Adaptogens?

[Guest guest]

" jackie " <jackie wrote:

 

> The modern concept of adaptogens seems not only to include the

> definition

> 'optimising adaption to stress' but also 'normalising

> physiological function whether from eg deficiency or excess'.

>

> I do not see any such property attributed to herbs in the

> chinese materi medica - rather that the effects depend exactly

 

> on the syndromes present in the patient, their correct

> differentiation.

>

> Any comment?

 

I've seen herbals mention gingseng as an adaptogen, but they

were not of chinese origen. Perhaps the word is one that is

unknown in TCM.

 

sue

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

> I've seen herbals mention gingseng as an adaptogen, but they

> were not of chinese origen. Perhaps the word is one that is

> unknown in TCM.

 

I believe so, but the question is is the 'property'? I have heard it claimed

by a TCM professional that Jiao Gu Lan can tonify yin or yang

'adaptogenically', ie as required. I am wondering if there is any kind of

classical precedent for this.

 

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie

 

Jackie wrote:

> The modern concept of adaptogens seems not only to include the

> definition 'optimising adaption to stress' but also 'normalising

> physiological function whether from eg deficiency or excess'. I do

> not see any such property attributed to herbs in the chinese materi

> medica - rather that the effects depend exactly on the syndromes

> present in the patient, their correct differentiation. Any comment?

> Jackie

 

This is an interesting question, with controversial implications from

the viewpoint of pure TCM! Most research on adaptogen/antistress

herbs is from Eastern Europe, a byproduct of Soviet efforts to

enhance physical/mental performance in cosmonauts and

athletes.Some come from Ayurvedic sources - alterative herbs.

 

Many Adaptogens are listed as Antioxidant/Antiageing Hbs also.

Many doctors using these herbs do not know the niceties of TCM

theory. They prescribe the herbs routinely as antistress/antioxidant

herbs to enhance physical/psychological performance under

conditions of high stress, as CNS Regulators in psychiatric

conditions, as immunomodulators in chronic infectious diseases

and allergies, and as support therapy in cancer and/or cancer

chemotherapy/radiotherapy. According to Soviet authors,

RHODIOLA Rosea and Wujiapi/Wujiashen [siberian (Eleuthero)

Ginseng) are the two BEST Adaptogen & Antioxidant herbs - better

(and safer) than ginseng.

 

As Jackie said, some of these herbs have NORMALISING effects -

they move disturbed Fxs to the middle. For example, depending on

whether the BP or blood glucose levels are up or down, they act as

Hypotensors or Hypertensors, Hypoglycaemics or Hypoglycaemics.

 

Here are a few useful URLs:

 

http://www.Antiaging-guide.com/Rhodiola_scient.html

and http://www.Antiaging-guide.com/RhodiolaRosea.html#1

and http://www.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2333

and http://www.iherb.com/arctic.html

and http://www.iherb.com/rhodiola1.html

and http://www.medicine-plants.com/articles/31/

and http://www.medicine-plants.com/articles/39/

and

http://www.yellowemperor.com/theproduct/LiquidExtracts/89_Siberi

anRhodiolaRosea.asp

and

http://www.fito.nizhny.ru/special/lygnanes/echinopanax_elatum.pht

ml

and http://www.nashaist.ru/116/116_01.shtml

and http://www.pipeline.com/~bakti/MuscleMaker/adapt_art.html

 

 

Here are some examples:

 

 

3= ANTIOXIDANT/ANTIAGEING AND ADAPTOGEN/ANTISTRESS

HERBS

--|Aralia mandshurica|Aralia; (See: Spikenard)

--|Asphaltum Shilajit|Shilajit Mineral pitch; dark brown/black/red

gummy bituminous mass of vegetable organic matter

Dongchongxiacao |Cordyceps Sinensis Pulvis (fungus+Hepialus

Varians Larvae); Cordyceps Sinensis Stroma On Larva Of Hepialus

Armoricanus|Chinese Caterpillar Fungus on larva corpse of

Hepialus armoricanus; Cordyceps Medical Fungus; “Winter Worm,

Summer Grass”; " Fruits " Out Of Head Of Dead Worms/Insects;

One Of Dearest & Most Valuable Hbs In TCM; Elixir Of Life

Gancao|Glycyrrhizae Rx, Glycyrrhizae

Uralensis/Glabrae/Glanduliferae/inflatae Rx|Licorice Rx

Gouteng|Uncariae

Sinensis/Hirsutae/Tormentosae/Rhynchophyllae/Macrophyllae

Rml+Uncis; OuroupariaeRhynchophyllae Rml+Uncis|Uncaria,

Cat’s Claw Inner Cx, Gambir Plant; Gambir Vine Stems & Hooks,

Rhynochophylia

Guijiu; Hongjingtian|Rhodiolae roseae Rx/Rz; Several other spp: R

Rhodiolae/Rhodeolae crenulatae, quadrifidae, kirilowii,

sachalinensis, alterna, brevipetiolata, yunnanensis; most research

is done on R. Rosea (Russian) Rhodiola rosea Rx/Rz; ??Rhodeola

rosea Rx/Rz; |Rhodiola Rx, Arctic Rose Rx; Plateau Ginseng;

Rhodiola/Rhodeola Rx/Rz; NOTE: Rhodiola rosea Rx (Russian)

has most research; " Rhodiola spp/Tibetan/Chinese/Indian

Rhodiola " may NOT be Rhodiola rosea Rx; " Arctic root " / " Golden

root "

Hezi; Kezi |Terminaliae Chebulae/Tomentellae Fr|Terminalia

Chebula Fr, Myrobalantree Fr; Harada (Ayurvedic); Medicine

Terminalia Fr Chebula Fr

Hongchezhouye; Hongchezhoucao|Trifolii Pratensis Fl/Hb|Red

Clover Fl/Hb

Hongrenshen|Panacis Ginseng Rx Rubrum|Red Ginseng Rx

(Whole Rx)

Jiaogulan|Hb Gynostemmae pentaphyllae|Fiveleaf Gynostemma

Hb, " Southern Ginseng "

Lingzhi (Jap: Reishi)|Ganoderma Lucidum/Sinensis/Japonicum|Red

Ganoderma, Lucid Ganoderma, Reishi Medical Fungus; Mushroom

Of Immortality; Elixir Of Immortality

Lurong|Cervi Cornu Parvum/Pantotrichum, Cervi Elaphi Cornu|Deer

Horn Slices, Hairy Deer Horn Slices, Velvet Deer Antler Slices,

Pilose Deer Horn

Sanqi|Panacis Notoginseng Rx Panacis

Notoginseng/Pseudoginseng Rx|Pseudoginseng

Notoginseng/Pseudoginseng, Sanchi; Tienchi ginseng

Shanyao|Dioscoreae Oppositae/Quinquelobae/Batatas

Rx/Rz/Tuber|Common Yam Rz/Winged Yam Rz, Chinese Wild

Yam, Dioscorea Rx

Wujiashen|Acanthopanacis/Eleutherococci Senticosi Rx|Siberian

Ginseng Cx, Manyprickle Acanthopanax Rx

Wuweizi |Schizandrae Sinensis/sphenantherae Fr|Schizandra

Berry, Chinese Magnoliavine Fr, Magnolia Vine Fr, Medicinal

magnolia vine Fr, Wurenchun

Xianggu|Lentinus Edodes|Shiitake; Champignon

Xiyangshen|Panacis Quinquefolii Rx|American Ginseng Rx

Yimucao|Leonuri Heterophylli/Cardiacae/Sibirici

Hb/Cacumen+Fl|Motherwort Hb; Motherwort Flowering Tops

 

1= ANTIOXIDANT/ANTIAGEING HERBS

--|Emblicae Officinalis/Phyllanthi Emblicae Fr|Emblica

Officinale/Phyllanthus Emblica Myrobalantree Fr; Amla (Ayurvedic)

--|Solani?? Fr|Tomato

--|Tabebuiae Impeteginosae Cx|Pau D’arco, Taheebo Cx

--|Tritici Sativae Hb Recens|Wheatgrass Fresh

Anye; Anshuye |Eucalypti Fm; EucalptiGlobuli Fm; Eucalypti

Robustae Fm|Eucalyptus Fm; Globular Eucalyptus Fm Swamp

Mahogany Fm

Baiguo|Ginkgonis S, Ginkgonis Bilobae S|Ginkgo S/Nut

Baiguoye|Ginkgonis Fm, Ginkgonis Bilobae Fm|Ginkgo Fm

Baijili|Tribuli Terrestris Fr|Puncturevine Caltrop Fr, Tribulus Fr

Chaihu|Bupleuri Sinensis/Scorzoneraefolii/Falcati Rx|Bupleurum

Rx, Chinese Thorowax Rx, Hares Ear Rx, Red Thorowax Rx stir-

baked w vinegar for use

Chaye|Camelliae Fm, TheaeSinensis Fm|Green Tea Leaf

Chenpi|Citri Reticulatae Pc, Citri Aurantii Reticulatae Pc, Citri

Aurantii Reticulatae, CitriAurantii/Noblis Pc/Exocarpium|Citrus Pc,

Tangerine Peel, Dried Tangerine Peel, Mandarin Orange Pc

Danggui|Angelicae Sinensis/Polymorphae Rx|Chinese Angelica

Rx, Angelica Tangkuei, Dongquai

Dasuan|Allii Sativi/Officinari B|Garlic Bulb

Dazao|Jujubae Fr, Ziziphi Jujubae/Spinosi/Vulgaris Fr|Chinese

Black Date, Black Jujube

Fupenzi|Rubi Chingii/Coreani/Idaei Fr Immaturus;

RosaeCoreanae/Idaei Fr|Palmleaf Raspberry Fr; Raspberry Fr

Bud, Raspberry/Blackberry Unripe Berries, Woodberry

Gouqizi|Lycii Sinensis/Barbatae Fr|Lychee, Barbary Wolfberry Fr,

Lycium Fr, Chinese Wolfberry Fr, Lycium Fr

Guanyejinsitao; Guanyelianqiao|Hyperici Perforati Hb|Common St.

John’s Wort Hb; St John’s Wort

Haima |Hippocampus Kelloggi|Sea Horse

Heshouwu|Polygoni Multiflori Rx-Tuber|Polygonum, Tuber

Fleeceflower Rx, Polygonum Hoshouwu, Flowery Knotweed

Rx(Crude; Prep Form Is Steamed W Black Soybean Juice)

Huaihua|Sophorae Japonicae Fl|Pagodatree Fl, Sophora Fl

Huangjing|Polygonati Sinensis/Kingiani/Sibirici/Cyrtonemae

Rz|Polygonatum Rz, Manyflower Solomonseal Rz/Siberian

Solomonseal Rz/King Solomonseal Rz

Hujisheng |Visci Hb|Coloured Mistletoe Hb

Husui; Yuansuizi |CoriandriSativi Fr/S/Hb|Coriander Hb/Fr/S

Huzhang|Polygoni Cuspidati/Reynoutria Rx+Rz|Bushy Knotweed

Rx, Giant Knotweed Rz

Jianghuang |Curcuma longae/domesticae Rx (mistakenly C.

aromaticae)|Turmeric; yellow Indian spice in curry powder; Turmeric

Rx Tuber; Tumeric Rx (cured & polished)

Jingjie|Schizonepetae Tenuifoliae/Multifidae Hb Hb+Fl/Hb, Nepetae

Japonicae Hb|Schizonepeta Hb/Bud, Fineleaf Schizonepeta Hb

Jinsitao; Tianjihuang; Diercao |Hyperici Monogyni/Japonici

Hb|Chinese/Japanese St. John’s Wort Hb/Rx, Lesser Hypericum

Jisongrong|Agaricus Blazei|God’s Mushroom

Juhua|Chrysanthemi Morifolii Fl; Chrysanthem Yejuhuai Morifolii

Albae (Bai-White)/Flavescentis (Huang-Yellow)/Sinensis

Fl|Chrysanthemum Fl

Laoguancao; Guancao; Changzuilaoguancao|Erodii/Geranii

Stephaniani Hb|Common Heron’s Bill Hb, Common Crane’s Bill Hb

Luobumaye; Luobumagen |Apocyni Veneti/Cannabini

Hb/Fm+Rx|Dogbane Hb/Fm+Rx, Canadian Hemp

Nuzhenzi|Ligustri Lucidi Fr|Glossy Privet Fr, Ligustrum Fr

Shanzha|Crataegi Fr/S; Crataegi

Pinnatifidae/Oxyacanthae/Cuneatae Fr, S, Fl, Fm|Hawthorn berry,

Fr, S, Fl, Fm

Shengdihuang|Rehmanniae Glutinosae Rx Recens; Rehmanniae

Rx Exsiccata/Recens; ??Epimedii Macranthi/Sagittati Rx Recens

Exsiccatus|Fresh Rehmannia Rx, Raw Rehmannia Rx; Fresh Dried

Rehmannia Rx, Dried Fresh Dihuang

Shudihuang|Rehmanniae Rx Conquita; Rehmanniae Glutinosae Rx

Prep, ?Epimedii Macranthi/Sagittati Rx Prep|Cooked Rehmannia

Rx (Steamed w Wine & Dried), Dihuang Prep By Steaming w Other

Hbs, Prep Rehmannia Rx

Shuifeiji|Silibi Mariani S|Milk Thistle S

Songmao|Pini Massonianae/Maritimae Fm|Pine Fm;

Masson/Maritime Pine Fm

Songshupi|Pini Cx|Pine Cx

Triphala [“3 Fruits”; Longevity Elixir] |Triphala [“3 Fruits”, Longevity

Elixir] – Put In Formulas File|Triphala [“3 Fruits”, Longevity Elixir] –

Put In Formulas File

Tusizi|Cuscutae Sinensis S|South Dodder S/Chinese Dodder S,

Cuscuta

Wanshouju|Calendulae Officinalis Fl|Marigold Fl

Wubeizi|Rhois Sinensis Galla|Chinese Gall (Formed By Melaphis

Sinensis Parasitized On Fm Rhutis Sinensis), Chinese Suma,

Sumac Gallnut

Wumei|Pruni Mume Fr|Dark Plum Fr, Black plum, Smoked Plum,

Mume Fr

Xiangrikuizi|Clinanthium Helianthi S|Sunflower S

Xiecaogen|Valerianae Officinalis Rx|Valerian Rx

Xuchangqing|Cynanchi Paniculati Rx,

Pycnostelmae??Hb|Paniculate Swallowwort Rx, ??Pycnostelma

Yiner|Tremella fuciformis|Tremella fungus

Yinyanghuo; Xianglingpi |Epimedii

Grandiflori/Brevicorni/Sagittati/Pubescentis Hb, Epimedii

Macranthi/Wushanense/Koreani Hb|Epimedium Hb

Yiyiren|Coicis Lacrymaejobi S|Coix S, Job’s Tears S; Chinese

pearl barley

Yueju|Vaccinii myrtilli Fr/Succus|Bilberry, Cranberry, Blueberry

Juice

Zishiying|Amethystum/Fluoritum|Amethyst/Fluorite

Zisuzi|Perillae Frutescentis Fr/S|Perilla Fr/S

||

2= ADAPTOGEN/ANTISTRESS HERBS

--|Araliae Racemosae|Spikenard; (See: Aralia)

--|Berberidis Aquifolii Fr|Oregon Grape

--|Boraginis Officinalis Fm|Borage Fm

--|Chionanthi Virginicae Cx-Rx|Fringe-Tree Cx-Rx

--|Cinchonae Officinalis Cx|Peruvian Cx

--|Fumariae Officinalis Cacumen+Fl|Fumitory Flowering Tops

--|Galii Aparinis Cacumen+Fl|Cleavers Flowering Tops

--|Iris Versicolor Rz|Blue Flag Rz

--|Lavendulae Officinalis/angustifoliae Fl|Lavender Fl

--|Primulae Veris Fl|Cowslip Fl

--|Rhamni Frangulae/Catharticae Cx|Alder Buckthorn Cx

--|Saniculae Europaeae Hb|Wood Sanicle Hb

--|Saponariae Officinalis Rx+Fm|Soapwort Rx+Fm

--|Sassafras Albidi Cx-Rx Inner|Sassafras Inner Cx-Rx

--|Scrophulariae Nodosae Cacumen+Fl|Figwort Flowering Tops

--|Stachys Betonica/Officinalis|Wood Betony

--|Stillingiae Sylvaticae Rx|Queen’s Delight Rx

--|Violae Odoratae Fm+Fl|Sweet Violet Fm+Fl

--|Withania Somnifera|Ashwagandha; “Indian Ginseng”(Ginseng

relative);

--|Zanthoxyli Americani Cx|Prickly Ash Cx

Baiying|Solani Dulcamarae/Ovatae/Lyrati

Hb/Fm+Cacumen|Bittersweet Hb/Twigs/Fm+Tops

Bajitian|Morindae Rx, Morindae Officinalis Rx, Bacopae/Herpestis

Monnierae Rx|Morinda Rx, Bacopa Rx, Herpestis Rx, Medicinal

Indian Mulberry Rx

Cebaiye |Platycladi/Thujae Hb/Fm+Caulis/Cacumen, Biotae

Orientalis Hb/Fm+Caulis/Cacumen|Arborvitae Fm+Caulis/Tops,

Chinese Arborvitae Twig, Biota/Thuja Leaf; Oriental Arborvitae

Fm+Tops

Dangshen|Codonopsitis Pilosulae Rx, Campanumae Pilosulae

Rx|Codonopsis Rx; Pilose Asiabell Rx/Moderate Asiabell

Rx/Szechwon Tangshen Rx

Ejiao |Asini Corii Colla/Gelatinum, Equi Asini Corii Colla; Gelatinum

Nigrum|Ass Hide Glue/Gelatin, Gelatinum, Gelatina Nigra

Fuling|Poriae Cocos Sclerotium|Chinaroot, Indian Bread,

Tuckahoe/Poria/Hoelen Sclerotium

Guojizi||

Hamayou|Ranae Oviductus|Forest Frog’s Oviduct

Huajiao; Chuanjiao|Zanthoxyli Bungeani/Schinifolii

Fr/Pc|Zanthoxylum Husk, Pricklyash Peel, Zanthoxylum Pepper

Huangqi|Astragali/Hedysari

Membranacei/Mongolici/Henryi/Hoantchyi Rx|Astragalus Rx;

Yellow Milk-Vetch Root, Hystagalus, Membranous Milkvetch

Rx/Mongolian Milkvetch Rx

Jixuecao; Hankecao |Centellae/Hydroctylis Asiaticae Hb|Gotu Kola

Aerial Parts, Asiatic Pennywort Hb, Hydrocotyl Asiatica

Longanrou|Longan Arillus, Euphoriae Longanae Arillus|Longan Aril,

Longan Fr Flesh, Dried Longan Pulp

Luole; Jiucengta |Ocimi Sancti Hb|Sweet Basil Hb; Holy Basil Hb

Niubanggen|Arctii Lappae Rx|Great Burdock Rx, Burdock Rx,

Arctium Rx

Shengma|Cimicifugae Rz, Cimicifugae

Foetidae/Racemosae/Heracleifoliae/Dahuricae Rz/Rx|Cimicifuga

Tuber, Black Cohosh Rz/Rx; Bugbane Rz, Large Trifoliolious

Bugbane Rz

Suanzaoren|Zizyphi S, Ziziphi Jujubae/Spinosi/Vulgaris S|Spine

Date S; Spina Date S, Sour Jujube Seed, Chinese Date S, Wild

Jujube Seed, Zizyphus S, Spiny Jujube Kernel

Tufuling|Smilacis Officinalis/Glabrae/Sinensis Rz/Rx|Glabrous

Greenbriar Rz, Sarsaparilla Chinaroot Rz, Smooth Greenbrier Rx

Xianmao|Curculiginis Ensifoliae/Orchioidis Rz|Common Curculigo

Rz

Xuanshen|Scrophulariae Ningopoensis/Oldhami Rx|Ningpo Figwort

Rx, Chinese Figwort Rx, Scrophularia Rx

Yangti; Tudahuang |Rumicis Japonici/Patientiae/Crispi Rx|Dock

Rx, Yellow Dock Rx; Japanese Dock Rx

Zizhuiju; Zichuju |Echinaceae Angustifoliae/Purpureae Hb

(Rx+Caulis+Fl)|Purple Coneflower Hb

 

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

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[Guest guest]

>>>>Many Adaptogens are listed as Antioxidant/Antiageing Hbs also.

Many doctors using these herbs do not know the niceties of TCM

theory. They prescribe the herbs routinely as antistress/antioxidant

herbs to enhance physical/psychological performance under

conditions of high stress, as CNS Regulators in psychiatric

conditions, as immunomodulators in chronic infectious diseases

and allergies, and as support therapy in cancer and/or cancer

>>chemotherapy/radiotherapy.

 

This is precisely what is happening in the veterinary 'market' too - western

vets

recommending 'adaptogens' for Cushings and insulin resistant horses without

any reference to the TCM knowledge base. Some such herbs do seem to have

proven they can lower insulin, but all, as far as I can see, stimulate

ACTH/cortisol release and support adrenal function. There have been reports

of some cortisol lowering effect, but I wonder if that may be as a direct

result of lowering of physiological stress in other areas, they are always

in stress trials?

 

Unless these herbs are outside the traditional materia medica, like Jiao Gu

Lan for instance, it would seem to me that any ability to eg have the

adrenals produce more or less cortisol according to the imbalance present

should be reflected in the TCM knowledge base somehow??

 

>Here are a few useful URLs:

 

Thanks, I'll check these out.

 

Jackie

[Guest guest]

> > I've seen herbals mention gingseng as an adaptogen, but they

> > were not of chinese origen. Perhaps the word is one that is

> > unknown in TCM.

 

" The definition of an adaptogen first proposed by Soviet scientists

in the late 1950s, namely that an adaptogen is any substance that

exerts effects on both sick and healthy individuals by 'correcting'

any dysfunction(s) without producing unwanted side effects, was used

as a point of departure. "

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=10996277 & dopt=Abstract

 

I wonder if the use of the term adaptogen may relate back to this - I

recall hearing from a TCM practitioner of I believe three classes of

TCM herbs, one of which is the type that only tend to aid rather than

having propensity to be dangerous unless in the hands of a very

qualified practitioner. The whole raft of herbs we usually hear about

was in that 'safe' class... which was put together because something

about each of the herbs in the group could help people with one thing

or another to tonify.

 

" The herbs which bring about this balancing, strengthening and

harmonizing are frequently called the adaptogens or the tonics. The

adaptogens literally aid the body in adapting to various stressors,

whether they may be physical or emotional, and are often referred to

as harmonizers in Oriental medicine. The tonics act in a more

generalized way, and typically over a longer time period, to

reconfigure the inherently intelligent functioning of every cell,

tissue and organ. They strengthen, nourish and rejuvenate the whole

body, with various herbs and classes of herbs having specificity for

various parts of the body.

 

The tonics and adaptogens are inherently safe for prolonged use, with

a couple of notable exceptions described below. If you are feeling

run down, tired or lacking in that vital spark that makes life worth

living then using tonics is a good idea for you. Tonics can also be

used when you are convalescing from some more serious illness or are

for any reason feeling debilitated, weak or depressed. "

http://www.gaiagarden.com/articles/introduction_to_herbal_medicine.htm

l