The term adaptogen was introduced into scientific literature by Russian toxicologist Nikolay Lazarev in 1957 to refer to ‘substances that increase the state of non-specific resistance’ in stress. However, adaptogens have been used under different names in traditional herbal medicines for thousands of years.

There are over 90 kinds of herbs and mushrooms classed as adaptogens and they each do something a bit different, or act in different ways. However, they all help the body resist stress, be it physical, emotional or environmental, and find optimal balance by promoting homeostasis.