In TCM, a healthy stress response reflects a strong and resilient constitution that is able to withstand challenges, continuously maintaining or returning to homeostasis. Our stress response is like an innate regulatory mechanism, designed to help in that restoration of balance throughout the changing circumstances of life. Today, we often deal with profound amounts of stressors, including chronic overstimulation, disconnection from nature and its cycles, overexposure to toxins, ecological imbalance, and unrelenting pressure to be overly productive. This excess or even chronic stress can disrupt the body's overall balance, compromising both our continued ability to respond to stress and even our capacity for adaptability—framed as the measure of vibrant health in TCM.
Stress is considered one of the most common causes of dysregulation, affecting multiple organ systems and ultimately our entire picture of health. It can disrupt the balance of Yin and Yang within the Kidneys and therefore threaten our reserves of Jing (essence), which governs development, reproduction, and even life span. It can affect the Liver and therefore compromise the circulation of Qi (vital energy), leading to emotional turmoil and stagnation—the root of many health conditions. It can injure the Heart and therefore the Shen (spirit) that resides there, with both physiological and psychospiritual implications. It can affect the Spleen, compromising digestion and therefore negatively impacting the quality of our Blood. Such depletion of our vital substances and compromised organ function truly highlights the extent to which stress can disrupt the full spectrum of our health on the mind-body-spirit levels.
Every single Chinese tonic herb supports our capacity for adaptability in unique and specialized ways, all helping to bring us back into homeostasis and ensure the smooth functioning of the body as a whole. However, certain organic compounds show promise in offering targeted support that many find invaluable. L-theanine is one such compound—an amino acid derived from green tea leaves that’s been found to reduce both physiological and psychological stress responses, importantly strengthening long-standing TCM wisdom that there’s an inherent connection between the two.
L-theanine works by blocking glutamate receptors in the brain; because glutamate is the brain’s main excitatory neurotransmitter, this has a calming and neuroprotective effect. Indeed, glutamate is highly active during stress, and, in excess, is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
In the study by Kimura et al. (2007), researchers monitored heart rate (HR) and salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) as physiological markers of stress, while psychological stress was assessed using questionnaires. L-theanine intake resulted in a reduction of HR and s-IgA responses to the acute stress task, indicating a balancing effect on the body's stress response. Participants also reported reduced feelings of stress and anxiety after consuming L-theanine compared to the placebo. This research confirms that L-theanine is an effective modulator of excitatory signaling in the brain, helping to prevent overstimulation of the nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety, and support focused calm.
An incredible ally for stress relief and healthy sleep cycles, which also support a balanced stress response, you can find a pure and therapeutic dose in our new Glycine Sleep Support formula. Each serving contains 200 mg of L-theanine—a clinically supported dose used across multiple peer-reviewed studies. At this level, L-theanine has been shown to increase alpha brain wave activity, reduce salivary cortisol and heart rate under stress, and improve sleep quality, mood, and cognitive function with continued use.
It’s also important to understand that not all L-theanine is the same. While the compound may be labeled identically on a supplement facts panel, there is a clear distinction between L-theanine that is extracted from green tea leaves and that which is synthetically manufactured. The natural form mirrors what has been used both traditionally and in clinical research, while synthetic versions are often produced at lower cost and may contain a mixture of L- and D-theanine—only one of which is bioactive. Most companies do not disclose the source or form, yet the difference in quality, efficacy, and price is significant.
We use only the natural, bioidentical form of L-theanine—because the integrity of the source matters, especially when it comes to formulas designed to support the delicate balance of the nervous system.
