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MEDIHERB: Withania Complex 

History

The Withania Complex consists of a unique blend of Withania, Licorice, Skullcap, and Korean Ginseng that acts as an effective adrenal support.

Due to increasing stress loads, the body has developed defense mechanisms that allow one to deal with life-threatneing dangers. This response is known as the the “fight-or-flight” reaction. When the individual perceives threat, the body moves into “high gear” providing energy, speed, and concentration to fight or to run. This is accomplished through nerve and hormonal signals, which encourage the adrenal glands to release hormones. An important group of hormones produced by the adrenal glands are the glucocorticoids. They act to enhance resistance to stress and support for your health.

Although many of the stressors that our ancestors had faced are now erased, the persisting challenges of modern life cause the body to be in a constant state of stress. This chronic stress may manifest itself as sleep difficulties, digestive upset, and/or poor concentration.

Withania (otherwise known as Ashwaganda) has been traditionally been used in India as a general body tonic. It provides energy during times of temporary stress and gently strengthens the nervous system. Skullcap is a nerve tonic which supports vitality, cognitive function, and nervous system health. These effects are particularly beneficial during temporary stress. Korean Ginseng has also been used in the traditional Chinese system to support the nervous system. The potent blend of the adaptogenic herbs in the Withania Complex counteracts the effects of stress, allowing you to feel better, stronger, and healthier.

Indications

• Helps increase endurance and stamina
• Beneficial during times of stress
• Helps maintain general well-being

Contraindications

• Consult health care practitioner prior to use if you have diabetes, hypokalemia, or if you are taking any kind of hormonal therapies, diuretics, potassium depleting agents, CNS depressants, benzodiazepines, herbs with sedative properties, MAO inhibitors
• Consult health care practitioner if symptoms persist
• DO NOT USE if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have impaired kidney or liver functions, high blood pressure, or heart disease
• Discontinue use 7 days prior to general anesthesia

References

¹ Mayo Clinic Staff. Stress: Unhealthy response to the pressures of life. 12 September 2006. Available from www.mayoclinic.com/print/stress/SR00001/METHOD=print. Accessed May 2007.

² Guyton AC, Hall JE. Textbook of Medical Physiology, 10^th Edn. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 2000.

³ Wagner H, Norr H, Winterhoff H. Phytomed 1994; 1(1): 63-76

⁴ Bone, K.  Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs. Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. Churchill Livingstone, USA, 2003.

⁵ Mills, S. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. Thorsons, London, 1989.

⁶ Mills SY. The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine. Penguin Arkana (Penguin), London, 1991.

⁷ American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Ashwagandha Root – Withania somnifera: Analytical, Quality Control, and Therapeutic Monograph. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Santa Cruz, April 2000.

⁸ Kappor LD. CRC Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1990.

⁹ British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. BHMA, Bournemouth, 1983.

¹⁰ Holmes P. The Energetics of Western Herbs: Treatment Strategies Integrating Western and Oriental Herbal Medicine, Vol 2, Revised 3^rd Edn. Snow Lotus Press, Boulder, 1998.

¹¹ Pharmacopoeia Commission of the People’s Republic of China.  Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, English Edn, Vol 1. Chemical Industry Press, Beijing, 1997.

¹² Venkataraghavan S, Seshadri C, Sundaresan TP et al. J Res Ayu Sid 1980; 1: 370-385.

¹³ Kuppurajan K, Rajagopalan SS, Sitaraman R et al. J Res Ayu Sid 1980; 1: 247-258.

¹⁴ Roy AS, Acharya SB, De AK et al. International Seminar – Traditional Medicine, Calcutta, Nov 7-9, 1992: p 161.

¹⁵ Kraus SD. J Exp Med 1958; 108(3): 325-328.

History

Licorice has been used for thousands of years around the world for many purposes including supporting adrenal health. Rehmannia is used in traditional Chinese medicine  to replenish vitality. The synergistic blend of Licorice and Rehmannia will support the adrenal glands and provide a healthy response to stress.

Indications

• Restores adrenal function to reduce the effects of stress on the body
• Supports adrenal gland health and energy production to help combat fatigue
• Helps the body adapt to the challenges of everyday life
• Promotes the body’s normal resistance function
• Support a healthy immune system when experiencing occasional stress

Contraindications

• Do not use if you are taking thiazide diuretics, cardiac glycosides, corticosteroids, stimulant laxatives, or other medications that may aggravate electrolyte imbalance
• Do not use if you have hypokalemia, high blood pressure or a kidney or cardiovascular disorder

Mediherb:  Adrenal Complex

per tablet

History

Although there are many species of Rhodiola, Rhodiola rosea contains the most important constituents: rosavins and salidroside. It is commonly used in traditional Russian medicine. The root of the Korean Ginseng is commonly used in natural medicine in both China and the West, as it is known for its stress relieving properties. The powerful combination of Rhodiola and Korean Ginseng helps the body by increasing the level of resistance to stress and by fine tuning the stress response system so that the body and cells are protected from an overactive stress response system.

Indications

• Promotes healthy glucose levels
• Supports cognitive function and/or reduces mental fatigue (stress)
• Enhances physical capacity/performance (in cases of physical stress)

Contraindications

• Consult with a health care practitioner if you have diabetes or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Consult with a health care practitioner if you are taking antidepressant, blood thinners, or digoxin medication
• Do not use if you are bipolar, manic, or have paranoid mental states

Mediherb:  Rhodiola and Ginseng Complex 

per tablet

References

¹ Panossian A, Wagner H. Phytother Res 2005; 19(10): 819-838

² Panossian A, Wikman G, Wagner H. Phytomedicine 1999; 6(4): 287-300

³ Harkey MR, Henderson GL, Gershin ME et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2001; 73(6): 1101-1106

⁴ Genzera M, Yayla Y, Khan IA. Chem Pharm Bull 2001; 49(4): 465-467