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 preparations have appeared in tablets. Especially popular are those that have a tonic and restorative effect. Such funds are called adaptogens. One of the most common drugs to improve performance is Eleutherococcus 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 tall. It grows in Primorsky Krai, where it is cultivated specifically for the pharmaceutical industry. The roots of this plant are used for the production of medicines. They are valuable because they contain unique substances - eleutherosides, which determine its healing properties.properties. In addition, the roots are rich in essential oils, resins, fats, starch, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. They make decoctions, infusions, in pharmacies you can most often find tincture. But Eleutherococcus tablets are 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, the package can be 30, 50 or 100 pieces. Other excipients are sometimes added, such as magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide. But most often, Eleutherococcus extract in tablets is produced 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 increases efficiency. It affects 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 use of Eleutherococcus in tablets, the tone of the body gradually increases and the general condition normalizes.
Clinical studies have shown that this drug has the following pharmacological properties:
- stimulates the central nervous system;
- soothes, eliminates irritability, helps to resist stress;
- toning, relieves fatigue;
- improves appetite;
- increases mental andphysical performance;
- restores immunity, helps resist infections;
- normalizes hormonal balance;
- reduces blood sugar levels, improving its penetration into cells;
- speeds up metabolic processes;
- activates energy metabolism;
- accelerates cell regeneration processes;
- stimulates protein and nucleic acid synthesis;
- improves blood supply to the brain;
- strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increases pressure in case of hypotension.
Indications for use
Since the drug is able to increase blood pressure and improve heart function, it is most often used for vegetovascular dystonia of the hypotonic type. It relieves signs of asthenia, tones the body and increases efficiency. But since this is a herbal remedy, and its effect does not appear immediately, Eleutherococcus tablets are most often used for prophylactic purposes. Indications for use of the drug are:
- asthenia, severe fatigue;
- condition after serious illness, injury or surgery;
- recovery after chemotherapy;
- fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome;
- immunodeficiency;
- decrease in libido;
- low blood pressure;
- vegetative neurosis, neurasthenia, depression;
- stress situations;
- sleep disorders;
- loss of appetite;
- climacteric 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 overall tone of the body. The use of Eleutherococcus tablets is advisable as part of the complex therapy of non-infectious joint damage, osteochondrosis, radiculopathy, gout. And patients with vegetovascular dystonia are advised to take the drug in courses in autumn and spring to prevent exacerbations.
Contraindications and side effects
Despite 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;
- women during pregnancy and lactation;
- for insomnia and irritability;
- for hypertension;
- with myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, tachycardia;
- for acute infectious diseases;
- for severe liver disease;
- with serious disorders of cerebral circulation.
If the drug is used incorrectly, the dosage is not observed, or it is used without obvious indications, side effects may occur. Most often these are allergic reactions, tachycardia, irritability or insomnia. It can cause irritability, anxiety, ordisruption of the gastrointestinal tract. But it is also possible a strong drop in blood sugar levels, an increase in pressure.
Eleutherococcus tablets: instructions for use
This drug can be used as a dietary supplement for prevention. Its action does not appear immediately, therefore, in case of 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. And you need to drink it in the morning. Usually the course of treatment is from 2 weeks to a month, but if necessary, it can be repeated after 1-2 weeks.
Sometimes it is recommended to take Eleutherococcus during exacerbation of vegetovascular dystonia to relieve nausea, dizziness and increase pressure. This drug is useful for people involved in sports, heavy physical labor, with increased mental stress. For children from the age of 12, 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 psychostimulant drugs under 15 years of age are taken only under strict indications, as they can cause outbursts of aggression, excitement, and emotional instability.
Special Instructions
Eleutherococcus tablets can be used in complex therapy only on prescription. 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.
It is necessary to take Eleutherococcus only in the first half of the day: before breakfast and before lunch. If taken in the evening - after 5 pm - it can cause insomnia and overexcitation.
Analogues of the drug
There is no complete analogue of Eleutherococcus in tablets. You can buy an extract of this plant in the form of a dry herb or an alcoholic liquid extract. In addition, several dietary supplements are now being produced that contain this plant:
- "Eleutherococcus Biocor" contains ascorbic acid and tocopherol.
- "Eleutherococcus Plus Orihiro" - in addition to Eleutherococcus, it contains ginkgo biloba, calcium and B vitamins.
- "Ginseng + Eleutherococcus".
You can use drugs with similar tonic properties. They contain extracts of lemongrass, ginseng, leuzea. There are also combined remedies: "Vitastim", "Befungin", "Alfagin" and others.
Eleutherococcus tablets: reviews
The big advantage of this drug is its low cost. Usually, a package costs 80-100 rubles, and medicine is available in every pharmacy. It can be used alone or as part of complex therapy. Moreover,judging by the reviews, the drug helps both he althy people with increased physical exertion or stress, and patients. Patients note that it perfectly restores working capacity, strengthens the immune system, and relieves the effects of stress. Yet it is well tolerated and rarely causes side effects.
