Which is better - ginseng or eleutherococcus? This question is asked by patients taking adaptogens. These two plants have similar properties. They help the body adapt to new conditions, have a tonic effect, strengthen immunity. However, there are some nuances of using these adaptogens that need to be considered. What is the difference between phytopreparations based on ginseng and eleutherococcus? We will consider these issues further.
Plant description
Ginseng is a perennial herb that belongs to the Araliev family. Translated from Chinese, the name of the plant means "root of life." Indeed, only the root part of the grass is used in medicine. The homeland of this plant is the Far East and Southeast Asia. This is a tall grass that can reach up to half a meter in height. Ginseng root is quite thick, with many branches. Its length reaches 15 cm. It has a grayish-yellow color and a pleasant smell.
Eleutherococcus - also grows in East Asia and belongs to the Araliev family. Only one species of this plant has healing properties - prickly eleutherococcus. This is a shrub with dark berries. It is its fruits that are used in medicine. Outwardly, they resemble peas of black pepper. Tinctures, decoctions, tablets and other herbal preparations are made from these berries.
You should consider another Far Eastern plant - Schisandra chinensis. This shrub belongs to the family Lemongrass. In medicine, its fruits are most often used. They look like red berries and have adaptogenic properties. Tincture from the seeds of the plant is also used.
Which is better - ginseng, eleutherococcus or lemongrass? The answer to this question will depend on the purpose of each of the adaptogens. Also, contraindications to the use of herbal preparations should be taken into account.
Beneficial features
Consider the beneficial properties of each plant. Since ancient times, ginseng has been used in oriental medicine. The alkaloids contained in its root have the following effects on the body:
- tonic;
- adaptogenic;
- antiemetic.
Phytopreparations from Eleutherococcus have a wider spectrum of action. This plant has not only adaptogenic and stimulating properties. Other useful qualities are known:
- The alkaloids of the fruit of the plant positively affect the metabolism of carbohydrates. Regular intake of tincture from Eleutherococcus berries helps lower blood sugar.
- Herbal remedies from Eleutherococcus improve twilight vision.
- Plant alkaloids stimulate the production of pituitary gonadotropin hormones.
Patients often ask the question: "Which is better - tincture of ginseng or Eleutherococcus?" These herbal remedies have a similar effect on the body, but at the same time they have differences. Eleutherococcus acts somewhat slower than ginseng. But its effect is longer. Therefore, it all depends on the desired result. If you need to achieve a quick result, it is better to take ginseng. If you need a slow, but long-lasting effect, then Eleutherococcus should be used. In this case, you need to pay attention to contraindications, which we will consider further.
As for the tincture of Chinese magnolia vine, this herbal product has mainly tonic qualities. It relieves fatigue and improves performance. Lemongrass also has small hypoglycemic properties and lowers sugar levels. The action of tincture of lemongrass manifests itself after 20-30 minutes after administration and lasts about 6 hours.
Indications
Doctors and traditional healers recommend taking ginseng-based drugs for the following diseases and conditions:
- neurosis;
- asthenic conditions;
- low blood pressure;
- VVD with hypotension;
- recovering from past illnesses.
As for eleutherococcus, it has the same indications for use. However, tinctures of the fruits of this plant can also be taken with diabetes mellitus, impaired potency, impaired vision in the dark. This is due to the hypoglycemic and gonadotropic properties of such herbal remedies. The alkaloids of the berries of Eleutherococcus reduce glucose and stimulate the production of pituitary hormones.
Patients with diabetes are often interested in: "Which is better - ginseng or eleutherococcus?". It should immediately be noted that herbal remedies are effective only in the mild form of the disease. They must be taken in combination with medications. Eleutherococcus and lemongrass have a more pronounced hypoglycemic effect. Ginseng is less able to affect blood sugar.
Also, ginseng is not able to increase the severity of twilight vision. With "night blindness" it is better to take tincture of Eleutherococcus or lemongrass together with vitamin A.
Often, patients take plant adaptogens during epidemics of influenza and colds. What is better for immunity - ginseng or eleutherococcus? First of all, it is important to remember that both herbal remedies are contraindicated in often ill children under the age of 5 years. Adaptogens in early childhood may turn into autoimmune diseases in the future.
Both ginseng and eleutherococcus have approximately the same immunomodulatory properties. Most often, seasonal outbreaks of colds occur in the autumn-winter period. It is at this time of year that doctors recommend taking ginseng. However, adaptogens are used only for prevention. If an infectious disease has already begun, then taking such drugs is contraindicated.
Contraindications
Preparations based on ginseng, eleutherococcus and lemongrass have approximately the same contraindications. They can not be taken with the following diseases and conditions:
- individual intolerance to plant components;
- hypertension
- insomnia;
- increased nervous excitability;
- tachycardia;
- epilepsy;
- infectious and somatic pathologies in the acute stage.
However, there are also special contraindications for each type of herbal preparations. Ginseng is not recommended for children under 16 years of age. Eleutherococcus and lemongrass can be consumed by adolescents from 12 years.
During pregnancy and lactation, phytopreparations based on ginseng and Eleutherococcus should not be taken. However, the intake of lemongrass is allowed during gestation. This remedy is even indicated for pregnant women with low blood pressure and toxicosis. But it should be remembered that only a doctor can prescribe such a drug. During lactation, it is forbidden to take any adaptogens, as they enter the milk and stimulate the nervous system of the child.
Side effects
What phytopreparation has minimal undesirable effects? Which is better - ginseng or eleutherococcus? Adaptogenic herbal medicines have a number of common side effects. Their administration can lead to the appearance of the following undesirable symptoms:
- insomnia
- nervous excitability;
- increase in blood pressure;
- dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, diarrhea).
However, each drug has its own characteristics. Eleutherococcus-based medications usually increase appetite. Therefore, they are undesirable to take overweight people. Ginseng and lemongrass accelerate the metabolism and promote weight loss.
Taking drugs with Eleutherococcus can cause a feeling of heat. Therefore, they should not be consumed at elevated temperatures. Also, these funds are contraindicated in hot flashes during menopause. In such cases, Eleutherococcus is better replaced with ginseng or lemongrass.
An overdose of ginseng drugs is more dangerous than taking an excessive dose of tinctures or tablets with Eleutherococcus or lemongrass. In patients with this, severe tachycardia, a rise in blood pressure and anxiety were noted. If the patient takes a large dose of other adaptogens, then this usually leads to a decrease in the therapeutic effect, but does not cause serious intoxication.
Doctors do not recommend taking different types of adaptogenic drugs at the same time. This can adversely affect the functioning of the heart and nervous system, as well as cause a jump in blood pressure.
Application features
The answer to the question of which is better - ginseng or eleutherococcus will also depend on the time of year. These herbal preparations are recommended to be used in different seasons. Experts do not recommend taking ginseng tinctures in the summer, when the heat is. Such drugs can be used only in winter and autumn. Taking ginseng is very important to lead an active lifestyle. During the course of treatment, a person needs physical activity. You can use ginseng tinctures for no more than 1 month.
As for eleutherococcus, drugs based on it can be taken year-round. In any season, it is allowed to use tincture of Chinese lemongrass.
special instructions
It should be remembered that any adaptogenic tonic phytopreparations interact with medications. If the patient takes pharmaceutical stimulants or nootropics, tinctures based on ginseng, eleutherococcus and lemongrass will enhance the effect of drugs.
If a person undergoes a course of treatment with sedative medications, then tonic adaptogenic herbal remedies can weaken the therapeutic effect. There is no point at the same time taking sedatives and tinctures of plants that have a stimulating effect on the body. In this case, the effect of the treatment is reduced to zero.
Reviews
Adaptogenic herbal preparations have earned a lot of positive reviews. Which is better - ginseng or eleutherococcus? Patients have different opinions on this.
Many people believe that Eleutherococcus has a milder and longer lasting effect on the body than ginseng. It has fewer contraindications and side effects. In addition, it can be taken at any time of the year. Therefore, many patients prefer eleutherococcus. Some people find tincture of lemongrass effective. However, this tool does not have a wide spectrum of action and is most often used as a tonic.
However, patients often give a completely different answer to the question: "Which is better - tincture of ginseng or Eleutherococcus?". Reviews of ginseng-based drugs indicate the rapid action of such funds. These tinctures in a short time lead the patient into an active and alert state, and also stimulate mental activity. The effect of taking such funds is noticeable after 20 - 30 minutes. The disadvantages of such phytopreparations patients include their short-term effect. Therefore, it is necessary to take ginseng tincture quite often.
It can be concluded that it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question: "Which of the adaptogens is better?" It all depends on the purpose of the drug, health status and age of the patient. Only a doctor can decide on the possibility of using this or that herbal remedy.