Since then, Dr. Brekhman and many other researchers have conducted thousands of scientific tests on eleuthero, as Siberian ginseng is called, as well as on other herbal adaptogens. Literally hundreds of thousands of people have taken these natural strengtheners, and the results have been resoundingly positive: they have proven to be remarkably effective for preventing a variety of ailments, increasing stamina and sports performance, and helping the body to adapt to extreme or changing environmental conditions.

The research has shown that adaptogens act in a number of ways to strengthen the body and protect it from the stress of a variety of life situations. (Stress, as almost all types of doctors now warn, is a major factor in chronic disease. It is no coincidence that three of the most-prescribed and best-selling drugs in America are for stress-related ailments: Tagamet for ulcers, Inderal for hypertension, and Xanex for anxiety.)

In general, adaptogens work by

1. Supporting the adrenal function, thus counteracting the adverse effects of stress;

2. Enabling the body's cells to have access to more energy;

3. Helping cells to eliminate toxic byproducts of the metabolic process;

4. Providing an anabolic (building-up) effect, hence the use of adaptogens by body-builders;

5. Helping the body to utilize oxygen more efficiently;

6. Enhancing and speeding the proper regulation of bio-rhythms.

Although medical practitioners who believe only in the mainstream, allopathic model of medicine often doubt that a single remedy can exhibit all the different benefits of an herbal adaptogen, the concept of adaptogens is not unknown to Western medicine. Until about 50 years ago, doctors commonly prescribed medicines known as roborants (strengthening substances), tonics (which restore normal tone to tissue), and alteratives (which cause favorable changes in the processes of nutrition and repair). For example, bitters such as gentian and quassia were widely used to improve digestion, and strengthening foods such as oatmeal and yams were prescribed for the convalescent. What we now call adaptogens combine at least some of the major functions of roborants, tonics, and alteratives, and they particularly resemble alteratives.

Below I will discuss the most important herbal adaptogens, giving pertinent information and recommendations for use with each. Some herbalists classify many herbs as adaptogens, including well-known immune-tonics (such as echinacea) and bitters (such as golden seal). However, Russian researchers--who have conducted most of the studies on adaptogens--have identified several herbs that I will call primary adaptogens. These herbs were the first to be studied as adaptogens, and they include: eleuthero, schizandra (Schizandra chinensis), and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum).

There are also what I will call secondary adaptogens. These have shown some normalizing activity, especially on the immune, nervous, and hormonal systems, but they may not have been studied extensively for their adaptogenic qualities or may not support the adrenal system. Secondary adaptogens include: ashwaganda (Withania somniferum), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), wild oats (Avena sativa), astragalus or huang chi (Astragalus membranaceous), fo-ti or ho shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum), burdock (arctium lappa), and suma (Pfaffia paniculata). There are probably other herbs that fall into this second category of adaptogens, but these are the best-understood and most readily available ones in this country.

Primary Herbal Adaptogens
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
There are three ways to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an herbal remedy: first, by its history of use, i.e., how it has been used in the past and in other cultures, and with what results; second, by what modern scientific research can show about an herb's effect on the body, its active constituents, and whether or not it has any subtle toxicity; and third, by the results of the herb's use in modern clinical practice.