Plant adaptogens in sports occupy their own special niche, since their popularity is due, firstly, to their high efficiency, and secondly, to their low cost. This price / quality ratio has largely influenced the popularity of these substances, both in bodybuilding and in sports in general and even far beyond. The cost does not bother us much, since it is known that it is not quite high, but we just have to figure out their effectiveness.
When we talk about adaptogens, we certainly mean herbal plants. Those same "herbs" from which potions and tinctures were made in ancient times. And to tell the truth, they did it for a reason. Surprisingly, it would seem that the most ordinary wild bush growing completely independently in the steppe, in the forest or in the mountains is capable of exerting such a wide range of effects on the human body that could be achieved by taking a whole range of pharmacological preparations.
ADVICE. Since this category of pharmaceutical drugs spurs physical activity, they can be used both for weight gain and weight loss. In this regard, it will not be superfluous, first of all, to competently build a diet and familiarize yourself with the articles "" and "". Taking any sports supplements or pharmaceutical preparations is advisable only with a complete and proper diet, which corresponds to the set goal.
Herbal adaptogens are a pharmacy analogue of the so-called sports "pre-workout". This is the name of pre-workout complexes, which are classified as sports supplements, and whose composition is aimed at increasing the performance, efficiency and endurance of the athlete by stimulating the nervous system, dilating blood vessels, increasing blood flow and more. Plant adaptogens are therefore considered to be a kind of their analogue, which has approximately the same effect on the body. However, it is worth talking about this in more detail on each item.
IMPORTANT. This article is formed on the basis of materials from the book of the author Davidenko F. Yu. " ANABOLISM PROFILES» .
Aralia tincture
In medicine, an aqueous tincture of Aralia (20% alcohol) from the roots of the plant is used. This tool belongs to the category of adaptogens, as it has the property of stimulating the nervous system, relieving fatigue and increasing efficiency. Also, the tincture evens out blood pressure and lowers blood sugar. The body reacts to a decrease in sugar by releasing growth hormone, which, in general, has a powerful anabolic effect and allows you to build muscle quality qualitatively, including through increased appetite. Aralia tincture has stimulating properties and enhances the formation of new cells, tissues and hormones. Actually for these qualities, the tincture has gained wide popularity among athletes.
Pharmacological group:
Active substance:
Pharmachologic effect: stimulation of the central nervous system, relieving fatigue, increasing efficiency, stabilizing blood pressure.
Tasks in sports: tincture increases endurance, fatigue threshold, accelerates regeneration processes, activates metabolism, prevents overtraining.
Composition: alcohol extract from the roots of Aralia Manchuzhrskaya.
Indications: used for manifestations of weakness, fatigue, decreased muscle activity. Aralia tincture relieves the symptoms of depression, prevents the development of neurosis.
Contraindications: poor sleep, hypertension, high excitability, liver disease, alcoholism, brain diseases.
Side effects: hyperexcitability, tachycardia, euphoria, diarrhea, allergic reactions. Long-term use can provoke sleep disturbances.
Interaction: tincture enhances the effect of stimulants (caffeine, camphor, phenamine), and is an antagonist of drugs that depress the central nervous system.
Mode of application: orally.
Overdose:
Release form: bottles - 50 ml.
Analogs:
Manufacturers: Dalkhimpharm OJSC (Russia).
Shelf life: 3 years.
Storage conditions:
Summary. Herbal adaptogens are currently freely used in sports, since they are not included in the list of prohibited substances. The drug has stood the test of time, and at the moment, more than a thousand studies have been carried out that have proven its high effectiveness. The effect itself from the use of the tincture begins within the first hour after taking it. It is realized by influencing the work of the nervous, endocrine, immune and cardiovascular systems. In general, almost all plant adaptogens affect DNA synthesis, the work of the central nervous system, regulate hormone metabolism, activate metabolism, increase immunity, and more. By and large, adaptogens are substances that can increase the adaptive capabilities of a person.
Ginseng tincture
In medicine, an aqueous tincture (70% alcohol) from the roots of the plant is used. This tool belongs to the category of adaptogens, as it has the ability to influence the functioning of the nervous system, relieve fatigue and increase efficiency. Ginseng has a fairly wide spectrum of action, but it has the main effect on the central nervous system. It prevents the development of inflammatory processes, has a good effect on carbohydrate metabolism, the work of the heart, blood vessels and gonads. Taking the tincture increases oxygen consumption, activates tissue respiration, and stabilizes low blood pressure. The active ingredients of Ginseng are herbal steroids - eleutherosides. In a sports environment, along with other plant adaptogens, this is known as a performance-enhancing agent.
Pharmacological group: general tonic agents and adaptogens.
Active substance: a complex of biologically active components - flavonoids, glycosides, polysaccharides, phytosterols, terpenoids, fatty acids and glycopeptides.
Pharmachologic effect: stimulation of the central nervous system, relieving fatigue, increasing efficiency, has a beneficial effect on hypertension and hypotension.
Tasks in sports: tincture increases endurance, fatigue threshold, accelerates recovery processes, activates metabolism, improves concentration.
Composition: alcohol extract from Ginseng roots.
Indications: used for increased fatigue, decreased muscle activity, self-doubt, frequent mood swings.
Contraindications: insomnia, hypertension, hyperexcitability, hypersensitivity, arterial hypertension, epilepsy, liver disease.
Side effects:
Interaction: tincture enhances the effect of stimulants and analeptics (caffeine), and is a physiological antagonist of the hypnotic effects of barbiturates.
Mode of application: orally.
Overdose: possibly increased dose-dependent side effects - nausea, vomiting, epistaxis, hypoglycemia.
Release form: bottles - 50 ml.
Analogs: other plant adaptogens.
Manufacturers: JSC Pharmaceutical Factory of St. Petersburg (Russia), VIFITECH (Russia), Pharmstandard (Russia), Dalkhimpharm (Russia).
Shelf life: 3 years.
Storage conditions: store in a cool and dark place in a well-sealed bottle, at a temperature of 8-15 degrees Celsius.
Summary. General tonic agents and adaptogens, which include Ginseng tincture, are used in both aerobic and anaerobic sports. The performance-enhancing effects on the body can improve performance for literally everyone, from cyclists to weightlifters. At the same time, the ability of Ginseng tincture to increase mental concentration allows even chess players to use it with success. Due to the fact that the tincture has such a significant range of effects on the functioning of the nervous, endocrine, immune and cardiovascular systems, this category of drugs is rightfully referred to as stimulants.
Tincture of Leuzea
This plant contains the active substances phytoexidones - steroid compounds with pronounced anabolic properties. In medicine, an extract from its roots is used in a 70% alcohol solution. This is another representative of the category of adaptogens, which also has the ability to stimulate the nervous system, relieve fatigue and increase performance. In an athlete's body, Leuzea's tincture enhances the processes of synthesis of cells, hormones, proteins and their accumulation in muscles, heart, liver and kidneys. The use of the tincture significantly increases physical endurance, intellectual performance and concentration. Long-term use of Leuzea helps to dilate blood vessels and improve general blood circulation.
Pharmacological group: general tonic agents and adaptogens.
Active substance: a complex of biologically active components - flavonoids, glycosides, polysaccharides, phytosterols, terpenoids, fatty acids and glycopeptides.
Pharmachologic effect: stimulation of the central nervous system, relieving fatigue, increasing efficiency, improving blood supply to muscles.
Tasks in sports: increases the strength of muscle contraction, the threshold of fatigue, accelerates the processes of tissue regeneration, activates metabolism and protein synthesis.
Composition: alcohol extract from the roots of Leuzea.
Indications: weakness, fatigue, decreased muscle activity, mental imbalance. Leuzea's tincture relieves symptoms of depression and manifestations of neurosis.
Contraindications: insomnia, arterial hypertension, epilepsy, liver disease, alcoholism, brain disease. In isolated cases - schizophrenia.
Side effects: hyperexcitability, tachycardia, euphoria, diarrhea. Long-term use can develop hypertension and provoke sleep disturbances.
Interaction: tincture enhances the effect of stimulants and analeptics. It is a physiological antagonist of the sedative effect of tranquilizers.
Mode of application: orally.
Overdose: possibly increased dose-dependent side effects - nausea, vomiting, epistaxis, hypoglycemia.
Release form: bottles - 50 ml.
Analogs: other plant adaptogens.
Manufacturers: VIFITECH (Russia), Pharmstandard (Russia), Dalkhimpharm (Russia), Yaroslavl Pharmaceutical Factory (Russia), NPP Camelia (Russia).
Shelf life: 3 years.
Storage conditions: store in a cool and dark place in a well-sealed bottle, at a temperature of 8-15 degrees Celsius.
Summary. Leuzea's tincture, like other plant adaptogens, is widely used in sports, since it is not doping. Long-term use of Leuzea reduces morbidity, increases self-esteem, improves health, reduces heart rate during exercise, increases endurance and mental performance. A single intake of Leuzea extract has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. At the same time, the dynamic response to physical activity is softened and the recovery time after it is reduced (less than after taking the tincture of Eleutherococcus, but more than after taking the tincture of Ginseng).
Lemongrass tincture
In medicine, a tincture of Schisandra seeds with 95% alcohol is used. Since Schisandra Chinensis, in comparison with other adaptogens, excites the nervous system the most. At the same time, the tincture significantly increases physical and mental performance, due to which, by the sum of these factors, it is highly popular in the sports environment. Lemongrass preparations, among other things, stimulate cardiovascular activity, improve lung function, and have a choleretic effect. Most often, the tincture is used for systematic physical and mental stress, to improve performance, reduce fatigue and more.
Pharmacological group: general tonic agents and adaptogens.
Active substance: schizandrin. Supported by organic acids, vitamins, trace elements, essential and fatty oils.
Pharmachologic effect: stimulation of the central nervous system, relieving fatigue, increasing efficiency, relieving muscle fatigue and pain.
Tasks in sports: increase in body weight, muscle strength, fatigue threshold. The tincture accelerates recovery, metabolism, protein synthesis, and improves mood.
Composition: alcohol extract from the fruit of Schisandra.
Indications: asthenic syndrome, overwork, complex treatment of decreased sexual function against the background of neurasthenia, mental and physical stress.
Contraindications: individual intolerance, arterial hypertension, irritability, epilepsy, convulsions, sleep disturbances, acute infectious diseases.
Side effects: possible allergic reactions, tachycardia, headache. On the course of taking the drug, sleep may be disturbed and blood pressure may increase.
Interaction: tincture enhances the effect of stimulants and analeptics. The drug is a physical antagonist of tranquilizers and sedatives.
Mode of application: orally.
Overdose: possibly increased dose-dependent side effects - nausea, vomiting, epistaxis, hypoglycemia.
Release form: bottles - 50 ml.
Analogs: other plant adaptogens.
Manufacturers: NPP "Camellia" (Russia), "Dalkhim Pharm" (Russia), "Vifitech" (Russia), "Vladivostok Pharmaceutical Factory" (Russia).
Shelf life: 3 years.
Storage conditions: store in a cool and dark place in a well-sealed bottle, at a temperature of 8-15 degrees Celsius.
Summary. Schisandra chinensis, along with other adaptogens, is very popular and widely used in sports. The effect of Schisandra's preparations on the body is rather slow, but at the same time effective in the development of overwork and general fatigue. The effect of the tincture is felt within one to two hours after ingestion, however, the substance reaches its peak of activity with the duration of the course of administration from 2 to 10 weeks. The tonic effect during a course intake is manifested in the activation of protein synthesis processes, an increase in muscle strength, vital capacity of the lungs, hemoglobin concentration and an increase in blood flow. The drug stabilizes blood pressure, quenches thirst, improves appetite, relieves muscle fatigue.
Rhodiola tincture
In medicine, rhizome extract is used in a 40% solution of ethyl alcohol. The pharmacological effect of this plant adaptogen is due to the content in it of such active components as rhodioloside and rhodosin. They are so effective in their field of application that sometimes they are even released as a stand-alone preparation. A characteristic feature of Rhodiola rosea is a strong effect on muscle tissue. On the course of taking the tincture, muscle strength and endurance are significantly increased. At the cellular level, the activity of contractile proteins, actin and myosin, increases, and also increases in the size of the mitochondria.
Pharmacological group: general tonic agents and adaptogens.
Active substance: rhodioloside (English: Rhodiolaside).
Pharmachologic effect: long-term use of the tincture increases muscle strength, normalizes heart function and stimulates mental activity.
Tasks in sports: the tincture increases muscle strength and endurance.
Composition: alcohol extract from the roots of Rhodiola.
Indications: neurasthenia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, hypotension, fatigue, neurosis, colds, recovery period after inpatient treatment.
Contraindications: hypertensive crisis, febrile conditions. Rhodiola preparations should not be used with high blood pressure.
Side effects: hyperexcitability, tachycardia, euphoria, diarrhea, allergic reactions. Long-term use can develop hypertension and provoke sleep disturbances.
Interaction: weakens the intensity of the effect of neuroleptics (Aminazin), without exerting a depressing effect on the central nervous system.
Mode of application: orally.
Overdose: possibly increased dose-dependent side effects - nausea, vomiting, epistaxis, hypoglycemia.
Release form: bottles - 30 ml.
Analogs: other plant adaptogens.
Manufacturers: Yaroslavl Pharmaceutical Factory (Russia), Vifitech (Russia), Dalkhimpharm (Russia).
Shelf life: 5 years.
Storage conditions: store in a cool and dark place in a well-sealed bottle, at a temperature of 8-15 degrees Celsius.
Summary. Rhodiola tincture is widely used both for medical purposes and in sports. If there is a need for a rapid increase in physical performance, as a rule, it is recommended to slightly increase the dosage of the drug. This allows in the shortest possible time to adapt to the adverse effects of the external environment (work or training in mountainous terrain, in thin air), increasing physical and mental performance. Taking tincture of Rhodiola rosea improves twilight vision. The use of inflated dosages of tincture increases the likelihood of side effects. However, in each specific case, such an overestimation of the dosage may be fully justified by the need to complete the task.
Tincture of Eleutherococcus
It is considered the most effective herbal adaptogen that stimulates physical activity. In medicine, a tincture of 40% alcohol is used from the rhizomes of the plant. Even a single use of a dose of the substance accelerates (in comparison with tinctures of Ginseng and Leuzea) the restoration of the parameters of the cardiovascular system, increases resistance to oxygen starvation, and physical activity is performed with less effort. But it is also worth remembering that, like other adaptogens, the stimulating effect of Eleutherococcus tincture is not significant when performing the maximum power load, but manifests itself mainly against the background of previous fatigue.
Pharmacological group: general tonic agents and adaptogens.
Active substance: eleutherosides, coumarins, essential oil, glucose, sucrose, starch, wax.
Pharmachologic effect: the stimulating effect is manifested through a decrease in fatigue, drowsiness, an increase in sports and mental performance.
Tasks in sports: increased efficiency, active restoration of the parameters of the cardiovascular system, increased resistance to oxygen deficiency.
Composition: alcohol extract from the roots of Eleutherococcus.
Indications: the tincture relieves the symptoms of depression, it is also used for low blood pressure and impotence, which has developed against the background of neurosis.
Contraindications: the drug should not be used with high blood pressure, elevated body temperature, as well as with emotional arousal.
Side effects: hyperexcitability, euphoria, diarrhea, allergic reactions. Long-term use can develop hypertension and provoke sleep disturbances.
Interaction: tincture enhances the effect of stimulants and analeptics (caffeine, phenamine), and is also an antagonist of drugs that depress the central nervous system.
Mode of application: orally.
Overdose: possibly increased dose-dependent side effects - nausea, vomiting, epistaxis, hypoglycemia.
Release form: bottles - 50 ml.
Analogs: other plant adaptogens.
Manufacturers: Tatkhimfarmpreparaty (Russia), Rostovskaya Pharmfabrika (Russia), Pharmstandard OJSC (Russia), Dalkhimpharm (Russia).
Shelf life: 4 years.
Storage conditions: store in a cool and dark place in a well-sealed bottle, at a temperature of 8-15 degrees Celsius.
Summary. The plant adaptogen Eleutherococcus is widely used in sports, since it is not a prohibited remedy. Eleutherococcus prickly is a relative of Ginseng and has almost the same effect on the human body and also has a pronounced stimulating effect. Taking tincture significantly increases physical and mental performance, and also strengthens the immune system. The stimulating effect of Eleutherococcus does not have a tangible arousal. Its preparations, like those of Rhodiola, improve twilight vision. The pronounced adaptogenic activity makes it possible to use the preparations of Eleutherococcus both for quick adaptation to changing climatic and geographic zones, as well as time zones, and for adaptation to unfavorable anthropogenic influences - rarefied air, excessive humidity, high temperature.
Conclusion
Adaptogens, as a means of increasing the physical performance of athletes, are quite effective. Just like other supplements and drugs, herbal adaptogens in combination with proper nutrition and some other drugs can enhance their effect on the body. They can only cause harm if the recommended dosage is exceeded excessively, while compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations makes their use completely harmless to the health of the athlete. Be that as it may, remember that taking adaptogens, like any other pharmacy drugs, must first be discussed with your personal doctor.