Discovering Adaptogens

The term “adaptogen” is not yet widely known in the U.S., but it was very familiar to nutritional scientists of the former Soviet Union. Adaptogens are natural substances, found in certain plants, that increase the human body's natural resistance to physical and emotional stress, fatigue, depression and organic illness. Sayan Chaga drinks contains two adaptogens: Siberian chaga and eleutherococcus.

The concept of adaptogens was identified by Nikolai Lazarev in the early 1940’s, and later more closely defined by his protégé, Dr. Israel I. Brekhman and I. V. Dardymov. According to their criteria, which are still generally accepted today, adaptogens:

  1. Show some nonspecific protective effect, increasing bodily resistance to physically, chemically, or biologically noxious agents or factors;
  2. Have a normalizing influence on a pathologic state, independent of the nature of that state; and
  3. Are non-toxic, have no side effects, and do not disturb normal body functions

"Non-specific" means that adaptogens do not act purely on one part of the body.  Their effects are not specific, but rather, they affect the body in general. 

The normalizing effect referred to is an enhancement of the body's natural ability to return to its normal state.  This would include helping a depressed system raise its metabolic rate, or helping an overactive system move to a calmer state. 

These scientists believed that adaptogens enhanced athletic performance by protecting the body from stress, increasing stamina and shortening recovery times. Their athletes reported that it not only improved their performance, but also increased their ability to recover quickly from strenuous workouts. This normalizing action meant that they could increase the number or workouts with shorter breaks in between.

Several case studies of athletic performance with the adaptogen eleutherococcus senticosus found that these herbs really do work.  Also, a few other studies revealed that  mice eating eleutherococcus leaves increased their endurance by 44%, and mice eating eleutherococcus roots increased by 70%, as compared to mice eating no eleutherococcus.

Siberian chaga is also an adaptogen.  All adaptogens have antioxidant content.  However, not all antioxidants are adaptogens.  (For further information on adaptogens, seeAdaptogen Science.)

Sayan™ Chaga, containing Siberian chaga and eleutherococcus, is designed to bring the benefits of adaptogens to the U.S. We are hoping that it will help people to better cope with the stresses of a demanding lifestyle.

Links to articles about adaptogens