Research on adaptogen medicinal plants was started during the 1960s in the former Sovjet Union, at the Institute of Biologically Active Substances in Vladivostok. The research was focused initially on the so-called first generation of adaptogens , like Panax, Acanthopanax and later on the second generation of adaptogen plants , like Leuzea, Rhodiola, Schizandra and Aralia mandschurica. The research results, published mainly in Russian, were first utilized for increasing the stress tolerance of astronauts and the performance of top sportsmen. Later the results have spread to other countries, e.g. Sweden, the East-European countries and the USA. At present the raw material of adaptogen species is collected from the wild (Acanthopanax, Rhodiola, Schizandra) or after introductory research from cultivation (Panax, Leuzea). Preparations based on adaptogen plants are on the market mainly in Russia and in the USA, and marketing them is popular by e-mail as well. In Europe e.g. preparations of Rhodiola rosea are sold in Sweden and in Finland, where it is an endemic plant in the wild and its field cultivation has also been started.