The human body is daily exposed to the influence of various biological, chemical and physical factors. All of them are able to have a positive and negative impact on the work of vital organs and systems. Adaptogens are a group of drugs that can support the functioning of the human immune system at a sufficient level and increase its resistance to pathological factors.
General concepts
Adaptation of the body to changes in the external environment is regulated by the work of the nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular systems. Each of them reacts 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 non-specific forces and balance the state of the body with the external environment. The influence 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: a list of funds
The division of adaptogens into groups is based on their origin:
- Medicines of plant origin - ginger, astragalus, Rhodiola rosea, sea buckthorn, lemongrass, echinacea, leuzea.
- Natural adaptogens based on plant fossils - humic substances.
- Means of mineral origin - mumiyo.
- Animal adaptogens - "Gygapan", "Pantocrine" (based on young reindeer antlers), "Apilak" (a product of bee production).
- Synthetic drugs - Trekrezan.
All these products are available in various forms: in powders, capsules and tablets, alcohol tinctures, infusions and extracts.
The mechanism of action of drugs on the body
Adaptogens are a mechanism by which resistance to harmful environmental factors is increased. They do not apply to drugs 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 rehabilitate after a painful condition.
Adaptogens - drugs that help restore the body in such cases:
- after infectious diseases;
- in the event of a sudden change in temperature;
- after significant physical exertion;
- after oxygen starvation;
- in case of poisoning with toxic substances.
Adaptogens of plant origin (list) are able to improve cellular metabolism, awaken the hidden forces of internal organs, increase the efficiency of the human body, and have an anti-stress effect by blocking oxidation in acute stressful situations. The role of drugs is proven by observation and medical statistics.
Means can not only stimulate the central nervous system, but also calm it down. The use of medium or high doses of the drug enhances mental processes and increases efficiency. Higher doses may cause irritability, overexcitation and loss of sleep. Small doses, on the contrary, have a calming effect and improve sleep.
Ginseng
Herbaceous plant belonging to the Araliev family. A preparation based on it is used as an adaptogen, general tonic 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. Its active ingredients include saponins, peptides, polysaccharides, essential oils, vitamins B, C, PP, folic and pantothenic acid, macro- and microelements.
Indications for the use of drugs based on ginseng:
- arterial hypertension;
- neurasthenia;
- neurosis;
- convalescence after illness;
- hypotonic dystonia.
The drug stimulates the central nervous system, normalizes blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar, activates the adrenal glands, stimulates the reproductive system.
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Tinctures of adaptogens, including prickly eleutherococcus, are the most common form of stimulant use. This remedy, like ginseng, belongs to the Aralievs. Eleutherococcus can affect the human body as follows:
- increases blood pressure;
- used for CNS overwork and physical stress;
- tonifies the body when weakness progresses.
The effectiveness of the drug is high, but the effect is short. In infectious diseases, sleep disorders, hyperthermia and nervous overexcitation, the drug is contraindicated.
Rhodiola Rosea
The plant is known as "golden root". Rhodiola got its name due to the golden color of its rhizome. The plant received its medicinal properties due to the chemical active substances in the composition. Rhodiola contains essential oils, glucose, organic acids, flavonoids, trace elements.
Alcohol extract of the plant is used in the treatment of conditions:
- to stimulate the nervous system;
- for neurasthenic diseases and asthenia;
- to increase efficiency andsleep normalization;
- for the treatment of vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- in psychiatry;
- for rehabilitation after serious diseases of somatic or infectious origin.
The drug has an antitumor, antiviral and antibacterial effect. The water-alcohol extract is used to combat addiction to narcotic drugs. 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 whose rhizome has found wide application in the medical and pharmacological fields. In the form of a tincture, the remedy is used to treat arthritis, arthrosis, peptic ulcer, atherosclerosis, normalization of metabolic processes.
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 sports competitions.
Chinese lemongrass tincture is used to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and digestion processes. In addition, the drug is used to restore visual acuity.
Temptation
Plantsimilar in structure and chemical composition to ginseng, so its effect is approximately the same. Indications for the use of drugs based on lure: high blood pressure, sleep disorders, neurological disorders, the need to regulate metabolic processes.
Mumiyo
Not only herbal adaptogens can have a beneficial effect on the human body, strengthening it and increasing efficiency, but also preparations of mineral origin. Shilajit is an organic product in the form of dark pieces of a dense consistency, which are framed by a resinous substance. The drug has a special specific smell.
Mumiyo is used to strengthen the immune system in patients after severe infectious diseases, oncological processes, in the postoperative period and during convalescence. The drug is available in the form of tablets. It is not recommended to take it in childhood.
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 in climatic conditions, and also increase resistance to stressful situations.
Apilak
"Animal" adaptogens are preparations based on extracts fromanimal organisms, which are a biogenic stimulant of metabolic processes and a tonic. "Apilak" is created on the basis of the dried secret produced by bees. It contains a large amount of vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, cholinesterase and acetylcholine.
Indications for use "Apilaka":
- hypotrophy and anorexia;
- climax in women;
- chronic digestive pathologies;
- arterial hypotension of various etiologies;
- in combination with other drugs for the treatment of neurasthenia;
- seborrhea;
- violation of potency in men against the background of stressful situations.
The drug is available in the form of tablets and ointments for external use. Eczema, neurodermatitis, dermatosis, diaper rash are indications for the treatment of skin diseases using a product based on royal jelly. The drug is allowed to be taken by infants and young children.
Side effects of using adaptogens
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, low blood sugar levels, and allergic manifestations.
A complete list of side effects is indicated in the instructions that are attached to each of the drugs.
How to take drugs?
Treatmentadaptogens occurs according to the scheme selected for each specific agent. The selection of the dosage is carried out by a specialist, since the sensitivity to drugs in each patient is individual. In the first days of use, you should consume the minimum recommended dose in the morning or before lunch.
You need to follow the reaction of your body after using the initial doses. If the drug is effective, you can increase the dose by one drop. Continue in this manner until the optimal stimulating effect is maintained without side effects.
If symptoms of nervous overexcitation or insomnia occur, stop the drug before consulting a doctor or reduce the dose used.
Plant based adaptogens (list) have specific recommendations for use:
- Tinctures 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 about the dose, frequency of use and duration of treatment.
- Each adaptogen of plant origin has unique active substances in its composition. You need to alternate drugs for optimal effectiveness.
- The result of using 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 owncontraindications, but there is a general list of conditions in which adaptogens are not recommended:
- arterial hypertension;
- cardiovascular disease;
- liver disease;
- hypersensitivity to drug components;
- acute diseases of infectious etiology;
- sleep disorders.
