Week 5 - Adaptogens Flashcards
Adaptogens - Definition
- Produces non-specific response in an organism
- Has normalizing influence on physiology, irrespective of the direction of change from physiological norms caused by the stressor
- Very safe, well-tolerated
- No low-dose herbs
- All non-toxic
Adaptogens
- Eleutherococcus senticosis (Eleuthero, Siberian Ginseng)
- Panax ginseng (Red Ginseng, Man Root)
- Panax quinquifolium (American Ginseng)
- Oplopanax horridus (Deveil’s Club)
- Withania somnifera (Ashwaganda)
- Rhodiola rosea (Rhodiola, Rose Root, Golden Root)
- Schisandra chinensis (Five-Flavored Seed)
- Ocimum sanctum/tenuiflorum (Holy Basil, Tulsi)
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice Root)
- Cordyceps sinensis (Caterpillar Fungus)
Eleutherococcus senticosis - Family
- Araliaceae
Eleutherococcus senticosis - Parts Used
- Root (most researched)
- Stem bark
- Leaf
Eleutherococcus senticosis - Energetics
- Warm
- Stimulating (in higher doses) (some say it’s calming)
- Dispels wind dampness
Eleutherococcus senticosis - Indications
- Build vitality
- Increase resistance to infection, stress, and toxicity
- Improve physical performance
- Improve mood
Eleutherococcus senticosis - Contraindications/Cautions
- Adulteration is common in the marketplace
- Monitor blood glucose in diabetics and hypoglycemics when introducing this herb
Eleutherococcus senticosis - Other
- Not a true ginseng
- Can help drive blood sugar lower
- Helps attenuate alcohol hangover
- Found to reduce the recurrence rate of herpes
- Possible benefit in prevention of bone resorption in steroid-induced osteoporosis
Panax ginseng - Family
- Araliaceae
Panax ginseng - Parts Used
- Root
- Leaf
Panax ginseng - Energetics
- Warming
Panax ginseng - Indications
- Weakened state due to chronic illness or chronic stress
Panax ginseng - Contraindications/Cautions
- Always buy organically grown roots
- May cause hypertension if used long-term with caffeine
- May cause mania when used with MAOIs
Panax ginseng - Other
- Recommended to do 1 month on, 2 months off
- CM uses
Panax quinquifolium - Family
- Araliaceae
Panax quinquifolium - Parts Used
- Root
- Leaf
Panax quinquifolium - Energetics
- Cooling
Panax quinquifolium - Indications
- Nervous dyspepsia
- Loss of appetite
- Mental exhaustion
- Nervous exhaustion from overwork
Panax quinquifolium - Contraindications
- Pregnancy
Panax quinquifolium - Other
- Effective at low doses, could add into other formulas
- Effects are seen after long period of administration
Oplopanax horridus - Family
- Araliaceae
Oplopanax horridus - Parts Used
- Root
- Stem bark
Oplopanax horridus - Energetics
- Cooling
- Stimulating
- Protective
- Supporting
Oplopanax horridus - Indications
- Energetic medicine for nervous, mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion
- Indigenous use is as an antimicrobial, antirheumatic, and antidiabetic
- Modern research for anticancer properties
Oplopanax horridus - Contraindications
- Pregnancy
Oplopanax horridus - Other
- Tend towards using lower doses
- Historically was GI, blood sugar, and respiratory medicine
- Asthma and emotional healing
Withania somnifera - Family
- Solanaceae
Withania somnifera - Parts Used
- Root
Withania somnifera - Energetics
- Warming
- Balanaces Vata and Kapha
Withania somnifera - Indications
- High stress causing fatigue
- Nervous exhaustion
- Chronic inflammatory diseases
- Insomnia
- Anemia
- Immunosuppression
Withania somnifera - Contraindications
- Pregnancy
Withania somnifera - Other
- Classically decocted in milk and given at bedtime
- Said to “impart the power of a horse”
- Classically used to increase longevity and vitality, as an aphrodisiac, a tonic nervine, and used to treat emaciation of children and debility in the elderly
- Neuroregenerative
- Helps improve performance
Rhodiola rosea - Family
- Crassulaceae
Rhodiola rosea - Parts Used
- Root
Rhodiola rosea - Energetics
- Astringent
Rhodiola rosea - Indications
- Fatigue
- Burn-out from highly stressful situations
- Altitude sickness
- Intensive learning
- Neurasthenia
- GAD
Rhodiola rosea - Contraindications/Cautions
- May cause overstimulation and interfere with sleep
- May cause vivid dreams, particularly at the onset of treatment
- Contraindicated in bipolar disorder
- Synergistic effect with TCAs
Rhodiola rosea - Other
- Can reduce general fatigue under certain stressful situations
- Can help with mild/moderate depression
- Fortifies against increased stress
- CM uses
- Increase fertility in newly married couples in Siberia
Schisandra chinensis - Family
- Magnoliaceae
Schisandra chinensis - Parts Used
- Berries
Schisandra chinensis - Energetics
- Sour
- Bitter
- Warm
Schisandra chinensis - Indications
- Depression
- Irritability
- Forgetfulness
- Stress
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Coughs
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash
- Immune booster
Schisandra chinensis - Contraindications/Cautions
- Pregnancy (uterine stimulant)
- May occasionally cause heartburn
Schisandra chinensis - Other
- Prevents the leakage of qi
- Quiets the spirit and calms the heart
- Tissue protective
- Protective against cardiovascular disease
- Neuroprotective
- Hepato-protective
- Strong inducer of CYP systems (may reduce the duration of drug effect)
Ocimum tenuiflorum - Family
- Lamiaceae
Ocimum tenuiflorum - Parts Used
- Leaves
Ocimum tenuiflorum - Energetics
- Rama - neutral
- Krishna - clearing and warming
- Vana - sweet
Ocimum tenuiflorum - Indications
- Cognition, memory, mental focus, learning, concentration
- Reduced immunity
- Muscular fatigue
- Increased BP and HR
- IBS, emotional diarrhea
- Blood clots
- Radiation
Ocimum tenuiflorum - Contraindications/Cautions
- Mild blood thinning effects
- Monitor in diabetic patients due to hypoglycemic effects
Ocimum tenuiflorum - Other
- Top of ergogenic herbs
- Can help with withdrawal and rebuilding
Glycyrrhiza glabra - Family
- Fabaceae
Glycyrrhiza glabra - Parts Used
- Rootlets
- Rhizomes
- Stolons
Glycyrrhiza glabra - Energetics
- Moistening
- Very sweet
Glycyrrhiza glabra - Indications
- Inflammatory conditions of GI tract
- Respiratory conditions requiring expectoration and soothing mucilage (bronchitis, coughs, infections)
- Adrenal insufficiency, Addison’s disease
- Inflammatory conditions, arthritis, other AI disorders
- Chronic viral hepatitis
- Herpes simplex
- Urinary tract infections/diabetes insipidus
- Constipation
- PCOS, infertility, dysmenorrhea
Glycyrrhiza glabra - Contraindications
- HTN
- Hypokalemia
- Pregnancy (in large doses)
- Kidney failure
- Potentiates the action of cardiac glycosides
Glycyrrhiza glabra - Other
- Often used in small amounts
- Stimulates production of mucous glands
- Can use topically in either cream or tincture
- DGL (can use w/o HTN risks)
- CM uses
Cordyceps sinensis - Family
- Clavicipitaceae
Cordyceps sinensis - Parts Used
- Fruiting body
- Mycelium
Cordyceps sinensis - Energetics
- Sweet
- Warm
Cordyceps sinensis - Indications
- Excessive tiredness
- Persistent cough
- Impotence
- Anemia (supports marrow)
Cordyceps sinensis - Contraindications/Cautions
- Adulteration, fumigation, and misidentification are a problem in the global marketplace
Cordyceps sinensis - Other
- Increases cellular energy
- Improves respiratory function
- Improves the functioning of the heart
- Decreases cholesterol, increases HDL
- Improves chronic kidney disease
- Reduces tumor size in cancer patients
- Reduces fatigue
- Improves stamina and athletic performance
- Combats sexual dysfunction
- Improves libido
