The ability to adapt to the stresses of life is fundamental to life itself. Adaptability is the root of evolution and is the secret to biological success. The more adaptable one is, the more flexibility and resiliency one will be capable of showing in one's life. Adaptability is inherent in all living creatures, and human beings are inherently one of the most adaptable creatures on earth. 

Human beings have been able to adapt to virtually every climate on the earth. There are humans living in the most inhospitable climates – the hottest, driest deserts; the hottest, dampest jungles; the coldest, most barren tundra, etc. But mankind is now creating a new, often artificial world that is in many ways a new challenge to the adaptive nature of the people living in these environments. Not only is the well being of every individual now at stake, but the very survival of mankind and the majority of the species on earth are at risk due to extreme changes that are taking place in the ecosystem as a result of humankind's aggressive technological "advancement." 

A healthy person adapts easily to a wide range of "normal" stress factors, such as changes in the weather. But if for some reason, we lose some of our ability to adapt, we can easily become imbalanced and this often results in illness. And it is important to remember that an over-reaction is just as dangerous as an under-reaction. One must adapt precisely according to the degree of change to be considered optimally adaptive. 

If for some reason we lose the ability to adjust appropriately, sooner or later we fall prey to the forces of nature. In a desperate attempt to regain homeostasis, our bodies rely on back-up methods of regaining balance. If these too are insufficient, severe symptoms arise, followed by death. 

One of the greatest features of the Chinese tonic herbs is their ability to enhance our adaptability. Many of the most tonic herbs are categorized as “adaptogens.” Adaptogens are herbs that promote our overall adaptability. They help us handle stress much more efficiently, thus preventing us from going into stress mode. This is VERY helpful for people who live stressful lives. Adaptogens increase vitality, help us relax and stay calm and maintain healthy, fit adrenal functions.

Enhancing Adaptability

We human beings are intimately interconnected with our environment. Any change in the environment influences us both physically and psychically. How we handle such changes, how we adapt to the changes in our environment and to the stresses of life, will be the determining factor in our health and well-being. Conversely, as we change, the environment around us will be influenced and will reflect our changes. The greatness of Oriental natural philosophy lies, to a great degree, in its subtlety and breadth of vision with regard to the connection between the human being and their environment. The tonic herbalist recognizes such environmental influences as the change of seasons, wind, heat, cold, dryness, moisture, and so on, as fundamental causative factors in one's health as well as one's dis-ease.

Adaptability requires energy. The greater the stresses of life and the more dynamic the changes in one's life, the greater the requirement for adaptive energy. The very purpose of using Chinese tonic herbs is to aid the body-mind in its adaptive needs. The greatness of the Chinese tonic herbs lies in their adaptogenic quality; that is, their ability to enhance the body-mind's capacity to adapt optimally, accurately and with endurance, to changes in the environment, and thus to overcome the stresses of life. 

By replenishing the energy of the cells, tissues and systems that regulate our adaptability, we find ourselves capable of experiencing life at its fullest. We find ourselves with increased physical, mental and emotional endurance. We find ourselves easily handling stresses that would exhaust others. We find ourselves to be resilient on every level. This adaptability allows us to lead a rich, broad, adventurous life.

When the body is working very well, it automatically adapts accurately. This is part of the miraculous self-regulatory mechanisms built into every cell of our bodies. This accurate adaptability is a key to radiant health. When you are radiantly healthy, nothing will bother you. If it’s very hot, the body adjusts and you feel just fine. If it’s cold, you adapt to that. People who adapt easily tend to be successful at life.  But stress depletes this adaptive energy. Eventually, if you do not have enough adaptive Qi, you start to mal-adjust and sooner or later illness results. In addition, as we become less capable of adapting, we become more and more aware of the stress and a vicious cycle occurs. 

The Chinese tonic herbs are among the best tools on earth for combating stress. Obviously, it is better to avoid stress in the first place, or at least to submit ourselves to a minimum.  Along with meditation, yoga and deep breathing techniques, Chinese tonic herbs are the perfect natural way to help deal with stress. The herbs should not really be taken like drugs to overcome stress. Tonics aren’t really meant to be used like that. Herbs that help the body to maintain balance under stressful conditions are called adaptogenic. By taking the adaptogenic herbs continuously, even when stressful factors are not strong, we can handle stress easily and overcome our problems with less agitation, even when circumstances become extremely stressful. 

It takes energy to handle stressful events and forces. The tonic herbs provide that energy. If you are in a weakened condition and a stressful event occurs, of course you will feel more vulnerable and more stressed than if you had plenty of energy to deal with the problem. That is natural. The point, then, is to never run out of adaptive energy---always have reserve energy so that when an emergency happens we can deal with it without exhausting ourselves. 

The Primary Adaptogenic Herbs that Help You Fight Stress

All of the herbs used in Chinese tonic herbalism contribute to our adaptability. That is the very nature of a “superior herb.” But some herbs have special reputations for helping people adapt and to handle stress in a way that is not damaging and not exhausting. Here are the super-adaptogens, the herbs that everybody should be taking to protect themselves from the ravages of stress.

Ginseng

Ginseng has been known for thousands of years for its ability to help people handle stress, and is now used by millions of people to help handle stress more effectively. Ginseng should be consumed on a regular basis so that when stress occurs, the body and mind are fully energized and ready. 

Reishi

Reishi is the perfect herb for these times. It is strengthening, protective and calming to the nerves. It is both a potent Qi tonic and the ultimate Shen tonic. It is the perfect anti-stress herb. It helps to center you. When you’re taking Reishi you feel adaptive and you feel protected.  It is without question the best anti-stress herb in Chinese herbalism. It is very safe, so you may use as much as you like. With Dragon Herbs you are assured that you are taking genuine Duanwood (chemical free log-grown) Reishi or Wild Reishi. We recommend that EVERYONE takes Duanwood or Wild Reishi every day. 

Gynostemma

Gynostemma is a quintessential adaptogenic stress-fighting herb. Gynostemma can be taken as a daily tea to ease tension and build energy. We recommend that EVERYONE takes Gynostemma every day.

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng is the equal of Ginseng in its adaptogenic capabilities. Some authorities think it is stronger. Siberian Ginseng contains saponins that balance the nervous and endocrine systems. Siberian Ginseng builds endurance.

Astragalus

Recent research has shown that Astragalus is one of the most powerful agents in the world at regulating the functions of the body. It is a fundamental Qi tonic and should be a part of any adaptogenic, anti-stress formula.  

Schizandra

Schizandra is a major adaptogenic herb. Schizandra helps keep you relaxed and alert, improves concentration and strengthens the nervous system. It is one of the most well-established adaptogenic herbs, and it is the perfect herb for today’s stressful world.  

Cordyceps

Cordyceps provides deep inner power giving you the fortitude to deal with stress and the endurance to survive. It is one of the most strengthening tonics in the world.

Lycium

Lycium provides the reserve energy necessary to handle just about any difficulty. They say that constant consumption of Lycium will beget a cheerful attitude, and there’s nothing like good cheer to overcome stress. Lycium, like the other super-tonic adaptogens, makes you strong, relaxed and resilient.

Adaptogenic Formulations from Dragon Herbs

Dragon Herbs is a tonic herbs company. Our emphasis is on promoting health through the use of tonic herbs, and especially through the use of adaptogenic herbs and formulations. For that reason, we have sourced out the most extraordinary tonic herbal raw materials and formulations from Asia and around the world. Dragon Herbs produces over two dozen adaptogenic products for you to choose from.

There are many modern formulations that feature one or more of the above listed super-adaptogens.  Dragon Herbs offers a number of such formulas. Super Adaptogen and Adaptogen Energizer, are capable of building abundant adaptive Qi and are the perfect herbal supplements for those who want to get the most out of life.  They are  pure adaptogenic formulations designed to provide an abundance of the kind of Qi that allows us to perform optimally under all circumstances. 

Adaptogen Energizer and Super Adaptogen are safe for virtually anybody and can be consumed in large or small quantities.

Most of the major Qi tonic formulations are highly adaptogenic. Formulas such as Ten Complete Super-Tonic Combination, Ginseng and Astragalus Combination and Ginseng Nutritive Combination are superb classic adaptogenic formulas. You may select the one that most appeals to you.

Other potent adaptogenic formulations produced by Dragon Herbs include

·         Supreme Protector

·         Super Pill

·         Liver Tonic 2000

·         Endocrine Health

·         Eight Immortals

·         Qi Drops

·         Heaven Drops

·         Earth Drops

·         Ginseng Sublime

·         Grandpa’s Ginseng

Adaptogenic single-herb produced by Dragon Herbs include

·         Astragalus capsules

·         Duanwood Reishi Drops

·         Duanwood Reishi Capsules

·         Wild Reishi Drops

·         Cordyceps Capsules

·         Siberian Ginseng Drops

·         Siberian Ginseng Capsules

The Ginsengs

Remarkable Adaptogenic Herbs

Chinese Ginseng

Even short-term administration of high quality Asian Ginseng increases the adaptability of the organism consuming it. Numerous studies have shown that short or long term administration of Ginseng can increase the non-specific response to various noxious influences, whether they are physically, chemically or biologically induced. Even very short-term administration of Ginseng promotes the re-establishment of normal function of the organism. Ginseng is indeed the king of adaptogens. Longer term use of Ginseng appears to cause numerous physiological changes in the animal or human consuming it, resulting in improved functioning which become more or less permanent. 

Ginseng has been demonstrated in numerous animal studies, as well as in human studies, and thus proven to have powerful anti-fatigue effects. Moderate doses of Ginseng have endurance enhancing effects. Ginseng can thus prevent fatigue when consumed prior to exertion. In addition, certain ginsenosides in Ginseng can promote the recovery of animals and humans from fatigue. The anti-fatigue effects of Ginseng are the result of complex metabolic regulatory activities. Primarily, however, it involves significantly improved utilization of glycogen and the reduced accumulation of lactic acid and acetoacetic acid.  

Eleuthero

Eleuthero (formerly called Siberian Ginseng) has been used regularly as a tonic by the people of far northern China for over two thousand years. It became very popular in China in the latter half of this century when phyto-biologists in the Soviet Union discovered that this herb, which they called Eleutherococcus senticosis, had profound adaptogenic functions, similar to those of ginseng. Eleuthero has grown enormously in reputation, importance and popularity in the Chinese and Western herbal systems in the last few decades. Eleuthero has exploded in usage throughout the world over the last twenty years. Eleuthero is now one of the most commonly available, and widely used Chinese tonic herbs on the American market. It is especially popular among athletes or physical workers who require substantial sources of adaptive energy and endurance, such as long distance runners, rock climbers, bicyclists, scuba divers, dancers, tennis players, and by others seeking to enhance physical and mental performance, endurance and adaptability.

Eleuthero is a very powerful adaptogenic agent. It is among the most famous and important adaptogenic herbs in the world. It helps expand the dimensions of work that one can perform, improving work capacity in both the short and long term. Athletes and workers all over the world have found that regular consumption of the extract of this herb provides endurance and the capacity to handle heavy work loads with less strain on the body. Eleuthero is an extremely safe herb that has been clearly demonstrated to have no negative side effects. Yet it was once banned for use by Olympic athletes because it provides an “unfair competitive advantage.” That ban has been lifted because it is an innocuous supplement, from a safety perspective. It contains no steroids or other dangerous chemical agents. Its benefits are derived from its broad spectrum of eleutherosides, chemical agents that help the nervous and endocrine systems to perform entirely naturally at a higher level. These eleutherosides are saponins, which are very similar to the saponins found in Panax Ginseng. 

Eleuthero increases respiratory power by improving the ability of the body to absorb and efficiently use oxygen. For this reason, Russian cosmonauts use it during space travel. Mountain climbers who scale peaks where oxygen becomes scarce commonly use Eleuthero to reduce the stress on the body caused by the adverse conditions, and to absorb oxygen more efficiently. For the same reasons, any one engaged in hard physical activity will benefit from the consumption of Eleuthero. It is a superb athlete’s tonic, especially for athletes who rely on respiratory endurance. 

Eleuthero helps regulate functions so that optimum physiological efficiency is achieved. Used regularly, the energy of the whole body will increase. This herb has been shown to reduce the activation of the adrenal cortex in response to stress, which means that it helps to prevent excessive stress reactions, which can in term damage other components of the endocrine and nervous systems and result in exhaustion. In clinical trials in which Eleuthero was administered to healthy human subjects, results showed that Eleuthero increases the ability of humans to withstand a wide range of adverse physical and mental conditions, such as exercise, increase in workload, noise, heat, motion and decompression. It was also shown in the same studies to improve athletic performance and the quality of work under stressful conditions. 

Besides being characterized as a tonic herb, Eleuthero is in fact also regarded as a mild, but significant “stimulant.” This stimulating action refers to the pharmacological ability of Eleuthero to increase the work capacity of a person after a single dose of the preparation. This is in some contrast to its tonic action, which refers to its ability to increase work capacity after prolonged or continuous use of the substance. Work capacity is increased as a result of taking a tonic, not just during the time period when the substance is being used, but for a sustained period of time afterwards. Eleuthero has the rare ability to both increase immediate energy and long-term energy, and is thus known as a “stimulating tonic.” It increases the general tone of the body, while adjusting and normalizing arterial blood pressure and blood sugar levels.  It does not possess the negative side effects, depressing qualities or addictive potential of most other pharmacological and biological stimulants such as coffee, guarana, amphetamines, or cocaine, etc. It is the safest and healthiest known stimulant.

The History of Adaptogenic Herbs

It is not quite clear whether or not people are under more or less stress than they were in the past. The stresses of poverty, enormous seasonal weather changes (without heating, insulation or air conditioners), the hard work of acquiring food, war, pestilence, etc. have always been stressful. Many of the stresses that our forefathers had to bare have been lessened by modern invention. What would we do without electricity, the modern toilet, the automobile, the telephone, the modern printing press, refrigeration, heating oil, grocery stores, etc. On the other hand, life is so full of trivial pursuits and is so fast paced that new stresses have arisen and humankind is being forced to adapt in new ways.  Will we be able to adapt to the widening holes in the Stratosphere?  Will we be able to adapt to the carcinogens in our water, food and air?  Will we be able to adapt to artificial food?  Will we be able to adapt to the constant bombardment of various forms of radiation? 

As the great endocrinologist Hans Selye has pointed out in his classic biomedical text, Stress:

“Adaptability is probably the most distinctive characteristic of life. In maintaining the independence and individuality of natural units, none of the great forces on inanimate matter are as successful as that alertness and adaptability to change which we designate as life---and the loss of which is death.  Indeed there is perhaps even a certain parallelism between the degree of aliveness and the extent of adaptability in every animal---and man.”

Selye postulated that there is some sort of intrinsic energy with which a person is born.  He presented compelling evidence that it can be used slowly or quickly, but when it is all gone, we die. 

Adaptability is the very measure by which an Oriental master would judge the true health of an individual. The more adaptive an individual, the more vigor with which one can meet the challenges of life, the greater that person's degree of health. The Daoist sages of China have taught that we are all born with an intrinsic energy that determines one's fundamental, constitutional strength.  It is called Primal Essence, or Jing.  This Jing is said to determine our potential life expectancy as well as the vitality of our life while we are living it.

Oriental sages say that it is easy to abuse and thus dissipate this Jing with which we are born.  As we lose this fundamental energy, we stiffen and lose our ability to change.  We cannot adapt easily or appropriately, either on the microscopic or macroscopic level.  Therefore we easily become imbalanced, toxic and stagnant, and dangerously susceptible to attack by microbial invaders.  Selye has supported this principle of an original, apparently limited energy by demonstrating scientifically that stress of any sort can be adjusted to for a while, but that finally the stress response mechanism exhausts itself and death ensues prematurely.  

Long ago Chinese sages knew this.  They investigated the natural world, and over many centuries they discovered and developed means of enhancing this Primal Essence, Jing, by working with natural laws rather than against them.   The oldest philosophical teaching of China, Daoism, is a philosophy of flowing with Nature's changes, constantly harmonizing, always maintaining balance so as to avoid the stress of extremes.  Nature itself presents enough difficulties.  Why add more stress by bringing it upon ourselves?  By knowing when you have gone far enough and by knowing when you have had enough, you will lead a less stressed, less draining life.   Additionally, by living close to Nature and by changing gracefully with the changes in the environment, one can avoid calamity and slow down aging. 

Aside from simply avoiding stress, the ancient masters found it possible to replenish our reserves of Jing.  It is obviously impossible to avoid stress entirely.  Anything that taxes our system drains us of some of our Jing.  Thus, to promote our health, we must nurture our Jing, that is, our primal energy.  Techniques were established which could do exactly this, and have been passed along from one generation to the next for three millennia. These health arts for replacing spent Jing---or beyond that, building reserves---are the greatest health secrets of the East.      

Chinese tonic herbalism is a primary means in the Orient for replenishing and enhancing energy and for preserving harmonious balance in the human body.  It is the primary tool for attaining radiant health. The adaptive tonic herbs help people handle stress much more easily.