During this century, unlike anytime in history, man’s activity has resulted in a wide-spread change to our living and working environments. Although there is no contesting the benefits of our modern technological age, there is no denying the stresses it has put on humankind and the planet. Negative results are obvious; pollution from industrial wastes and foreign chemical compounds (drugs, medicine, food additives, etc.). Additionally, noise, vibration, radio waves, artificial illumination, and radiation are constantly increasing. Modern civilization makes high demands of the physical and mental abilities of humans.

Evolution has not prepared humans fast enough to cope with the modern conditions of life. The gap between the rapid development of civilization and man’s natural abilities grows continually. Physical, chemical or emotional stress has been credited with 70-80 percent of disease. Problems like headaches, ulcers, heart disease, sleep disorders, and depression can almost always be traced back to stress. The National Coalition on Immune System Disorders has reported that about 65 million Americans are suffering from inadequate immune system function. An immune system battling against environmental and lifestyle factors such as chemical pollution, drug therapy, malnutrition, smoking, radiation, and so on, and so on. Unfortunately, in modern, industrialized, fast-paced societies, many of these factors are unavoidable. The only option we have is to adapt.

Fortunately, the human physiology is continuously making adjustments to maintain a constant balance inside the body, regardless of external conditions. This state is called “homeostasis.” For example, during a heat wave our bodies adapt to the higher temperature by sweating and widening blood vessels. This adjustment assures that the body temperature is kept at an optimal level.

As stressors on our bodies become severe, difficulty to maintain a balance and homeostasis increases . As a result, we may experience fatigue, depression, sleep disorder and many illnesses. In Russia these illnesses are called “disease of adaptation,” in the United States they are being referred to as “stress-related diseases.”

Our bodies are in great need of something that will aid in helping them adapt. It is vital for our health, well-being, and productivity to preserve our homeostasis. But how do we combat something we have no control of? And with what? Stress is present in so many forms even the pharmaceutical companies haven't developed a drug that combats all forms of stress. Especially one that has absolutely zero side effects.

Amazingly, mother nature has done just this. In the form of adaptogens.