Tonics/ adaptogens
ADAPTOGENIC HERBS
Nature offers us a unique category of medicinal herbs that increase the body's natural resistance to stress (be it physical, chemical, psychological, biological or radiation stress), called "adaptogens". They are truly a divine gift, helping us to protect and rejuvenate our bodies as well as keep our minds balanced and alert. They show outstanding protective and immune-system enhancing capacities. Some of their additional effects are: energize and relax the body, increase mental focus, increase feelings of well-being, increase stamina and strength, decrease inflammation, improve sexual potency, shorten recovery after physical or mental/psychological exertion, promote deep and restful sleep at night.
An adaptogen is defined as an entirely non-toxic herb or plant that supports the body to adapt to stressful circumstances by increasing its non-specific resistance to internal or external stress factors. Adaptogens have normalizing effects on the whole body rather than on any one specific organ. They help the entire organism gain balance (also called homeostasis). By helping the body to achieve optimal equilibrium between all its systems, adaptogens promote healthful longevity.
About 70 to 80% of illnesses are considered to be caused by high levels of stress or stress endured over too long periods of time.
When we are exposed to stress, our organism responds in 3 stages:
During the 1st phase, the alarm stage, the body exposed to a new stress factor suddenly releases stress hormones (corticosteroids and catecholamines) which induce the fight-or-flight response as a survival mechanism. If the stress is too intense (like high levels of nuclear radiation), it can damage the body systems immediately and permanently. But if the body if able to adapt (which adaptogens greatly help the body do), it will progress to the adaptation stage (2nd phase) during which the body learns to safely tolerate the stress factor and increase its resistance to it. However, if the body fails to adapt to the stress and gives up, it will go into the exhaustion stage (3rd phase) where disease symptoms appear and progress quickly. This can happen after months or years of stress exposure. If the organism is capable of keeping stress under control (stay in the adaptation phase), then it may never progress to the exhaustion phase. This is why the use of adaptogens is so crucial.
The extensive research by Dr Brekhman focusing on the plants of Siberia showed that, due to the incredibly harsh climate there, the plants themselves had adapted and evolved, ultimately producing powerful compounds that have now been proven to be very beneficial to humans and all mammals in their ability to combat the effects of stress and develop their innate healing powers.
The result of these studies was the creation of a powerful Human Performance Formula that was then declared to be a military secret by the Soviet Government. This formula was provided to their elite military units, top Kremlin officials, cosmonauts, and the Soviet Olympic athletes. In fact, this formula has since been attributed to the incredible Soviet domination in world athletics, especially the Olympics, at the time.
Thank you to Dr Lazarev and Dr Brekhman, from whom some of this material on adaptogenic plants has been borrowed.
Here is a list of twelve of the most powerful adaptogens known:
1. Noni fruit
Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is and has been the most popular herb of the South Pacific, also used in China, India and the Caribeans. This peculiar and somewhat strange white fruit is perhaps the very best adaptogen on the planet.
Noni contains very high levels of Vitamin C and tons of other important nutrients.
Noni has scientifically been proven to reduce pain, reduce inflammation, cleanse the intestinal tract, purify the blood, accelerate the regeneration of cells, fight many bacteria including E. coli, stimulate T cell production, improve cellular oxygenation and may inhibit cancerous growth. Noni is also known as a treatment for diabetes, asthma, arthritis, hypertension, skin infection, intestinal infection and depression.
One study showed that Noni fruit constituents peak in the blood approximately two hours after ingestion and start declining after four hours, yet they are still active after 12 hours. Therefore, for optimal benefits, Noni is best taken several times per day in staggered or divided doses rather than just once a day. Like all adaptogens, it is recommended to take Noni on a daily ongoing basis as has been done traditionally throughout history.
Our Noni powder comes from a small organic production in Hawaii and we believe it is one of the very best quality available.
2. Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus / Siberian Ginseng)
This herb actually has as many beneficial properties as common Ginseng, but without being as stimulating. It has been extensively researched and tested on humans, and has proved to be
very effective and safe. Siberian Ginseng contains seven active substances, referred to as eleutheroside A, B, C, D, E, F and G. These active ingredients are specific to Eleuthero and are not present in the Panax species (American, Chinese, Korean or Japanese Ginseng). Eleutherococcus has numerous clinically-proven beneficial properties, such as relief of insomnia, various types of neuroses, hypertension, hypotension, acute pyelonephritis (kidney problems), chronic bronchitis, and even of cancer. In numerous clinical trials it has been shown that Siberian Ginseng can increase the ability of humans to withstand many adverse physical conditions such as extra workload, motion, noise, or heat. It increases mental alertness and work output, improves the quality of work produced under stressful conditions, and improves athletic performance.
3. Rhodiola Rosea (Golden root)
One of the greatest things Rhodiola does is enhance mental and physical performance. It has been widely used by Russian athletes to increase energy. Rhodiola is cardio-protective, normalizing the heart-rate immediately after intense exercise. It improves nervous system and mental functions such as memory by increasing blood-supply to the muscles and brain, and also
increases protein synthesis. Rhodiola rosea has extraordinary pharmacological
properties as an anti-mutagen and anti-depressive agent. In this respect Rhodiola Rosea is much more powerful than other adaptogens. It appears that the extracts of Rhodiola rosea have the higher capacity to counteract gene mutations induced by various mutagens (up to about 90% inhibition in some cases). The anti-depressive and anti-stress activity of Golden root is higher than that of St. John's Wort, Ginkgo biloba and Panax Ginseng. In one clinical trial 150 individuals suffering from depression took Rhodiola rosea extracts for a period of one month. At the end of that period two-thirds of them had full remission of clinical manifestations of depression, and had become more active and more sociable. Daytime weakness and general weakness disappeared. Furthermore, Rhodiola rosea is four times less toxic than Panax ginseng. The main active components that are responsible for the extraordinary potency of Rhodiola rosea are rosavin, salidroside, rosin, and rosarin. Quality Rhodiola rosea extract should contain at least 2% rosavin and 0.8% salidroside. The researches of Russian scientists conducted in Siberia proved the antitumoral properties of Rhodiola rosea. The most important is the fact that the application of Rhodiola rosea decreases the probability of metastatic spreading.
4. Maral Root (Rhaponticum carthamoides / Leuzeae)
Rhaponticum is an old folk medicine for fatigue. It has been traditionally used as a stimulant, for overcoming impotence, and to assist convalescence from long illness. Russian and Eastern researchers have found that Rhaponticum has a beneficial effect on memory and learning, and can help break addictive behaviors. It increases working capacity in tired skeletal muscles, relieves neurosis, and benefits anabolic and adaptogenic processes. It enhances speed, strength, and functioning of the muscle system. Rhaponticum carthamoides has been used by Eastern Bloc athletes as a natural anabolic, adaptogen, and bio-stimulant.
5. Astragalus
6. Power-mushrooms: Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, Agaricus blazei
7. Ashwagandha
8. Maca
9. Açai berry
10. Goji berries
11. Schizandra berry
12. Licorice
Studies show that the powerful adaptogenic compounds found in these plants can vary in strength and bioavailability depending in part on the region of the world in which they grow. For instance, the Rhodiola Rosea that grows in Siberia is far more potent than the same plant that grows in Tibet or China. The potency is directly affected by the altitude, climate and soil conditions of the region as well as the time and method of harvesting.