Adaptogens

Lazarev 1947

In naturopathy and so-called alternative medicine, the term adaptogen(s) stands for a new group of substances of "natural origin" that are suitable for increasing the body's defenses and thus increasing resistance to stress and strain.

According to a generally accepted definition by the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA ), adaptogens are intended to improve the body's resistance to a wide range of adverse biological, chemical and physical factors. In contrast to tonics and stimulants, an increased working capacity due to adaptogens should not decrease again after discontinuation. Furthermore, adaptogens should be well tolerated and free of side effects.

Only a few phytotherapeutics worldwide meet the EMA criteria, including:

• Schisandra chinensis (Chinese cleft basket)
• Eleutherococci radix (taiga root)
• Ginseng radix (ginseng root)
• Rhodiola roseae radix (rose root).

The following load moments and influencing factors can cause a reduction in the resistance of the organism:

• Environmental factors (external) such as cold, heat, noise, biological and chemical pollutants
• Recurrent infections (recurrent or chronic rhinosinusitis, recurrent or chronic bronchitis, recurrent infections of the male and female reproductive organs), especially in children
• Stressful psychological factors (internal) such as anxiety, depression (stress in a broader sense).
• High physical stress e.g. due to sporting competitions and training
• An adaptogen achieves a normalizing biological effect, regardless of the type and extent of the previous pathological influence.

Biochemically, adaptogens belong to very different substance groups. These include: flavonoids, lignans, polyphenols, terpenes with the subgroups triterpenes and saponins, polysaccharides.

It is striking that the phytotherapeutics used as adaptogens contain different active ingredients. The adaptogenic effect can therefore not be attributed to a uniform group of active ingredients or a uniform principle of action.

In a broader sense, the following phytotherapeutics are also classified as adaptogens:

• Pokeweed (Phytolaca americana - contained in Tonsipret®)
• Dyer's bugloss (Baptisia tinctoria - contained in Esberitox®)
• Echinacea(Echinacea purpureae radix, Echinacea pallida - contained in Echinacea Ratiopharm® Tbl., Esberitox®, Lymphozil pro® Tbl.)
• Tree of life tips
• Mistletoe preparations (Lektinol® solution for injection)
• Rye pollen (Cernilton®)
• Thyme herb
• Horseradish root
• Tropaeoli maji herba (nasturtium herb)
• Camomile flowers
• Elderflower
• lovage

1. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/reflection-paper-adaptogenic-concept_en.pdf