Product Description
The definitive guide to adaptogenic herbs, formerly known as “tonics,” that counter the effects of age and stress on the body • Reveals how adaptogens increase the body’s resistance to adverse influences • Provides a history of the use of these herbal remedies and the actions, properties, preparation, and dosage for each herb We all deal with stress every day, and every day our bodies strive to adapt and stay balanced and healthy. In Adaptogens, authors David Winston and Steven Maimes provide a comprehensive look into adaptogens, non-toxic herbs such as ginseng, eleuthero, and licorice, that produce a defensive response to stress in our bodies. Formerly known as rejuvenating herbs or tonics, adaptogens help the body to “adapt” to the many influences it encounters. They increase stamina and counter the normal effects of aging and thus are becoming important tools in sports medicine and in the prevention and treatment of chronic fatigue and other stress-related disorders. Winston and Maimes present the historical uses of these herbal remedies in India, Russia, China, and the Americas and explain how they work and why they are so effective at combating stress-induced illness. Monographs for each adaptogen also present the latest scientific research and include the origin, traditional use, actions, properties, preparation, and dosage for each herb.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 14 reviews)

Highly Recommended by Laura De Giorgio (Canada)

5 Stars
October 08, 2009
I have a wide selection of books related to herbs, but this is the only one that I know of that deals specifically with adaptogens, and since everyone could benefit from boosting his immune system and helping the body to effectively deal with stress, this is one of those books that may help anyone to enjoy better health. The main adaptogens covered in this book are American ginseng, amla, ashwagandha, asian ginseng, astragalus, cordyceps, dang shen, eleuthero, guduchi, he shou wu, holy basil, jiaogulan, licorice, lycium, prince seng, reishi, rhaponticum, rhodiola, shisandra, shatavari, shilajit - interestingly enough most of them seem to be either part of Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine, and there is not much mention of herbs that may be traditionally used in western herbalism. With the herbs covered in this book, he author has listed the history of the herb, where the herb grows, modern uses of the herb, dosage and safety, and there is a mention of few related studies. Herbs are also grouped in relation to different health issues, so you'll find herbs that may help with stress, those that may be helpful for breathing problems, herbs that may be helpful with athletic performance, those that may be helpful when dealing with cardio-vascular problems, those that may be helpful with musculo-skeletal problems, and so on - though if you do have any such problems, you may benefit from also looking into other herbs that are not mentioned in this book. The author has added a small section on additional herbs that are helpful as nerve tonics - like chamomile, passionflower, skullcap, lemon balm and few others; and a section on herbal nootropics like bacopa, gotu kola, bhringaraj (which is otherwise popular for boosting hair growth), and few others. Included are some popular herbal formulations from Traditional Chinese Medicine (bu zong yi qi tang, sheng mai san, etc.), and from Ayurveda (chyavanprash, and triphala), as well as some recipes for incorporating adapogenic herbs into food or making teas with combination of different herbs. On a side note, there is a minimal mention on any herbs which have been traditionally used by western herbalists that will help you to boost your immune system, many of which you may find in your local grocery store, and add to food like turmeric, oregano, thyme and other spices, or make tea out of cinnamon, ginger and cloves - as will garlic and lemon, but they are beyond the scope of this book. Perhaps the greatest benefit of this book is that it covers herbs that many people in the west may be less familiar with.

good for beginners and beyond by D&D

4 Stars
July 28, 2009
This book is by a highly knowledgeable herbalist but can be easily understood and used even by laymen with no previous herbal background. Adaptogens are explained repeatedly in different ways, including as a general tonic, for balancing hormones and other body systems, to help build up reserves in the body, and increase our ability to adapt to, and avoid damage from, the environment. Who, in today's world, wouldn't want all this? As an informative and helpful starting point to such herbs, I could want nothing better than this book. You could pick and choose from the 40 or so herbs that are so well-described here and, with a little luck, get some benefit. For all these reasons I have given this book 4 stars. Unfortunately, for me, it has a fatal flaw: it doesn't really seem to have an integrating philosophy or central principle by which I could work out where to start and how to take further steps. It is a sort of dictionary. You pick any one symptom (perhaps night sweats) or medical term (like cholesterol) and there are a number of possibly useful herbs. You might shortlist several and end up trying one of them, or combining several because they are said to work better that way, but it's basically guesswork. Too many books on nutrition and nutritional supplements (vitamins, minerals, fats, etc) are like this - homeopathy and herbs too. They lack any focus on causation, there is no consideration of a unifying thread or starting point which, when addressed, could clear a number of seemingly different symptoms. (Homeopathy claims to do this but why, for example, is ignatia overwhelmingly given for just one symptom - grief?) Those who have studied Chinese Traditional Medicine (CTM) understand my point. CTM looks for, and addresses, a root cause for all the symptoms presented by a specific person. Too many health books, just like the conventional medical system, see patients as a collection of parts, or of diagnoses, to be fixed by various specialists or a number of different herbs or nutritional supplements, for example. I would like to see more health books "boiling down" to main, or "umbrella", causes and issues. The body is not a machine such as a car, in which replacing the battery (a kidney or a heart in a human) or adding something (oil into a car or putting a few selected adaptogens or vitamins into a body) will put it back on the road in good working order.

Well written and researched by K. Clute (Maryland)

5 Stars
May 15, 2009
Well written, even for lay-person, trying to sort through the complexities of adaptogens. Understanding herb is no simple task, let alone adaptogens & their properties as compared to all the herbs and "super foods" info saturating the market. As a peds Practitioner and novice to herbal medicine it is a great resource. I would highly recommend it. Blessings, Kayleen Clute, MSN, CRNP-Peds

Adaptogens: Ancient Wisdom........ by Anthony C. Defrancisco (http://defrancisco.cyberwize.com)

5 Stars
May 04, 2009
As a health culturist for over 45 years, I have used and tried just about every supplement, nutrient, health food, whole food, fruits, vegetables and any other healthy manner of building my health possible. I am excited about adaptogens. Adaptogens respond to what the body needs, creating balance, recovery and mental clarity. This amounts to an enormous nutritional advantage in a world with constant stress. Adaptogens support the body's natural processes so that you can feel and perform at your peak level. I have been using adaptogens since last January and the results have been dramatic. My immune system is stronger, aches and pains have disappeared, I sleep easier at night and have more energy in the day. Adaptogens are for real. Highly recommend this book and adaptogens for anyone who wants SUPER HEALTH & WELLNESS.

An Herbalists Opinion by Barbara Duro Mark Duro (Sandwich, Illinois)

4 Stars
November 19, 2008
I've had a keen interest in the adaptogens for a few years now, so was looking forward to reading this book. David Winston wrote the book geared for the general public, unfortunatly that leaves out the pharmacognosy that I rely on, which in turn, makes some on their applications sound like hype. In spite of this, I highly recommend this book! Very little is known about this catagory of herbs, and its only since the Russians have been integrated into the international database (2005) that we have any hard scientific evidence of the properties of this most important group of herbs. An excellent book on a most complicated subject.

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