Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism: Elite Herbs and Natural Compounds for Mastering Stress, Aging, and Chronic Disease

Herbal medicine is the practice of using plants to treat chronic and acute illness, and the word adaptogen refers to the "nonspecific, endocrine-regulating, immune-modulating effects of certain plants that increase a person's ability to maintain optimal balance." The holistic approach to health incorporates aspects of spirituality and traditional healing. Yance, an herbalist and nutritionist, feels his philosophy blends the traditional healing arts with the conventional medical approach, and the book lists many references to support this approach. Scientifically minded readers may still be skeptical as medical herbalism remains well outside the mainstream, and those looking for an introduction to herbalism may find this volume too dense for that purpose. The first half is an in-depth overview of wellness as it relates to herbalism, and the second half is a catalog of herbs and their traditional uses.