Adaptogens

Hello,
can people with transplanted liver also use Schisandra, please?
Thank you for your response.

This combination should always be approved by the attending physician. However, it is highly probable that they will be against it, as Schisandra affects the function of drugs that are metabolized in the liver (Schisandra supports liver function), and an increase in the blood level of tacrolimus (an immunosuppressant) has been proven in patients after liver transplantation.

Hello,

Is it permissible to use ginseng or other adaptogens in the case of autoimmune diseases? I assume probably not, when immunosuppressants are being used, but what if the disease is kept in remission and the person is not on medication?

Thank you.

This is a complex topic. The choice of phytotherapy always depends on which autoimmune disease you want to address based on which tissue or cell group is affected:

- Skin and mucous membranes (lupus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis),
- Joints and cartilage (rheumatoid arthritis),
- Digestive system (Crohn's disease),
- Endocrine glands (autoimmune diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis),
- Nervous system (myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis).

Since autoimmune processes lead to the development of inflammation, it is further necessary to determine whether the herb should serve a more immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory function. Adaptogens are not sufficiently immunosuppressive on their own to halt the autoimmune process, which is why they are commonly used in alternative medicine. In our conditions, the most commonly used are ashwagandha and true ginseng (often as a supplement to regular medication), which can also be combined.

Hello,

You mention that adaptogens are not suitable for epileptics. I would like to ask why and which ones? If there are any exceptions for certain types of epilepsy or specific types of adaptogens, could you please specify them here?

This is a general recommendation regarding the entire group of adaptogens. Given the specificity of these substances' effects on body systems and their practically immeasurable and precisely unassessable effects and influences, they are deemed inappropriate for individuals with epilepsy (the reasons are primarily preventive and safety-related). Experimenting with them is risky; be cautious in this regard, as they increase the overall vitality of the organism and thus also influence the brain's electrochemical activity.

Good day,

Most adaptogens should not be used for more than half a year. How long should the break be before starting another use or cycle of the same or a different adaptogen? Can these herbs be freely combined? Is there a recommended amount or combination of adaptogens that we can suggest in "one six-month cycle"? Are there combinations that are not recommended?

Thank you in advance for your response.

Setting cycles is a highly individual matter, always primarily related to the needs (i.e., the purpose of use) of the individual. Generally, after a longer phase of intake, a shorter break should follow, typically lasting weeks.

The combination of different adaptogens should adhere to certain rules - at the very least, it is advisable to avoid consuming several typically stimulating adaptogenic herbs simultaneously due to the potential risk of overdose, which has similar symptoms to those of caffeine (a small exception here is short-term efforts to maximize stimulation in athletes before performance) - this primarily concerns maca and rhodiola, or possibly Siberian ginseng.

Each adaptogenic herb contains substances that influence metabolism in a specific way and direction. When seeking suitable combinations, this fact must be taken into account and herbs with opposing effects should not be used concurrently - for instance, schisandra, which has a harmonizing effect on the nervous system (commonly used as part of depression treatment), and rhodiola, which conversely stimulates the function of the nervous system.