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Energy/Stress Support

Description

Hans Selye said that a painful blow and a passionate kiss can be equally stressful. The point is that anything that requires a return of balance to homeostasis is considered a stress. Normally our body, and particularly our adrenal glands, help us adapt to our situation by making changes and secreting substances which help us deal with the situation. Some people push their adrenals and their bodies, however, and a “fight or flight” stress situation becomes prolonged, which furthers fatigue and nonproductivity. If the problem is not corrected, complete adrenal exhaustion leaves a person with no reserves and greater susceptibility to disease.

- Stress and conditions caused by stress - Fatigue - Lethargy - Weakness - Mental fuzziness - Irritability - Inability to handle everyday tasks

American Ginseng, also known as Panax quinquefolius, is considered an adaptogen in Chinese herbal medicine. An adaptogen improves the bodies resistance to stress. The ginsenosides (steroid-like compounds) found in American Ginseng have been shown to stimulate the immune system and combat fatigue and stress by supporting the adrenal glands. American ginseng also exhibits significant hypoglycemic activity in mice. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with healthy volunteers, American ginseng was able to lower blood sugar after an oral glucose challenge over a 90 minute post-prandial (after eating) period of blood testing. Blood sugar was lower over the last 45 minutes of the test. There was little difference in results between doses of 1, 2, or 3 grams ginseng.

Schisandra has been used for over 2000 years in China and Japan for its many healing properties. Studies suggest that schizandra has a hepatoprotectant (liver-protecting) effect, similar to milk thistle. The lignans found in schisandra may possibly regenerate liver tissue damaged by alcohol or viral hepatitis. The lignans have been shown to decrease blood levels of SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase), a liver enzyme shown to be elevated in viral hepatitis and other liver problems (Bao, et al, Comparison of the pharmacological effects of seven constituents isolated from the fruits of schisandra. Acta Pharm Sinica 1979; 14:1-7). Schisandra has also been shown to have adaptogenic properties, similar to ginseng, but with weaker effects. Some of the compounds in the plant have also shown antimicrobial activity.

Polygonum multiflorum, also known as Fo-Ti, is a Chinese herb shown to be beneficial in disturbed sleep and nervous exhaustion. Polygonum multiflorum enhances the “vital essence” of the liver and tonifies both the liver and kidneys. It has been shown to alleviate patterns of yin and blood deficiency, including premature graying of the hair, blurred vision and other signs of premature aging (Bensky D et al, Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Revised Ed, Seattle: Easrland Press, Inc., 1993).

Astragalus, also known as Huang qi, is a native herb to northern China. The translation of Huang qi means “yellow leader”, which refers to the roots yellow color and also to the importance of this herb as one of the most important tonic herbs in China. Astragalus is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to tonify the Spleen, the Qi (vital energy) and the Blood (nutritional dissemination). In this regard, it is applied to anorexia, fatigue, and diarrhea. Astragalus has been used traditionally in Chinese medicine for viral infections. It is valued as a tonic for building resistance to disease.

Atractylodes is another Chinese herb which has been shown to lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients (Kee Chang Huang, The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. NY: CRC Press, 1999). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Atractylodes is used to dry dampness and expel wind-dampness in the extremities. Atractylodes has been used for symptoms of anorexia, fatigue, nausea and epigastric pressure (Bensky, et al., Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Rev Ed, Seattle: Easrland Press, Inc., 1993). Atractylodes also inhibits cyclo-oxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, the enzymes that manufacture inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, respectively (Resch, et al, 5-Lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitory active compounds from Atractylodes lancea. J Nat Prod 1998 Mar;61(3):347-50).

In China, licorice is called, "the great detoxifier," and is thought to drive poisons from the body (Ody, P. The Complete Medicinal Herbal 1993. Dorling Kindersley Ltd, London). It has also been called, "the grandfather of herbs" because of its reputation for a wide variety of effects, including antiinflammatory, anti-arthritic, stimulant of the adrenal cortex, blood cholesterol reducer, gastric membrane soother, and possibly anti-allergenic and expectorant (ibid). Adrenal insufficiency is treated well with licorice because the constituents of licorice resemble the adrenal corticoid hormones.

Use caution in hypertension.

Copyright: Copyright HealthQuest, Inc. All rights reserved. Information used with permission from the HealthQuest Nutritional Database Version 4.0
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