Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief (Paperback)

by David Winston (Author), Steven Maimes (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Adaptogenic herbs can be most useful in the quest for health in our stressful society. David Winston and Steven Maimes explain and champion the use and benefits of these important herbs."
(James A. Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy )

"This will become a classic, a definitive work on this most important group of medicinal plants, the Adaptogens."
(Rosemary Gladstar, Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center, May 2007 )

"This is a much needed book, an important update to the materia medica of North America, and constitutes important continuing education on a wide variety of new herbs entering into the North American herbal marketplace." (
Paul Bergner, Medical Herbalism, Winter 2007 )

"It's about time a book took on the subject of immune herbs, and this one does an excellent job of explaining why they are so effective at combating stress-induced illness. The text is very easy to read and understand, but still contains the latest scientific research, all well referenced." (
American Herb Association, Vol. 23:1, April 08 )

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press; 1 edition (April 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594771588
• ISBN-13: 978-1594771583
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,935 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Personal Health > Stress > Herbal Stress Remedies
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book on an important class of herbs, April 22, 2007

By	Karen Vaughan "Herblady" (Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The great American herbalist David Winston and researcher Steven Maimes have written an excellent analysis on what is arguably the most important class of herbs for those of us living in a stressed world. The book is clearly written and free of jargon, but will meet the needs both of professional herbalists and those who want to understand this group of herbs more deeply. Adaptogens are herbs that help us work better, which balance our neuroendocrine system as well as our immune system, which make our organs function normally and which increase stamina. Herbs like ginseng, schisandra, eleuthero, ashwaganda, holy basil and lycium (goji) berries are described in useful monographs. Interestingly, the book differentiates adaptogens from similar or overlapping classes of herbs like Chinese qi tonics, Ayurvedic rasayanas, amphoterics which normalize the functions of specific organs, and alteratives which enhance generalized elimination. I highly recommend this book to people at all levels of interest in herbal medicine.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars, April 25, 2007

By	Jamie M. Plante - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a student of traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, I find this book very useful as it highlights many traditional herbs as adaptogens. These herbs are important for health and well-being and the authors have presented a valuable reference book for both practitioner and general reader. The section on herbal adaptogens and monographs on adaptogens are particularly useful.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Herbal Medicine Reflected in Adaptogens book, November 26, 2007

By	MLB "Dr Mary Bove" (Brattleboro, VT) - See all my reviews

I am delighted to hear David Winston's voice reflecting his skill and wisdom as a herbalist in the book Adaptogens Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress. This book brings to the reader the opportunity to learn from both the traditional herbal knowledge on this important subject along with the information coming to the subject from science and modern technology. The book has the flavor of a more traditional herbal bringing in the subtle skill of energies unique to each individual plant which belong to this group and introducing the reader to the concept of formulation of adaptogen plants. The reader can truly begins to experience the Art of Herbal Medicine reflected in David's writing voice.