Eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosus)*

A well-researched herb for balancing endocrine activity, promoting strength and energy, and enhancing work or athletic performance. It acts on the adrenal glands to normalize stress hormone levels thereby smoothing out the peaks and valleys of energy that characterize chronic stress.

Oat fresh milky seed (Avena sativa)*

Nature's “food for the nervous system.”  Used for neurasthenia (nervous exhaustion), anxiety, impaired sleep patterns and weak libido, milky Oat are appropriate for chronic stress. They contain calcium and magnesium which are essential nutrients for the nervous tissue. Oat soothe the frayed feeling brought on by “burning the candle at both ends.”

Schisandra berry (Schisandra chinensis)*

An energizing adaptogen that enhances work and athletic performance, stimulates metabolism and acts as an antihepatotoxin. It astringes the jing—the vital essence—and is rich in anti-inflammatory flavanoids

Gotu Kola fresh herb (Centella asiatica)*

A traditional Ayurvedic “brain tonic.” It increases cerebral circulation, improves memory, acts as a systemic anti-inflammatory and is an important medicine for auto-immune conditions.

Rhodiola root (Rhodiola rosea)*

Or Arctic Rose root, is a little known adapogen used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and extensively studied in Russia and Sweden. This cooling adapogen is perfect for excess constitutions with hypertension, liver fire rising headaches (red face, ears and eyes, and sharp pain behind the eyes) and excessive anger.

American Ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius) *

Considered the most powerful tonic medicine by the Cherokee people. In Chinese medicine it is also extensively used as a balanced tonic to strengthen the Chinese spleen and lung Qi. Less stimulating than Chinese Ginseng, this root is more appropriate for daily use by both sexes, including the 20-40 year old age group.

Bibliography:

Bensky, D. and Gamble, A.  Chinese Herbal Medicine - Materia Medica, Seattle, 1986

Bone, K.  Clinical Applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese Herbs, Queensland, Australia, 1996

Ellingwood, F. and Lloyd, J. U.  American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, Evanston, IL, 1919

Zhou, J.  Recent Advances in Chinese Herbal Drugs, Beijing, 1991