We cannot be sure when plants were first used by man for reasons other than food. But we do know that in all parts of the world, there is a long history of the use of herbs that grow specific to that area. For thousands of years, herbs have been used for medicinal purposes, particularly in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. However, only in the last few decades have herbs been the subject of scientific research.

There is a unique group of herbs which appears to have an impressive ability to assist the body as it adapts to stressful conditions. These amazing herbs are called adaptogens. The term adaptogen comes from the Latin word adaptare, which means to fit or adjust. Adaptogens are highly regarded for their ability to increase resistance to stress and fatigue.

An adaptogen:

• helps the body to normalize metabolic function
• increases metabolic efficiency
• increases resistance to disease
• normalizes bodily functions, even in diseased states
• is non-toxic, and safe for ingestion for long-term use

Adaptogens that naturally grow in a particular area are often there for good reason: they provide a food source to the humans and animals native to that region, and they also provide specific nutrients that make it possible to survive and stay healthy in these areas.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, there are several plants that nourish our bodies and protect us from the long, cold, damp winters, where it is not uncommon to lack sunshine for weeks on end. Oregon Grape, Western Red Cedar, Usnea lichen, Devil's Club, Lomatium are just a few of the herbs growing in the Pacific Northwest which can help the local population overcome ailments common to the region.

Here's where it gets interesting: Many adaptogens that we now use to provide immune and adrenal support, improve symptoms of sadness or depression, and give us strength and stamina, grow in very harsh conditions. Some are found at altitudes as high as 15,000 feet--such as Rhodiola. Others grow in similar conditions, including Cordyceps, American Ginseng, and Eleuthero.

There's no better time than now to learn about these wonderful herbs, especially in these current stressful times. Stress is a fact of everyday life, and especially now with the economy in a down spin, people losing their homes, jobs, and increasing portions of their life savings, reported stress levels of all ages are understandably at their highest in years. Adapting to stress is of the utmost importance. More and more research indicates that failing to effectively respond to stress is a leading cause of illness and disease.

Stress, and the effects of stress, affects our bodies daily, in profound and lasting ways. Common symptoms may include problems with sleep, depression, anxiety, irritability, and fatigue. Stress diminishes the immune system, and may lead to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, ulcers, and hypertension.

Our bodies were not designed to live under constant stress. In earlier times, the main stressors that affected man's health were primarily environmental, as well as temporary: predator threat, famine, or drought. Today, the stressors we face are more societal in nature, and also more chronic: financial difficulty, demanding workloads, unemployment, over-scheduled lives, traffic, road rage, crime, drug use, failing school, difficulties with children, and so on.

Now, compounded with these stressors from our everyday lives, we have the cold, damp, grey, seemingly never-ending winter conditions to deal with. The cumulative effect can often be too much for our systems, which is why we see illness at this time of year more than any other. We need help to stay healthy, and make it through the season with as little impact on our adrenal system as possible. Lucky for us, we have many herbs, right here, to help us do just that:

1. Astragalus
2. Ashwagandha
3. American Ginseng
4. Eleuthero
5. Holy Basil
6. Cordyceps
7. Maca
8. Licorice

These are just a few of the wonderful adaptogens available to give us an edge as we wage our battle against chronic stress, illness, and winter. We are all different though, and just as is the case with pharmaceutical drugs, what may work for one person in the herbal world may not work as well for another. Still, the long-standing practices of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine cannot be denied just because they have not yet been proven scientifically. There's a reason that adaptogens are so highly regarded in such practices. Mother Nature can be tough; but at least she's provided an effective remedy in our own back yard. We'd be wise to take advantage of them.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The Contraindications and Potential Drug Interactions information provided on this website is not intended to be all-inclusive. A health care professional should be consulted regarding the use of herbal products. Always keep your Doctor or other healthcare professional informed about the herbal and other dietary supplement products that you are taking.