Many plants are used in medicine. Most often they are sold in the form of dry raw materials for the preparation of decoctions and liquid extracts. Recently, such natural tablets have appeared. Particularly popular are those that have a tonic and restorative effect. Such drugs are called adaptogens. One of the most common drugs to improve performance is Eleutherococcus in tablets. This drug can be bought at any pharmacy without a prescription.
general characteristics
Eleutherococcus is a small shrub about one and a half meters high. It grows in the Primorsky Territory, where it is cultivated specifically for the pharmaceutical industry. For the production of medicines, the roots of this plant are used. They are valuable in that they contain unique substances - eleutherosides, which determine its healing properties. In addition, the roots are rich in essential oils, resins, fats, starch, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. Decoctions, infusions are made of them, in pharmacies you can most often find tincture. But Eleutherococcus in tablets is also popular.
This drug is produced by various pharmaceutical companies in the form of tablets, dragees, or capsules. Tablets contain 70 or 100 mg of extract, in the package can be 30, 50 or 100 pieces. Sometimes auxiliary substances are added, for example magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide. But most often, the extract of Eleutherococcus in tablets is available without additives or with ascorbic acid.
What effect does
This drug is used as an adaptogen, as it enhances the body's ability to withstand negative environmental factors. A valuable property of this extract is also that it tones the nervous system and improves performance. It acts on the autonomic and endocrine systems of the body, normalizing their functions. Moreover, the effect of the drug does not appear immediately, with regular long-term administration of Eleutherococcus in tablets, the tone of the body gradually increases and the general condition normalizes.
Clinical studies have shown that this tool has the following pharmacological properties:
- stimulates the central nervous system;
- calms, eliminates irritability, helps withstand stress;
- tones, relieves fatigue;
- improves appetite;
- increases mental and physical performance;
- restores immunity, helps to resist infections;
- normalizes hormonal balance;
- reduces blood sugar, improving its penetration into cells;
- accelerates metabolic processes;
- activates energy metabolism;
- accelerates cell regeneration processes;
- stimulates the synthesis of protein and nucleic acids;
- improves blood supply to the brain;
- strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increases pressure with hypotension.
Indications for use
Since the drug is able to increase blood pressure and improve heart function, it is most often used for hypotonic vegetative-vascular dystonia. It removes signs of asthenia, tones the body and improves performance. But since this is a herbal remedy, and its effect is not immediately apparent, Eleutherococcus tablets are most often used for prophylactic purposes. Indications for use in the drug are as follows:
- asthenia, severe overwork;
- condition after serious illness, injury or surgery;
- recovery after a course of chemotherapy;
- fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome;
- immunodeficiency;
- decreased libido;
- low pressure;
- vegetoneurosis, neurasthenia, depression;
- stressful situations;
- sleep disturbances;
- decreased appetite;
- menopausal syndrome;
- obesity, diabetes.
It is recommended to use this drug during influenza epidemics to strengthen immunity, with increased mental and physical stress, during adaptation to new climatic conditions. Eleutherococcus is prescribed for the elderly to maintain working capacity and increase the general tone of the body. The use of eleutherococcus in tablets is advisable as part of the complex treatment of non-infectious joint damage, osteochondrosis, radiculopathy, gout. And patients with vegetovascular dystonia are recommended to drink the drug in autumn and spring to prevent exacerbations.
Contraindications and side effects
Despite its good tolerance, not everyone can use Eleutherococcus tablets. The instruction does not recommend using it in such cases:
- with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- children under 12 years old;
- women during pregnancy and lactation;
- with insomnia and increased irritability;
- with hypertension;
- with myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, tachycardia;
- with acute infectious diseases;
- with severe liver diseases;
- with serious cerebrovascular accident.
With improper use of the drug, non-compliance with the dosage or using it without obvious indications, side effects may occur. Most often these are allergic reactions, tachycardia, irritability or insomnia. It can cause irritability, anxiety or disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. But it is also possible a strong drop in blood sugar, increased pressure.
Tablets "Eleutherococcus": instructions for use
This drug can be used as a biologically active food supplement for prevention. Its effect does not appear immediately, therefore, with diseases it is used as part of complex therapy as prescribed by a doctor. Most often, 1-2 tablets of Eleutherococcus are prescribed before meals 2 times a day. Moreover, it is necessary to drink it in the morning. Typically, the course of treatment is from 2 weeks to a month, but if necessary, after 1-2 weeks it can be repeated.
It is sometimes recommended to take Eleutherococcus with exacerbation of vegetative-vascular dystonia to relieve nausea, dizziness and increased pressure. This drug is useful for people involved in sports, hard physical labor, with increased mental stress. For children from 12 years old, it is best to use eleutherococcus in drops, and the dosage should depend on the age of the child (how many years - so many drops). But such psychostimulating drugs up to 15 years of age are accepted only on strict indications, as they can cause outbreaks of aggression, agitation, emotional instability.
special instructions
Eleutherococcus tablets can be used in complex therapy only as directed by a doctor. After all, it is not compatible with all drugs. It is not recommended to take it together with barbiturates, antiepileptic drugs, tranquilizers, anxiolytics. He can neutralize their action. And the properties of CNS stimulants, such as caffeine, Piracetam or Nootropil, Eleutherococcus, on the contrary, enhances.
Take Eleutherococcus is necessary only in the morning: before breakfast and before dinner. When taken in the evening - after 17 hours - it can cause insomnia and overexcitation.
Analogues of the drug
A complete analogue of eleutherococcus in tablets does not exist. You can purchase the extract of this plant in the form of dry grass or alcohol liquid extract. In addition, several dietary supplements are now being produced, which include this plant:
- Eleutherococcus Biocor contains ascorbic acid and tocopherol.
- "Eleutherococcus Plus Orihiro" - in addition to Eleutherococcus, it includes ginkgo biloba, calcium and B vitamins.
- "Ginseng + Eleutherococcus".
You can use drugs with similar tonic properties. They contain extracts of lemongrass, ginseng, and leuzea. There are also combined products: Vitastim, Befungin, Alfagin and others.
Eleutherococcus in tablets: reviews
The big advantage of this drug is its low cost. Typically, a package costs 80-100 rubles, and a medicine is available in each pharmacy. It can be used independently or as part of complex therapy. Moreover, judging by the reviews, the drug helps both healthy people with increased physical exertion or stress, and patients. Patients note that it perfectly restores performance, strengthens the immune system, and relieves the effects of stress. And while well tolerated and rarely causes side effects.