During the Cold War, Soviet scientists began researching herbs that could give their soldiers, athletes, and even champion chess players an edge. They called these herbs adaptogens, because they help the body better adapt to stress. These same herbs were used thousands of years ago in ancient Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to strengthen the weak and prevent illness. Today, people reach for adaptogens such as ashwagandha, ginseng, astragalus, and holy basil for immune system support, clearer thinking, and better sleep. Agatha Noveille, a Georgia-based herbalist, offers creative ways to use adaptogens that go far beyond the pill bottle in her new book, “Adaptogens: 75+ Herbal Recipes and Elixirs to Improve Your Skin, Mood, Energy, Focus, and More.”  It may seem strange at first to take your medicine as a smoothie, popcorn ball, or granola bite, as most of us are conditioned by a modern mentality in which diseases are …