Steffi
What do Shisandra berries, rose root, taiga root and panax ginseng have in common? They all belong to the group of adaptogens. At the end of the 40 years, a certain Dr. Nikolai Lazarev plants together that increase the adaptability or resistance of the human organism to stress. In numerous experiments in the Soviet Union on workers and soldiers both stress-related symptoms such as sleep disorders, mental and physical exhaustion were mitigated, as well as their occurrence under increased load can be avoided. And that without habituation effects or side effects.
A promise too good to be true: plants that arm the body against any kind of stress, strengthening and thereby neither incite nor addiction. Adaptogens.
Arnold Schwarzenegger as a prototypical "Überrussen" in "Red Heat" in mind, the author was ready for a trial with the miraculous herbs. Quite I did not want to rely on qualitatively questionable Russian studies. Two TCM doctors were asked for their expertise and drew a different picture. "A very fundamental principle of TCM is that there is never a herb or food that is healthy for everyone," Dr. Christopher Po Minar.
And went even further: "Definitely I would classify the intake of the adaptogens you mentioned without medical supervision as extremely critical and definitely not recommend." Shi Chun Wen, also a TCM doctor from Vienna confirmed that. Only the rose root was classified as more or less harmless, because "Yin and Yang-neutral".
Self-experiment rosacea vs. Maca
"A spoonful of maca in the morning in the almond milk and you run like the droning bunny from advertising - by the way, in every way."
That facilitated the choice. In the next health food store I was offered on request, rose root in capsule form. "We recommend him when people complain about fatigue and lack of energy", the saleswoman let me know. "And 9 from 10 customers bought it again". That sounded promising.
Likewise, studies found an appetite-suppressing effect in rats with binge eating disorder. This I wanted to use in an upcoming trip to the United States. But unfortunately - wrong. Only when eating I was tireless.
Maca (picture) turned out to be a hit. The tuber from the Peruvian Andes is also one of the adaptogens. And rightly so, I think. A spoonful of it in the morning almond milk and I run like the hare from the battery advertising. Even with lack of sleep and high physical stress, there is still energy to use the libido-promoting effect!
adaptogens
Cat (Lepidium meyenii, picture): The cress plant occurs only in the Peruvian Andes, where it is used to increase vitality and fertility. The tuber is dried and ground taken, and is characterized by good compatibility without habituation effects. Also, the libido-promoting effect should not be caused by a change in the hormone balance.
Panax Ginseng (Korean ginseng) owes its potency ginsenosides as well as polysaccharides. There are indications of immunocompromising qualities. Furthermore, red ginseng has a positive effect on erectile dysfunction, but it is unfavorable for hypertension.
Rhodiola rosea (rose root): Effective at fatigue and fatigue. This seems to be related to increased serotonin shedding and reduction of corticosteroids. The fruit fly experiment showed a life-prolonging effect of up to 20 percent.
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Borstige Taiga root): In Siberia, the plant has traditionally been used to increase physical stamina and strengthen the immune system. In Soviet studies, increased functionality was found under heavy stress, including sleep deprivation.
Schisandra chinensis (schisandra berries): Are used to promote immune defense, but also for toning and vitalization. Thanks to its ability to reduce stress, also as a sleep aid. Lingnans are the main active ingredient group here.
Faszien, an old acquaintance!
In my youth, connective tissue was primarily a women's topic. Women's magazines were in recommendations to the "cellulite fright" with martial means to back up: With Bürstenkuren, plucking massages, Kaltwassergüssen and similar torments.
Meanwhile, we all have fascia and not just on the thighs. According to recent research, the fiber network that pervades the body does a lot more than
thought. Our mobility probably depends to a large extent on the quality of the fascial structures. Because if there is a lack of exercise, one-sided strain or injury, these can stick together and harden, leading to malposition and pain. A theory that I could immediately apply to my hunchback and associated tensions.
Faszientherapie
Fascia (according to lat. Fascia, the band) pulls through the body like a net and envelops muscles, bones and organs. These are fiber bundles, which consist of collagen, elastin and liquid. Recently, immune cells, nerve cells and also a connection to the vegetative nervous system could be detected. Long seen in medicine as packaging, the founder of osteopathy AT Still
1899 already points out its significant role for the organism.
In the course of the last century, various osteopathic techniques developed, such as Rolfing according to Ida Rolf, or the fascial distraction model by Stephen Typaldos. Nevertheless, only in recent decades has the systematic exploration of fascia tissue begun, and thus a reevaluation of meaning; especially with regard to its role in motion sequences.
This was preceded by the discovery that the kangaroo owes its bounce to 90 percent of its fascia. The discussion of the lumbar fascia as a possible trigger of non-spinal disc-related back pain caused a great media echo.
Better to do it yourself
Both in fitness blogs as well as in my living room, I often stumbled over a black role. The man of the house had been practicing gymnastics for some time, praising the tension-relieving effect as if he was getting money from the manufacturer. But somehow the whole thing was suspicious to me. With various plastic tools (the diversity of which is very much in keeping with male collecting passion), simply pushing around where it hurts seemed too banal. Friendly declarations to do the same, I declined decidedly. An adult maladjustment like mine was not comparable to tense calves after running.
An expert had to come here. I found this in a Viennese physio practice. Twice I went into the hands of a faszienkundigen physiotherapist. Had she spared me the first time, and subjected me to a gentle myofascial massage, it went on the second pass significantly harder. By the way, much to my delight. Because only when it hurts really, it works, so my logic. The treatment of some trigger points and fascia under the clavicle, made me yodel inwardly in pain and triumph a little. "That's the way it should be," I thought. No funny rolling around. Professionally induced, therapeutic pain.
A little later, however, I was leaning against a doorstep, with a ball in between. In addition, I had received a lecture on the benefits of self-treatment. "This is a really effective, simple method and you really can not go wrong," she enthused, recommending "two minutes per spot, or a little longer until the tension subsides."
Since then, I have also been practicing the ball, and that actually helps really well. Maybe I'll take a closer look at how the man does it with the roll.
Cryotherapy - Frozen lasts longer
Another way to completely renew is the cryotherapy dar. That cooling in pain kills well, probably already discovered the first hominid. A resourceful rheumatologist from Japan, Toshiro Yamauchi, then went a few steps further at the end of the 1970 years. True to the motto "Much helps a lot" he exposed his patients to the cold for up to -170 degrees for a few minutes. Apparently with success, because whole body cryotherapy is offered worldwide and not only for rheumatism sufferers.
Supposedly, top athletes regenerate particularly well and well thanks to cryotherapy. And also for complaints of a completely different kind, this is recommended. Skin diseases such as psoriasis or lupus and read and marvel depression and anxiety. Not to mention aesthetic wonders such as fat and cellulite reduction. Some cryosaunas are already available for home use on the Internet, but medical supervision should not be waived. Because cold treatment is really not for people with cardiovascular diseases and thrombosis.
The self-test in swimwear with hood, gloves and mouth guard shivering with neat -100 degree, the author remains guilty as a convinced hot bath. Cold is only used internally. In the form of gelato. Increases the well-being tremendously.
cryotherapy
Composed from the Greek word for cold "kryos" and "therapy" treatment. Cryotherapy includes cold-based applications ranging from cryosurgery (eg, local destruction of tumor tissue via cold) to whole-body cold chamber applications where max. 3 minutes to -110 C is suspended. This should reduce the sensation of pain and stop inflammatory processes. The first treatment success with cold baths has already been achieved by Pastor Kneipp in the 19. Century in tuberculosis sick. The inventor of modern whole-body cryotherapy is the Japanese rheumatologist T. Yamauchi.
Some small studies prove beneficial effects in rheumatic diseases, depression, but also in skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Overall, however, the study situation must be described as quite thin. The cosmetic procedure of cryolipolysis is used to reduce cellulite and fat deposits.
Photo / Video: Shutterstock.
