Ponce de Leon spent his life searching for it. Residents of the fabled Valley of Shangri-La were reputed to possess it. Sages in ancient India developed alchemy to find it. Throughout time and history, all cultures searched for the gift of youth: limitless vitality, invincible resistance to the ravages of old age and disease, and the ability to renew and regenerate the body. Every culture possesses its own tradition for maintaining health with herbs. Each has a class of herbs that are considered superior to all others because they promote radiant health and youthful vigor. Each culture believes that these herbs, when coupled with right living and a healthy diet, have the unique ability to undo the ravages of stress, overwork, neglect and time.

In today’s Western culture, these special herbs are called adaptogens. A Russian scientist coined the term adaptogen in the 1950’s. He was studying Eleuthrococcus (formerly called Siberian Ginseng). Adaptogen refers to the ability of certain compounds contained within this class of plants to support the body’s own normal response to external and internal stresses, in other words, the body’s “adaptability.” Since the 1950’s there have been over 5000 scientific studies on the qualities of adaptogenic plants and their effect on human physiology. It is hypothesized that these herbal helpers work on our hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis to help reduce over-reaction to stressors. It is also theorized that adaptogens help the body to regenerate after exposure to stress by providing a supply of anti-oxidants to help shorten recovery time after stress.

We have all heard that, “stress kills,” either directly, as in a heart attack, or indirectly, through a gradual wearing down of the body’s mental and physical defenses. Adaptogenic herbs are valuable allies, helping us to better deal with the stress of day-to-day living. It would be wise for each of us to learn more about this class of herbs and incorporate them into our daily routine.

In India this class of herbs (or herbal combinations) can be loosely termed “rasayanas.” Rasayanas contribute to the maintenance of optimal health and functionality. They are the true tonics of Ayurveda. The most well known of these include: Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Shilajit, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Guggul, Triphala, and Chyavanprash. Each of these is revered for its ability to enhance and support the quality and length of life.

In China adaptogenic herbs are known as “Fu Zheng,” literally meaning to “return to normal.” They are highly revered and are considered to be suitable for everyday use. They form, as mentioned earlier, an important part of a lifestyle designed to insure long life and radiant health by optimizing adaptability to one’s surroundings. The most well known of these are: Astragalus, Reishi Mushroom, Shitake Mushroom, Schizandra, Lycium, Jujube, Gynostemma (Jiaogulan), Codonopsis, Ginseng (Panax, Pseudo, American), and Cordyceps Mushroom.

If we take adaptogenic herbs, will we grow immediately younger, be free from pain, and maybe even cheat death? The answer is most likely “no.” But add them to a healthy diet, healthy lifestyle and moderate exercise, and we can enhance our chances of finding our own “Fountain of Youth.”

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