Adaptogens Flashcards
what are adaptogens?
- help the body adapt to stress
- produces a non specific response in an organism; ie. an increase in power of resistance against multiple stressors including physical, chemical, or biological agents.
- have a normalizing influence on physiology- they are neither always stimulating or depressing, rather they return the body to a normal state
- very safe, well tolerated medicine
Main actions and indications of Eleutherococcus senticosis- Siberian ginseng
Actions:
adaptogen, immunomodulating, mild CNS stimulant
Indications:
build vitality, increase resistance to infection, stress and toxicity, improve physical performance and improve mood
other more specific actions of eleutherococcus
non specific anti stress effects adaptogenic ergogenic anabolic/anticatabolic antitoxic (tissue protective) radioprotective chemoprotective immunoprotective immunoregulatory antiviral gonadotrophic insulintrophic/antidiabetic (driving blood sugar lower) neuroprotective
What are the main actions and indications for Panax Ginseng- Asian Ginseng?
Actions:
adaptogen, tonic, stimulant, hypoglycemic, antitoxic
Indications:
weakened state due to chronic illness or chronic stress
What are the main actions and indications of Panax quinquifolum- American Ginseng?
Actions:
tonic, nervine, adaptogen, hypoglycemic
Indications:
nervous dyspepsia, loss of appetite, mental exhaustion
What are the main actions and indications of Oplopanax horridus- Devil’s Club?
Actions:
expectorant, respiratory stimulant, hypoglycemic, immunomodulator
Indications:
as an energetic medicine for nervous, mental, emotional and physical exhaustion- energetic adaptogen
Indigenous use is as an antimicrobial, anti rheumatic, and anti diabetic and respiratory medicine
What are the main actions and indications of Withania somnifera- Ashwaganda?
Actions:
adaptogen, tonic, immunomodulator, anti inflammatory, increases hemoglobin, WBCS and neutrophils, sedative, anxiolytic, antiepileptic, hypotensive, enhances cognition, protects against ulcers, neuroregenrative, antidepressant
Indications:
high stress causing fatigue, nervous exhaustion, chronic inflammatory diseases, insomnia
What are the main actions and indications of Rhodiola rosea- Golden Root?
Actions:
adaptogen, decreases fatigue, increases endurance, increases work capacity and coordination, increases learning ability, improves memory, decrease in drug induced arrhythmia, stimulant antidepressant
Indications:
fatigue, burn out from highly stressful situations, altitude sickness, intensive learning, neurasthenia
stress induced fatigue, generalized anxiety
What are the main actions and indications of Schisandra chinensis?
Actions:
adaptogen, mind tonic, CNS stimulant, sexual tonic, sedative, astringent, hepatoprotective, expectorant, antitussive
Indications:
depression, irritability, forgetfulness, stress, hepatits, cirrhosis, coughs, wheezing, shortness of breath, skin rash
What are the main actions and indications of Ocimum tenuiflorum - Holy Basil, Tulsi?
Actions:
adaptogen, nootropic
Indications:
what are the main actions and indications of Glycyrrhiza glabra and uralensis?
Actions:
adaptogen, harmonizer, synergist, antiviral
expectorant, demulcent/mucoprotective, anti inflammatory, anti ulcer, anti spasmodic, mild laxative, adrenal tonic, anticarcinogenic, corrigent (flavoring agent)
Indications:
inflammation of the GI tract, canker sores, gastritis, hyper acidity
respiratory conditions requiring expectoration and soothing mucilage like bronchitis, coughs and infections
adrenal insufficiency, addison’s disease
inflammatory conditions, arthritis, other AI diseases
chronic viral hepatitis, herpes simplex
UTI
constipation
PCOS, infertility, dysmenorrhea
What are the main actions and indications of Cordyceps sinesis- Caterpillar Fungus?
Actions:
adaptogen, immunostimulant, anti tumor, antihyperlipidemic, cardiotonic, increases endurance
Indications:
excessive tiredness, persistent cough, impotence, anemia
