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1, 2, 3, 4, Notes
Phase
I
The first stage of a revitalizing formula is characterized by the
building of vitality and essence and would include specific primary
adaptogens
that are deeply nutritive and enhance the immune system. Herbs
such as Eleutherococcus root and leaf (r & l), Schisandra (seed),
American ginseng (r), Rhodiola (r), and Ashwagandha (r) tonify and
protect all major organ systems and are especially effective in enabling
the body's ability to resist and adapt to stress.12-14 Their
effects may be enhanced by companion adaptogenic herbs – such
as hawthorn leaf, flower and berry, green tea, and turmeric – which,
due to their high phenolic content, demonstrate remarkable prophylactic
abilities.15 A synergizing formula such as this will promote
overall optimal health and well-being.
Pharmacology of Phase I Primary Adaptogens
Eleutherococcus
senticosus root & leaf (Eleuthero 1:1 RL)
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Eleuthero) is the most widely researched adaptogen
(see Sidebar) and has been shown to be highly effective in improving our adaptive
capability to respond to adverse conditions. Human studies indicate that wild
Eleuthero extract (Russian 1:1 concentrate) increases the ability of humans
to withstand many adverse physical conditions (i.e., heat, noise, motion, work
load increase, exercise, and decompression) and improves mental alertness and
work output, especially under stressful conditions.16,19,20 Eleuthero exerts
a strong immunomodulatory influence improving non-specific immune defense.
Russian researchers found that the Eleuthero leaf was more energizing than
the root and was more effective at assisting in glucose and insulin control,
whereas the root enhances endurance and sustains energy more effectively than
the leaf. Research done including the root and leaf together has shown a wide
range of benefits beyond the root extract alone.7,17,18
In 1962, Eleutherococcus, the prototype adaptogen, was declared an official
herbal medicine by the USSR Ministry of Health and was included in the National
Drug Guide, the pharmacopoeia of the USSR.
Sidebar: Studies on #1 Adaptogen for Stress
Protection:
Testing was performed on factory workers, long-distance truck drivers, sailors
on long voyages, and military personnel under severe stress. Stress studies
conducted with this new adaptogen, Eleutherococcus, included the following:
Study: Soviet Olympic teams and other sports teams during challenging
training and competition.
Result: Improved stamina and recovery, increased oxygen intake, and
better performance.19
Study: 1,000 mining workers in Siberia.
Result: Incidence of cases during influenza epidemic dropped by two-thirds.5
Study: 1,200 long-distance truck drivers.
Result: Improved productivity; the number of influenza cases during
an epidemic was reduced by 30%.20
Study: 14,000 auto factory workers.
Result: 30% decrease in total reported symptoms; 40% drop in symptoms
of high blood pressure and heart disease.20
Study: 107 patients receiving anti-cancer drugs for gastric cancer.
Result: 50% less damage to immunity, 50% decrease in drug dosage.9
Study: 60,000 people conducted over a ten-year period at the Volzhsky
Automobile Factory in Tolyatti, Russia.
Result: Absence and disability
were reduced by 30% after taking Eleutherococcus. A 40% decrease
in cases of influenza and a general improvement in health
were also noted.196,197
Study: 655 healthy men, all of whom were employed as flight personnel
(pilots, navigators, radio operators).
Result: Eleutherococcus, Aralia, and Schisandra accelerated recovery
processes following tiresome flight schedules. The subjects physiological
state improved significantly within three hours of a flight to levels
even higher than prior to the flight.197
Schisandra Seed (Shisandra chinensis)
Schisandra (fruit and seed) has a long history of folkloric use in China, Japan,
Korea, Tibet, and Russia. Most of the Russian research done on Schisandra,
as an adaptogen, has been done on the seed extract rather than the fruit.
Russian scientists proved that Schisandra extract should be prepared from
seeds rather than from the whole fruit, since the organic acid in the fruit
can ruin the active substances of the seeds.184,185 In the US, the majority
of Schisandra extract sold is from the fruit, not the seed, although in TCM,
it is the fruit that is typically used as a medicine.
Schisandra seed has a stimulatory effect on the central nervous system, without
being excitatory, and enhances both mental and physical capabilities. Schisandra
seed is widely used for the treatment of stress-induced nervous system exhaustion
and fatigue, insomnia, weakness, depression, forgetfulness, vision problems,
diarrhea, and chemical toxicity.184,185 Various ethanol soluble lignans found
in the seed and fruit have powerful liver protective properties against a variety
of chemical toxins.21,22,23,202
Using Schisandra seed extract (SSE) increased adaptive capability of flight
attendants carrying out long, non-stop flights (seven to nine hours).186 For
athletes, SSE has shown to not only enhance performance, but also facilitate
recovery both in human and animal studies (race horses).188 One-hundred-and-forty
male distance runners were split into three groups. First –control, given
glucose; second – given banned stimulant phenamine ("speed");
and third –given bioactive compound Schisandrin. Surprisingly, Schisandrin
expressed a stronger stimulative action then phenamine. Seventy-four percent
of the runners given natural remedy ran their best time on 3000 meters versus
59% in the group given phenamine.187
Schisandra produces CNS stimulation, which results in improved physical and
mental capacity, motor coordination, and efficiency. At the same time, this
herb does not cause an excitatory response like synthetic stimulants such as
amphetamine or caffeine.187,189 SSE exerts a strong stimulating influence among
test subjects who displayed a great improvement in reading comprehension, aptitude,
and speed.198
Taking SSE increases sharpness of sight and widening of the borders of the
eyesight field, both in people with normal sight and patients with myoptic
chorioretinitis pigmentary degeneration of the retina and atrophy of the optic
nerve and near-sightedness of high degree.190 Schisandra causes an increase
in adaptation to darkness in 90% of the test subjects.184
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium)
Ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine in Oriental countries for more
than 5,000 years. In Chinese, the word "ginseng" translates directly
as "man essence." The name Panax is derived from the Greek Pan
("all") and akos ("remedy"), clearly reflecting the
root's reputation as a panacea or cure-all. It is the most valued herb
widely used in China, as well as other Asian countries. There are more than
500 scientific papers published on ginseng throughout the world. There are
several types of ginseng, including Chinese, Korean (Panax), which can come
as white or red, and American (Panax quinquefolium).194
American ginseng (AG), highly revered throughout Asia, is "cool" in
nature, making it better for people with excess heat, and is nourishing to
both the yin and yang. It is predominately a kidney/lung yin tonic in Traditional
Chinese Medicine.24,25 The Eclectic Physicians used AG as a soothing nervine
energy tonic specifically for cerebral anemia. It is a very important remedy
in nervous dyspepsia and mental exhaustion from overwork.26 Its qualities are
easily dissipated by heat, therefore it should be used as a fresh fluid extract.
It should be obtained only from wild or woods-grown sources, and not farmed.26,27
Recent research has found AG to be very useful for attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD).28 It facilitates hemodynamic balance 29 and glucose and insulin
balance.30
Golden Arctic Root (Rhodiola rosea)
Based on many years of Russian research, the root of Rhodiola rosea, commonly
named "Arctic root," rivals Eleutherococcus as an important adaptogen.
The active constituents believed to be responsible for the adaptogenic qualities
in Russian Rhodiola rosea include a group of unique phenylpropanoids called "rosavins," including
rosavin, rosin, and rosarin.193 These compounds are not found in
other Rhodiola species. Extensive research on Rhodiola rosea extract (RRE),
manufactured in
Russia and harvested from the wild in Siberia, substantiates its superior effectiveness
over other species as well as Rhodiola rosea extracts. This particular variety
of Rhodiola is typically available in the market from culture-grown sources,
which are inferior. True Russian Rhodiola RRE is standardized to a 3:1 ratio
of rosavins (2.5%-3.0%) to salidroside (.8-1.0%). Salidroside or rhodioloside
is a phenylethanol derivative.201 RRE exhibits profound protective
effects to the nervous and endocrine system and possesses antifatigue, immune-enhancing,
anticarcinogenic, antimetastatic, chemo-protective, antioxidative, and antimutagenic
activity. In Middle Asia, Rhodiola rosea was considered a valuable commodity,
because it was the most effective remedy for cold and flu prevention as well
as treatment.195
A number of human and animal studies on Rhodiola rosea extract have shown that
it increases physical work capacity and dramatically shortens recovery time
between bouts of high-intensity exercise. These studies include normal people
as well as Olympic-level athletes. One study involving high performance athletes
compared the effects of Russian Rhodiola 1:1 extract, a single dose at 15 drops,
to Russian Eleuthero 1:1 extract, a single dose at 2 ml, to a placebo group.
The Rhodiola group increased work capacity by nine percent, the Eleuthero by
six percent, compared to the placebo group. Note: 15 drops of the Russian 1:1
fluid extract is equal to 150 mg. of the powder standardized extract.195
Much of the research on RRE has focused on its ability to assist the body at
times of stress, particularly cardiac stress, acting in part to prevent stress-induced
catecholamine activity in cardiac tissue and reduce adrenaline induced arrhythmias
in animals.31,32 RRE protects against altitude sickness, minimizing
cardiopulmonary dysfunction. RRE also has shown to increase the swimming time
of animals by
135%-159%.55 RRE has been shown to significantly improve mental
performance and reduce fatigue in physicians working night shifts. 61 In
proofreading tests, after taking Rhodiola rosea extract, a decrease in the
quantity of mistakes
was observed in 88% of the experimental group, while an increase in the quantity
of mistakes was observed in 54% of the control group.199 Under exhaustive muscle
workloads, it was revealed that RRE increased the activity of proteolytic enzymes
and also significantly increased the level of protein and RNA in the skeletal
muscles.200 RRE is anti-oxidative, preventing and minimizing oxidative damage
in the pancreas and heart caused by excess stress.59,60
RRE has been shown to enhance the antitumor effects of the chemotherapeutic
drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxin), while at the same time assisting in the regenerative
process of the immune system. RRE has also been shown to shorten the recovery
time on suppressed white blood cells following chemotherapy or radiation treatment.56
In animal experiments, adding RRE to a protocol with Adriamycin resulted in
an improved inhibition of tumor dissemination (compared to Adriamycin alone),
and the combined protocol prevented liver toxicity.57 Russian research has
shown that RRE is helpful in conditions of depression and schizophrenia. RRE
administrations have shown to increase serotonin and decrease the enzyme responsible
for monoamine degradation, monoamine oxidase, and catechol-O-methyltransferase.58
Certain conditions respond more favorably to Rhodiola extract than other adaptogens,
although a combination of adaptogens offers the most benefit. For example,
Rhodiola is superior to Panax ginseng during acute stress, preventing disruptions
in function and performance.193
Ashwagandha Root (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is one of the most revered plants in Ayurvedic medicine. It is
classified as a tonic-adaptogen and is often referred to as the "Indian
Ginseng" although not botanically related. Active components in the root
include alkaloids (isopelietierine and anaferine), steroidal lactones (withanolides,
withaferins), saponins (including sitoindoside VII, VIII), and iron.49
Many studies have demonstrated the adaptogenic properties of ashwaganda. For
example, one study showed Ashwaganda extract (AE) prevented the depletion of
vitamin C and cortisol (an adrenal hormone) in subjects who were under stress
and prevented stress-related gastrointestinal ulcers. The antioxidant effect
of AE may contribute to the reported anti-stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory,
and anti-aging effects presented in clinical situations. AE has shown similar
anti-stress and anabolic activity to Panax ginseng.51 AE counteracted many
biological changes induced by extreme stress, including changes in blood sugar,
and adrenal weight and cortisol levels.52 AE is a radiosensitizer/chemo-preventive
agent.53 AE extract significantly increased the total white blood cell (WBC)
count in mice and reduced the leukopenia induced by a sub-lethal dose of gamma
radiation.54 The combination of Aswagandha and Panax ginseng taken together
was found to improve psychomotor skills.33
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