Adaptogens – Do Adaptogens Really Work?

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An introduction to adaptogens

The anathema that the West has for Russia, China and Korea, could blind them, even when something good for mankind originates from this part of the world. The research and development of adaptogens was extensively pursued by these countries after it was originally developed in 1947. Adaptogens are substances that would increase resistance and treat stress which saw these three countries taking a very keen interest in its development prior to the 1980s.

These substances were derived naturally and was used in conjunction with herbal medicine which the European Medicines Agency, under the auspices of the European Union (EU),the watch dog to issue approvals for any new medications dismissing it outright in 2008. They were not willing to accept the research and studies submitted by the Russians. Their contention was that additional clinical and preclinical research was needed before they could provide the required approvals.

The Americans went a step further and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to a company that used the word “adaptogens”. The FDA accused the company that one of their products falsely advertised the concept of adaptogens, which was not approved within its jurisdiction.

Though there could have been some anomalies in the studies conducted by these three countries the West were not prepared to give an ear. They did not want to improve on the research and studies conducted and see whether there was any truth to the claims. They dismissed everything outright. The crux of the matter was the undue influence that was exerted on the concerned authorities by the major pharmaceutical companies of the West, who found themselves threatened if this herbal backed concept to control and treat stress became popular.

There was millions of dollars at stake and with all three countries, Russia, China and Korea being communist and socialist countries and not capitalist minded their intentions were genuine and bona fide. The same could not be said of the West, which was very much interested in pursuing their business interests even at the cost of human life.

They just could not bring in the greenbacks if they went ahead with something as “ridiculous” as herbal medication. Hence there were no takers for the idea in the West and the term “adaptogens” is not included as a term in pharmacological, physiological and clinical practices in the EU.

 

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are dispensed along with or separately in herbal medicinal treatment to control and stabilize physiological processors and in the promotion of the often talked about homeostasis issues. The studies and research conducted by the above countries showed that adaptogens were effective in treating stress which was an increasing phenomenon in many at the time, as it is today.

It was also accepted that for a substance to be identified as an adaptogen it needed to be non-toxic, non-specific and should basically address the physiology of the recipient of the treatment.

Adaptogens are natural herbs that have been consumed for centuries especially in China and other countries of the East. It is this affiliation to such herbs that made the Chinese, Russians and Koreans to pursue studies in this area. It is not something that they picked up from a hat but a practice that has been within these cultures for centuries. The West have been oblivious to this fact hence their callous dismissal.

Herbal medicine or ayurvedic medication has been an Eastern practice and it is through this centuries old treatment process that even the adaptogens were found and developed.One such adaptogen that is popularly known in the West too, is Holy Basil which has been used universally. It could be consumed as a meal or brewed and drunk as a beverage.

There are many such herbs that are used specially in the East that are now gradually moving into the West. After the renaissance of the idea of goodness and wellness propagated about the advantages of herbal medication, the Western population is looking closely at this natural form of treatment, but not the pharmaceutical industry.

 

Do adaptogens work?

All forms of medication which we popularly refer to as Western medicine or medication are those treatments that are researched, developed, tried on guinea pigs, then on man. After so called extensive tests they are introduced to the medical fraternity for dispensing to affected patients, but still groping in the dark till positive results are envisaged. These are medications that are derived and developed artificially in laboratories.

It may work and cure some patients and could fail in others. There is no guarantee that every such medication developed would cure the patient 100% of his or her sickness. Many such medicines have failed to deliver results even after extensive tests. Some have caused death and other complications. This could be because each of us, have different inherent physiologies and some medication may not answer.

In the case of adaptogens they are all natural herbs and they are all non-toxic and non-specific and would not have any allergies if used. They have been used for centuries without any adverse issues and not in one country but in many in the East. They have been tried and tested for centuries and whether it would be effective in the control and treatment of stress is another matter altogether.

The same cannot be said of Western medication which are still being developed in controlled conditions in laboratories and are being tested on guinea pigs. Whereas adaptogens have been tried many a time over centuries on mankind and we could be rest assured that they are safe. If not which most of the world population would have disappeared with the amount of adaptogens they have been consuming over the centuries.

The idea of natural herbs in the treatment of various sicknesses and diseases is anathema to the West as they need to sell their drugs to the world. If the practice of herbal medication becomes popular in the West too as it is in the East, most of the large pharmaceutical companies would have to shut down, whether they would allow that, is anybody’s guess.

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