Adaptogens
What
They Do?
Adaptogens
are natural substances that help the body to combat particular stresses put
upon it by stimulating the body's own self-regeneration process. They are
plant substances that normalize body processes and improve overall health by
supporting the body's systems (immune system). By balancing the secretions of
cortisol and other hormones of the adrenal cortex, these multipurpose agents
modify a wide range of positive responses, proving especially helpful in
shielding the body from impacts of stress and increasing energy levels.
Effective for a variety of conditions and suitable for all body types,
adaptogens not only defuse the effects of emotional stress but also help the
body recover from physical stress such as heavy manual labor, running long
distances, lack of sleep, surgical recovery and high-altitude sickness.
History
The
same as all herbs and phyto-plants, adaptogens have been around for centuries.
They were considered the most prominent herb in ancient Chinese medicine and
the highly respected Chinese herb masters called them the "King" or "Elite"
herb and declared adaptogens as being the most effective for the human body in
time of challenges.
The name adaptogens was
titled in 1947 by Russian scientist Dr. N.V. Lazarev while he was performing
extensive research on these rare natural plants. Because of their capability
to help increase the body's natural resistance and adapt to adverse
environmental conditions, he coined the term "adaptogens".
Based on Dr. Lazarev's
initial findings, numerous Russian scientists, including acclaimed scientist
Dr. Israel Brekhman, set out to study and prove that adaptogens are the only
natural substances which help the body protect itself from stress. From that
period, starting in the early 1950's, until present over 5,000 clinical
studies have been successfully performed proving the effectiveness and
efficacy of adaptogens for stress reduction.
Qualifications
To Be An Adaptogen
Unlike
allopathic drugs which carry with them the possibility of side effects,
adaptogens must benefit the body without disturbing or doing it harm. Very few
plants possess adaptogenic properties. It is estimated that only one in 4,000
plants qualify to be an adaptogen . To be considered a true adaptogen, a plant
must conform to the following criteria:
-
The
plant must be nontoxic and totally harmless to the body. It must allow the
continuing physiological function of the body.
-
The
action it exerts must increase the body's resistance to adverse influences.
-
It
must normalize body functions irrespective of existing pathological conditions