Can herbal medicine help you? Whether you want to improve your sports training, improve athletic performance or just find energy to deal with a busy schedule.
Does this feel familiar? Feeling stressed with a busy life and hectic schedule? Too tired to do any exercise? Taking too long to recover from a sports event? You want to improve your race or event performance?
In China and India the use of a 'tonic' to fortify health and promote longevity dates back thousands of year. Research on these 'tonic' herbs now called adaptogens began in 1947 and it’s showing that they have remarkable health-protective properties and that they can play an important role in helping strengthen resistance to the daily stresses of life (Winston, 2007 p.91).
Herbal Adaptogens may help the body to use energy more effectively and athletes, joggers, runners, and people from all walks of life who work hard and play hard have experienced these benefits.
The use of herbal adaptogens to improve athletic performance became more widely known when it was reported that the 1994 Russian Olympic team had been using Siberian ginseng as part of their training programme, they went on to win 11 gold medals.
Dr. Nikolai Lazarev defines an adaptogen 'as an agent that allows the body to counter adverse physical, chemical, or biological stressors and allows the organism to “adapt” to the stressful circumstances’ (Winston, 2007 p.17), such as heavy training schedules and tough sport events. More recently adaptogens are considered to have: non-toxic effects on the body i.e. minimal side effects; nonspecific defensive response to stress i.e. power of adaption to keep the body balanced when affected by multiple stressors; a harmonising influence on the body.
According to extensive research and experiments done on Russian athletes using ginseng ‘scientists have reliably demonstrated the value of adaptogens for increasing endurance and shortening recovery time from both training and sports injuries’ (Winston, 2007 p.91). The athletes were able to use oxygen much more efficiently and the Ginseng reduced stress, having a positive effect on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Many athletes report that ginseng helps them to build strength and endurance, and helps them overcome the strain and drain of exercise.
Health Management & Sports Coach says:
"Competing as an endurance athlete for more than 15 years in events such as ironman triathlons, ultra marathons…and swimming the channel, has demanded an existence of hard physical training. A career running around teaching sport to children and adults as well as setting up health regimes within the corporate sector requires heaps of energy. My tough training routine coupled with the aging process has forced me to find new ways to make sure my health and energy levels are in good order to support my lifestyle. In seeking support from a Herbalist who put together a personalised treatment, specific to my needs, my energy levels are now more stable and my recovery time from endurance events and hard training has improved". Craig aged 36
Adaptogens are not one type or a predetermined mixture of herbs, but a variety of plants that may be used alone or in combination with one another. It is thought that Adaptogens, when used alone or in combination, promote the balance of the endocrine (hormone) system while also boosting the immune system. These herbs are thought to promote homeostasis, or a state of balance and stability, in the body (www.healthline.com/natstandardcontent/alt-adaptogens).
There are a number of adaptogens: Ashwaganda, Reishi, including several types of Ginsengs, Licourice, Schizandra berries and Rhodiola as well as many others. Herbalists believe adaptogens work by supporting adrenal function, enabling cells to access more energy and helping cells eliminate toxic metabolic by-products which all helps to improve the regulation of the body's natural rhythms. Though they all work in similar ways, each adaptogen has a distinct personality and unique medicinal qualities (http://docsaleeby.blogspot.com).
Whether you’re considering using adaptogens to increase your energy levels to cope with stress and a busy lifestyle or you’re wanting to improve your athletic training schedule, or race results it’s best to see a qualified Herbalist. The Herbalist will formulate a personalised treatment plan to suit each person depending on their needs, with the correct dosage and combination of herbs.
For further information please contact:
Sue Hardman
Email: suehardman@yahoo.com
M. 07747 000 591
References: Winston D, Maimes S, 2007. Adaptogens. Healing Arts Press , Vermont.
www.healthline.com/natstandardcontent/alt-adaptogens and http://docsaleeby.blogspot.com.
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