Adaptogens – for Wellness and Antiaging

Adaptogens are herbs that can increase your body’s resistance to various forms of stress, anxiety, and fatigue. An adaptogen is a remedy herbal that has a normalizing effect on physiology, and adaptogenic herbs are known for their restorative properties.

Adaptogenic Herbs

Though their use goes back many centuries, it was a Russian scientist named Nikolai Lazarev who in 1947 first coined the term adaptogen, and studied herbs with specific stress modulating properties.

Lazarev, working with native populations, found that the herbs such as rosea rhodiola were seemingly able to fortify the body against the effects of stress, and help balance the physiology of workers, in demanding environments and conditions.

The Russian Connection

The Russian military also made use of these valuable herbs upon finding that they allowed their soldiers to better withstand cold and fatigue, and to keep going through all kinds of adverse environmental conditions.

Adaptogens can accomplish this by rebalancing the hormonal and immune systems in the way that is most appropriate. What makes adaptogenic herbs so unique is that no matter how the stress affects or changes your body’s physiology they bring it back to into a normal and healthy balance.

Dr. Israel I. Brekhman PhD is considered to have been the world’s foremost authority on the adaptogen. He spent many years studying and cataloguing their effects. Dr. Brekhman’s work was so revered in his native Russia, that he was given the “Order of Lenin” award by the Russian government.

For herbs to be considered adaptogenic:

• They must be non toxic
• They must increase the resistance of the hormonal and immune system to all kinds of stress through a non specific physiological response
• They must normalize body functions no matter how those functions may have been altered by stress

Scientists are not quite sure just how they elicit this stress response adaptation. They have been used in folk remedies for centuries and their unique properties as a class of botanical substances have added to the mystique they have as natural medicines.

These herbs used extensively in Russia were largely unknown in the west especially the U.S. The world first began to be aware of their qualities when they were used with great success by Russian athletes.

Adaptogenic herbs were so effective the Russian athletes were suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs, which they may well have done, but the adaptogens played a strong role in reducing the stress of intense athletic training.

The end result was much better performance from these athletes and for the first time a growing interest from western sports trainers and coaches. Since the Russian training system emphasizes restoration and recovery from intense training, adaptogenic herbs were vital to the preparation of their elite athletes.

Here are the most popular and commonly used adaptogens:

• Siberian Ginseng – immune booster, more energy, fights depression
• American & Korean Ginseng – immune booster, anti cancer
• Pantocrene (Velvet Deer Antler) – general tonic, strength, energy
• Rhodiloa Rosea – anti stress, anti arrhythmic, protects the heart
• Ashwagandha – Ayurveid herb, anabolic, anti-aging, general tonic
• Avena Sativa – protects nervous system, more energy, fights stress
• Reishi Mushroom – boosts immune function, energy, sleep, homeostasis
• Cordyceps – hormone modulator, anti-aging, benefits heart and lungs
• Licorice – antiviral, anti-inflammatory, protects liver and digestive system
• Flavonoids – contain anti-oxidants, cleanse and strengthen the body
• Elderberry – anti-oxidant, anti inflammatory, antiviral, boosts immunity
• Hawthorn – anti-hypertensive, anti-arrhythmic, general tonic
• Grape Seed Extract – anti-inflammatory, protects heart, anti cancer
• Green Tea – antioxidant, anti cancer, antiviral, protects connective tissue
• Lo Han – lung tonic, anti stress, 250 times sweeter than sugar
• Ginger – anti-inflammatory, lowers cholesterol, protects heart

This short list is just an overview. You need to read a good book on this topic for more detailed information regarding combinations of herbs, specific recommendations and dosage guidelines.