The human body is daily affected by various biological, chemical and physical factors. All of them are able to have a positive and negative impact on the functioning of vital organs and systems. Adaptogens are a group of drugs that can maintain the human immune system at a sufficient level and increase its resistance to pathological factors.
General concepts
Adaptation of the body to environmental changes is regulated by the work of the nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular systems. Each of them responds to the action of stimuli with a specific response. For example, changes in heart rate, blood pressure, vasoconstriction, hormonal surges.
The action of adaptogens is based on the ability to increase nonspecific forces and balance the state of the body with the environment. The effect of drugs is determined by their chemical composition and biologically active substances. The composition of the funds includes such specific substances:
- glycosides;
- flavonoids;
- polysaccharides;
- glycopeptides.
Adaptogens: list of funds
The division of adaptogens into groups is based on their origin:
- Herbal preparations - ginger, astragalus, Rhodiola rosea, sea buckthorn, lemongrass, echinacea, leuzea.
- Natural adaptogens based on fossils of plant origin - humic substances.
- Means of mineral origin - mummy.
- Adaptogens of animal origin - "Cigapan", "Pantocrine" (based on young reindeer horns), "Apilak" (bee product).
- Synthetic preparations - Trekrezan.
All these products are available in various forms: in powders, capsules and tablets, alcohol tinctures, tinctures and extracts.
The mechanism of action of drugs on the body
Adaptogens are a mechanism by which an increase in resistance to harmful environmental factors occurs. They do not apply to medicines or vitamins. The use of these funds includes internal reserves of immune forces, which helps to normalize glucose and cholesterol levels, calm the nervous system, and quickly recover from a painful condition.
Adaptogens are drugs that help restore the body in such cases:
- after infectious diseases;
- in the event of a sharp temperature difference;
- after significant physical exertion;
- after oxygen starvation;
- in case of poisoning with toxic substances.
Plant-based adaptogens (list) are able to improve cellular metabolism, awaken the latent forces of the internal organs, increase the efficiency of the human body, have an anti-stress effect by blocking oxidation in acute stressful situations. The role of the drugs is proven by observations and medical statistics.
Means are capable of not only excitingly affecting the central nervous system, but also soothing it. The use of medium or high doses of the drug enhances mental processes and increases performance. Elevated doses can cause irritability, overexcitation and loss of sleep. The use of small doses, on the contrary, has a calming effect and improves sleep.
Ginseng
A herbaceous plant belonging to the Araliev family. A drug based on it is used as an adaptogen, a general strengthening and immunostimulating agent. The tool stimulates appetite, enhances metabolic processes, has an antiemetic effect. Ginseng root is used to make medicinal teas, tinctures, infusions, extracts.
The plant acquired its influence on the human body due to its rich chemical structure. The composition of its active substances includes saponins, peptides, polysaccharides, essential oils, B, C, PP vitamins, folic and pantothenic acid, macro- and microelements.
Indications for use of ginseng preparations:
- arterial hypertension;
- neurasthenia;
- neurosis;
- convalescence after illness;
- hypotonic dystonia.
The tool stimulates the central nervous system, normalizes blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar, activates the adrenal glands, stimulates the reproductive system.
Eleutherococcus prickly
Tinctures of adaptogens, including prickly eleutherococcus, are the most common form of the use of stimulants. This remedy, like ginseng, belongs to the Aralievs. Eleutherococcus is able to influence the human body as follows:
- raises blood pressure;
- used for overwork of the central nervous system and physical exertion;
- tones the body with the progression of weakness.
The effectiveness of the drug is high, but the effect is short-lived. In case of infectious diseases, sleep disturbances, hyperthermia and nervous excitement, the drug is contraindicated.
Rhodiola rosea
The plant is known as the "golden root". Rhodiola received this name due to the golden color of its rhizome. The plant received its healing properties thanks to the chemical active substances in the composition. Rhodiola contains essential oils, glucose, organic acids, flavonoids, trace elements.
Alcoholic extract of the plant is used in the treatment of conditions:
- to stimulate the nervous system;
- with neurasthenic diseases and asthenia;
- to increase performance and normalize sleep;
- for the treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia ;
- in psychiatry;
- for rehabilitation after serious illnesses of somatic or infectious origin.
The drug has an antitumor, antiviral and antibacterial effect. Water-alcohol extract is used to combat drug dependence. In addition, the drug is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, tuberculosis, skin diseases, fractures, jaundice, conjunctivitis and other pathological conditions.
Ginger
This is a perennial plant, the rhizome of which has found wide application in the medical and pharmacological field. In the form of tincture, the drug is used to treat arthritis, arthrosis, peptic ulcer, atherosclerosis, normalization of metabolic processes.
A decoction of ginger root with the addition of honey and lemon strengthens the body, strengthens the immune system, is used as an additional tool in the treatment of acute respiratory viral diseases.
Chinese lemongrass
The tool has a more pronounced stimulating effect than other adaptogens of plant origin. It must be taken during periods of greatest mental and physical activity. For example, during exams or sporting events.
Tincture of Chinese magnolia vine is used to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, digestion processes. In addition, the drug is used to restore visual acuity.
Zamaniha
The plant is similar in its structure and chemical composition to ginseng, so its effect is approximately the same. Indications for the use of funds based on the temptation: high blood pressure, sleep disorders, neurological disorders, the need to regulate metabolic processes.
Mumiyo
Not only plant adaptogens are able to beneficially influence the human body, strengthening it and increasing efficiency, but also preparations of mineral origin. Mumiyo is an organic product in the form of dark pieces of dense consistency, which are framed by a resinous substance. The drug has a special specific smell.
Mumiyo is used to strengthen the immune system for patients after severe infectious diseases, oncological processes, in the postoperative period and during convalescence. The drug is available in the form of tablets. Taking it in childhood is not recommended.
"Trekrezan"
Synthetic adaptogens are drugs developed in the laboratory that have a similar structure to natural immunomodulators. The effectiveness of the drug is based on the stimulation of the production of interferon and cellular immunity.
"Trekrezan" is able to increase mental and physical performance, accelerate the process of adaptation to changes from climatic conditions, as well as increase resistance to stressful situations.
Apilak
“Animals” adaptogens are drugs based on extracts from animal organisms, which are a biogenic stimulator of metabolic processes and a strengthening agent. Apilak is created on the basis of dried secret produced by bees. It contains a large number of vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, cholinesterase and acetylcholine.
Indications for use of Apilak:
- malnutrition and anorexia;
- menopause in women;
- chronic digestive pathologies;
- arterial hypotension of various etiologies;
- in combination with other drugs for the treatment of neurasthenia;
- seborrhea;
- impaired potency in men against stressful situations.
The drug is available in the form of tablets and ointments for external use. Eczema, atopic dermatitis, dermatoses, diaper rash - indications for the treatment of skin diseases using royal jelly. The drug is allowed to be taken by infants and young children.
Adaptogen Side Effects
Even the best adaptogens can have certain side effects when used. Most of the stimulant drugs are well tolerated, however, their improper use can cause sleep and wake disturbances, headaches, tachycardia, arterial hypertension, decreased blood sugar, and allergic manifestations.
A complete list of side effects is indicated in the instructions that accompany each drug.
How to take drugs?
Treatment with adaptogens occurs according to the scheme selected for each specific agent. Dosage selection is carried out by a specialist, since the sensitivity to drugs in each patient is individual. In the first days of use it is necessary to use the minimum recommended dose in the morning or before lunch.
You need to follow the reaction of your body, after consuming the initial doses. If the drug is effective, you can increase the dose by one drop. Continue this way until the optimal stimulating effect persists without side effects.
If you experience symptoms of nervous agitation or insomnia, you must discontinue the drug before consulting a doctor or reduce the dose used.
Adaptogens of plant origin (list) have certain recommendations for use:
- Tinctures of drugs should be taken before lunch to avoid sleep disturbances.
- Adaptogens should be taken in courses, taking breaks.
- Clearly follow the instructions or doctor's advice regarding the dose, frequency of use and duration of treatment.
- Each plant adaptogen has unique active substances in its composition. It is necessary to alternate drugs for optimal effectiveness.
- The result of the use of drugs usually appears after a while, and not in the first days of use.
- The dose of the drug is selected individually for each person.
Contraindications
Each of the drugs has its own contraindications, but there is a general list of conditions in which adaptogens are not recommended:
- arterial hypertension;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- liver disease
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- acute diseases of infectious etiology;
- sleep disorders.