This thesis and the articles within are exclusively published here with the consent of Dr. Schar. .......By the way Dr. Schar, If you noticed I did not publish the whole thesis. It is missing a few chapters.....on purpose?......but of course.   I think I wil reveal them when you invite me to share your greenhouse and laboratory.  Any how.....Every one else enjoy......................

Submitted by Douglas Dwight Schar to the
University of Exeter as a dissertation towards the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy by advanced
study in Complementary Health Studies, 11 May
2006.

Abstract

Background
Economic and social realities are generating new interest in disease prevention as the cost of
disease treatment is escalating beyond budgetary limits. Indeed, there are urgent economic and social reasons to invest in disease prevention. Stress is known to exacerbate disease and, in our modern fast past culture, anti?stress drugs are of great interest. Adaptogens are a class of drugs reputed to raise resistance to stress and thereby prevent disease. Presently, only a few adaptogens have ever been identified and investigated. This class of drug is not well understood and current Adaptogen research is aimless.

Objective
Through a historical review of relevant medical traditions, the aim is to reconsider the concept of the adaptogen and the tonic, to identify potential new adaptogens, to develop a better understanding of these drugs, to determine useful areas of future adaptogen research, and to identify appropriate clinical applications for adaptogens.

Design                                                                                                                        Three former medical traditions are considered. 1) The work of Hans Selye on the impact of stressthat posited a new approach to the treatment of illness. 2) The work of Russian scientist I.I. Brekhman who developed the “adaptogen concept” and demonstrated that adaptogenic drugs could be found amongst drugs labelled “tonic” by traditional medical systems. 3) The work of the Eclectic medical movement of North America. The Eclectic materia medica, a major source of traditional tonics, is reviewed to identify tonic drugs and a criterion is applied, based on the work of Brekhman and involving the insights of Selye, to identify potential adaptogens from within this pool of tonic drugs.

Results
The Eclectic materia medica contained 199 tonic drugs. By subjecting these 199 tonics to the adaptogen criterion, 67 tonics manifested some features of adaptogenic activity. Of those, 44 clearly had reputations that fit the adaptogenic definition.

Discussion
There are specific potential roles for the adaptogenic drugs identified in this exercise and various issues that would arise in their application.

Conclusion
This project suggests that traditional medical systems may be a useful source of new treatment strategies. A comprehensive examination of previously identified adaptogens and the newly identified adaptogens suggest that adaptogens could raise resistance to stress and play a role in disease prevention. Thus a novel extension of the role of medicines may be possible. Though adaptogen research is in its infancy, it shows promise. However, much research must be accomplished if the adaptogens’ potential is to be realised.