Adaptogens

 
The history of adaptogens started in 1947, when the Russian scientists N.V. Lazarev coined the word “adaptogen” for the unique effect of some rare substances. These substances had an increasing effect on the human body´s natural resistance to physical and emotional stress, fatigue, depression and organic illness. The adaptogens also improved concentration, co-ordination and endurance, and was resistant to muscular pain. The studies continued and in 1958, the Russian professor and researcher Israel I. Brekhman established the definition of adaptogens still in use today. Three definitions were created for a genuine adaptogen:

1. An adaptogen increases the body’s non-specific defence against stress and strain

2. An adaptogen always tries to normalise the body’s functions, irrespective of the direction in which the disturbance is acting

3. An adaptogen can only act to produce a normalisation – it can never stimulate the body beyond what the body can do if it is rested, healthy and well-nourished.

An adaptogen is a substance that prepares and defends the body against different forms of physical, psychological, chemical or biological stress. It makes the body more adaptable, so that the body and brain can react more easily and rapidly to stress in a constructive way. It also”trains” the body to cope with increased stress; the stress becomes less harmful. Despite the stress, the body can function normally. ”The body’s non-specific response to stress increases”. An adaptogen normalises the body’s functions and increases the body’s tolerance to stress in all forms; metabolism of substances, signal transfer, hormone balance, enzyme activity and cellular respiration are normalised. This should be compared to other stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine that produce alertness, which in a way are stressful for the body. These substances are also dependence-inducing and to obtain the same result over a prolonged period the dosage sometimes has to be increased. Higher dosages of these substances are sometimes also classified as doping.

(Natural Pharmacy, July/August 2003, Alexander G. Panossian, Ph.D.)
 

In the search for adaptogens, more than 200 herbs were studied. three met the requirements – Schizandra chinensis, Rhodiola rosea and Eleutherococus senticosus. these three had the common feature that they activate the body’s functions (energy and resistance), were rapid-acting and free of side effects.