gland function for a healthy
  stress response
• Help the body adapt to everyday challenges*

Ashwagandha is traditionally used in Ayurveda to/as:

• Support healthy stress response and general health and
  well-being
  
• Maintain feelings of well-being when experiencing
  temporary, mild stress
  
• A tonic to help increase energy and support
  overall health
  
• Calm the nerves and support nervous system health
  
• Support healthy sleep
  
• Support cognition function and learning ability
• Support and maintain the body as it ages*

Echinacea is used traditionally by Western herbalists to:

• Support healthy immune system response*