Page
1, 2,
3, 4, Notes
Phase
II
The second stage of building adaptive energy begins with a rejuvenating formula,
thereby optimizing both physical and mental performance. Such a rejuvenating
formula would include herbs that strengthen the body; improve the capacity
to carry out more intense undertakings; promote healing and recovery with
sustained results; and increase energy and endurance. The formula might include
primary adaptogens such as Korean ginseng root (r), Rhaponticum (r), Aralia
manchurica (r), and Pantocrene (all described below). Their effects may be
enhanced by including fresh milky oat seed, licorice, and cordyceps mushroom.
Milky oat seed nourishes and balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic
nervous system.35 Licorice acts as a synergist, because it moderates and
harmonizes the characteristics of other plants. A number of pharmacological
effects of licorice are known, which include anti-inflammatory, antiviral,
antibacterial, and others. Cordyceps, like other medicinal mushrooms, has
several compounds including polysaccharides, that contribute an immunomodulating
effect.36
Pharmacology of Phase II Primary Adaptogens
Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Panax Ginseng (PG) restores yin and yang, but more so yang, as opposed
to American Ginseng. Historically, PG has been used to increase longevity
of
men and women.
The Chinese called it the "dose of immortality."194 Panax
Ginseng extract (PGE) enhances the ability of humans to withstand a
variety of
stresses, including workload, pollution, physical and mental stresses,
radiation, and
exercise exhaustion.34 PGE is well-known for its anti-fatigue and anti-aging
effects.6 Ginsenosides, as well as other compounds in ginseng, have
been shown to inhibit the proliferation of tumors induced by various
chemicals
and have
demonstrated some overall antitumor activity. When PGE was tested in
animal models, a reduction in cancer incidence and multiplicity at
various sites
was noted. PGE and its chemical constituents have been tested for their
inhibiting effect on putative carcinogenesis mechanisms (e.g., cell
proliferation and
apoptosis, immunosurveillance, angiogenesis); in most experiments,
inhibitory effects were found.66
PGE has been shown to enhance the overall activity of the immune system,
including antibody response, Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, interferon
production,
and the proliferative and phagocytotic ability of the immune system.37
Panax has a sparing effect on the adrenal cortex, mediated through the
anterior pituitary
and ACTH release. Response to stress is quicker and more efficient, and
feedback control is more effective, so that when stress decreases, glucocorticoid
levels
fall more rapidly to normal.22,23
Rhaponticum (Leuzea carthimoides)
The root and underground stems of Rhaponticum are used as a powerful
adaptogen, possessing specific anabolic actions that prevent the catabolic
state seen
with stress. The biological activity of this plant is determined by the
phytoecdisones: ecdisterone and incosterone.64 Research has demonstrated
that the phytoecdisteroids
from Rhaponticum extract (RE) exert an appreciable influence on metabolic
processes and improve adaptability to stress. Under their influence,
marked protein anabolism
occurs. RE increases ATP production in the liver, enabling a more efficient
rate of oxidative phosphorylation. RE increases the resistance of hepatocytes
to toxins and possesses the capacity for blocking processes of free-radical
oxidation.65 RE improves physical work capacity and coordination of movement,
increases athletic performance, and builds lean muscle mass.62
Known effects of RE include loss of body fat and increase of muscle tissue,
maintenance of stable glycogen and macroergic phosphates in the skeletal
muscles during high workload demand, and improved vascular perfusion
of muscles and
brain.38 RE has a normalizing effect on the central nervous and cardiovascular
systems. RE has pronounced tonic and adaptogenic effects, increasing
dynamic work capacity, activating sexual behavior, and improving adaptive
abilities
with respect to environmental stresses. In human studies, RE has been
shown to improve sleep, appetite, mood, and work performance under stressful
conditions.63
Manchurian Thorn Tree (Aralia manchurica)
Aralia manchurica, commonly referred to as Manchurian Thorn Tree, is
a well-known adaptogenic plant used in Russia that has particular benefits
in normalizing
glucose and increasing stamina and cognitive ability. Aralia species
contain some ginseng-like triterpenoid saponins (Aralosides A, B, and
C), which probably
contribute to Aralia's ability to increase athletic performance. The
extract of Aralia was officially approved for therapeutic use in the
USSR, as a tonic, in 1957.192
Soviet research on Aralia manchurica (AM) liquid extract has shown that
its stimulating action on the central nervous system is higher than Panax
ginseng
and Eleutherococcus.48 AM is effective against colds, flus, and nocturnal
enuresis, and protects from radiation. AM extract is employed as an adjuvant
in the treatment
of disorders of the nervous system, as a stimulant to increase energy,
increase work capacity, and aid patients recovering from severe illnesses.39,50
AM has
been shown to increase long-term memory.39,40,41 AM prevents lipid metabolism
disorders and decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while simultaneously
increasing the production of phospholipids.46 AM extract prevents stress-induced
gastric ulcers and inhibits gastric acid secretion.47
Pantocrine "Pantokrin" (Cornu cervi
parvum)
Pantokrin™ is a specific Pantocrine product manufactured by a
Russian State Pharmaceutical company and is officially approved by
the Ministry
of Health. Pantokrin is a purified, aqueous-alcohol extract optioned
from the
young Siberian spotted deer (stage three, unossified). Stage-three
antlers are proven to have the highest medicinal effects.42 Laboratory
analysis
show that deer velvet contains an amazing comprehensive nutritional
profile including
collagen, amino acids, essential fatty acids, minerals, trace minerals,
and other functional proteins, all vital components for human metabolic
function.
In TCM, Pantocrine is classified as a kidney tonic that fortifies yang.
Pantocrine has shown to increase work capacity, improve sleep, strength,
appetite, and
decrease the rate of muscle fatigue. It possesses anti-catabolic action
that is invaluable to reduce wasting and debility. Pantocrine increases
production
of red and white blood cells and accelerates healing and recovery.43,44,45
In an extensive series of studies over a period of 50 years until the
1980s, the Russians systematically recorded the beneficial effects of
Pantocrine and
developed ideas as to why it was successful. The Russians believe that
deer velvet is a true tonic, capable of vitalizing the body in a number
of ways.
For example, their research shows that the running performance of athletes
improves after taking Pantocrine and that the stamina of experimental
animals improves. Their results also show that deer velvet is useful
to heal wounds
after surgery and could aid in the recovery of trauma patients.
Dr. Arkady Koltun, MD, PhD, Chairman of the Medical Committee for the
Russian Bodybuilding Federation, conducted research for many years into
anabolic agents
that can improve performance, strength, and musculature in Russian athletes.
In studies with Russian kayakers, weightlifters, bodybuilders, and power
lifters, Dr. Koltun found that Pantocrine has a myotropic (increases
muscular strength)
effect. He also found that it has a powerful neurotropic (nerve strengthening)
ability and is beneficial in treating infectious diseases, fatigue, and
hypertension.
Dr. Koltun also mentioned that one of the most significant attributes
of velvet deer antler can be found in the discovery of Dr. Ivan Kinia,
who co-authored
several studies from the Siberian institution known as Blagoveshemska
in 1989. Dr Kinia's studies showed that among the main bioactive substances
in
Pantocrine are the anti-inflammatory compounds that assist in the regulation
of prostaglandins.191 Medicinal Mushrooms as Adaptogens
Mushrooms such as Cordyceps and Reishi have traditionally been used as medicines
and/or tonics in many parts of the world for thousands of years for their
health-promoting effects. In recent years, medicinal mushrooms have been
used in cancer treatments to counteract the toxic effects of chemotherapy
and radiation therapy.
Medicinal mushrooms have several compounds including polysaccharides, polysaccharide
peptides, nucleosides, triterpenoids, alkaloids, and compound structures yet-to-be-identified,
all contributing an immunomodulating effect referred to as Host Defense Potentiators
(HDP) and/or Biological Response Modifiers (BRM).
Cordyceps Mushroom (Cordyceps sinensis)
Cordyceps is considered to be one of the most valuable medicinal herbs used
traditionally in China, equaling Ginseng as a restorative tonic. In Chinese
medicine, it is classified as a kidney and lung tonic. Although Cordyceps tonifies
both yin and yang, it predominately tonifies yang and is used to treat impotence
as well as soreness and weakness of the lower back (deficient kidney yang).
The vast array of scientific studies on Cordyceps mushroom extract (CME) show
that the main activities are oxygen-free radical scavenging,73,82 anticancer,74-78
antisenescence (inhibits aging of the brain), endocrine-modulating, hypolipidemic,73
and antiatherosclerotic.73
CME restores sexual function (replenishes sperm, increases testosterone)81
and is antiasthmatic.79 It also shows significant beneficial effects
on the nervous (stress-reducing effect), respiratory, hepatic, cardiovascular,73 and
immune systems (increases IL-2, interferon, NK-cells, and TNF production).67-70,82 CME
improves glucose metabolism80 and is used to treat immunological diseases,
inflammatory conditions, cancer, and diseases of the kidney and liver (being
protective, as well as regenerative).67,71,72
Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi has been used in TCM for at least 2,000 years for deficiency of vital
energy. It is used to increase longevity and has been highly prized as an elixir
of immortality. In TCM, Reishi is called Ling Zhi which means "spirit
plant." Reishi contains several major constituents, including sterols,
coumarin, mannitol, polysaccharides, and triterpenoids called ganoderic acids.83,84
Scientific studies on the beneficial actions of Reishi extract demonstrate
the following effects:
- oxygen free-radical scavenging
- antisenescence (inhibits aging
of the brain)
- hypolipidemic (cholesterol lowering)
- antiatherosclerotic (inhibits
platelet aggregation)
- cardiovascular-regulating
- hypotensive
- immunomodulating (including an increase of white
blood cell count, platelets, hemoglobin, and various tumor-fighting
cells)
- liver protective
- hypoglycemic
- stress-reducing
- prevents altitude sickness 88
Reishi's overall effects could be
described as regulatory and beneficial to the restoration of homeostasis.
Reishi improves energy and sleep
and conserves and promotes good health. Reishi aids in the treatment
of age-related illnesses such as hypertension – two controlled
clinical trials have found Reishi could lower blood pressure significantly,
compared to a placebo or controls85,86 – coronary heart disease,
and cancer, as well as hyperlipemia, angina pectoris, chronic bronchitis,
hepatitis, and leukopenia (low WBC).87,88 Page 1, 2,
3, 4, Notes
|
