Athletic Training & Adrenal Revitalizing Tonic This formula contains herbs that have been shown to feed and renew the adrenal glands, promoting activity and reintegration in body function. They contain the natural precursors of the adrenal hormones. The use of these herbs may be of benefit to those who have been on steroid drug therapy or for anyone in very stressful conditions. Due to the natural steroidal-like activity of herbs in this formula it may be an excellent addition to body building, weight lifting and athletic training programs for men and women.

Contents: Brazilian Suma root, Peruvian Maca root, Chinese Cordyceps Fungus, Siberian Ginseng (Chinese Ciwujia) root, Mexican Wild Yam root, Licorice Root, Korean Panax Ginseng root, Saw Palmetto Berry and Mexican Damiana leaf in a base containing concentrated Bee Pollen extract. 20 to 45 drops 2-3 times daily. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Ingredient descriptions:

Brazilian Suma Root (Pfaffia paniculata)

Actions: Adaptogen, tonic, aphrodisiac, restorative, astringent.

Common Use: Suma root, also known as Para Todo (For All Things) is called "Brazilian Ginseng" by some herbalists and is one of the most highly regarded South American herbs. While not a true member of the Panax ginseng family, it is an authentic adaptogenic herb, and as such exerts a normalizing influence on your body and can help regulate and enhance your endocrine, nervous, digestive, cardiovascular and immune systems. South American Natives have used Suma for centuries to treat wounds, skin rashes, low energy and sexual disinterest. The overall effect is to give you an increased resistance to stress while having a cell-building and regenerating effect. It also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate chronic and acute pain. Suma root is also quite valuable nutritionally as it contains essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and trace elements. Researchers have identified 152 chemical constituents in the root, including 19 amino acids, electrolytic and trace minerals such as iron, magnesium, cobalt, silica and zinc, as well as vitamins A, B-1, B-2, E, K and pantothenic acid. It contains high amounts of the trace element germanium, which is a powerful immune stimulator. The germanium may be partly responsible for Suma's powerful ability to bring more oxygen to the cells. Suma root is becoming quite popular because of its high content of several palnt hormones. It is considered one of the richest sources of B-Ecdysterone, a plant hormone that can help maintain your youth and strength. B-Ecdysterone can also accelerate wound healing , along with allantoin (comfrey also contains allantoin), a known cellular rebuilder that is present in this plant. Research in Brazil, Japan and the United States has found unique natural substances in Suma called pfaffosides which are believed to reduce tumors and regulate blood sugar levels. Suma helps regulate your blood pressure, cholesterol, hormones (especially estrogen) and acid-base balance. Doctors and herbalists in South America, North America and Europe have successfully treated people with conditions as diverse as chronic low energy and weakness, recurrent infections, viral syndromes, early onset of various cancers, diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, PMS, benign prostrate enlargement, impotence, rheumatism and peptic ulcers. You can benefit by using Suma root as a healing agent, tonic or aphrodisiac. Not recommended if pregant or nursing.

Peruvian Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii)

Actions: Nutritive, aphrodisiac, tonic, adaptogen.

Common Use: Peruvian Maca root, or Amazon Ginseng as it is sometimes referred to, is a vegetable root or tuber, related to the potato and the Mexican Wild Yam. Maca root has been used by the native Peruvians since before the time of the Incas for both its nutritional and medicinal properties. It contains significant amounts of amino acids, complex carbohydrates, vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E and minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium and iron. This herb has been traditionally used to increase energy, vitality, stamina and endurance in athletes, promote mental clarity, as an aphrodisiac for both men and women, for male impotence, menstrual irregularities and female hormone imbalances, including menopause. Due to the number of steroidal glycosides present in Maca root it is gaining popualrity amongst weight lifters and body builders as a natural alternative to anabolic steroids. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Chinese Cordyceps Fungus (Codonopsis pilosula)

Actions: Adaptogen, tonic, immune stimulant, restorative.

Common Uses: Caterpillar fungus or Winter Worm - Summer Grass, those are the common names used for the highly prized Chinese tonic herb Cordyceps, which gained national publicity in a mainstream publication (Newsweek) a few years back because of its use by Chinese women athletes engaged in breaking world running records. In ancient China this fungus was used exclusively in the Emperor's Palace because of its scarcity. Approximately 5 grams were stuffed into the stomach of a duck and roasted until well cooked, then the Cordyceps was removed and the duck was slowly eaten, twice daily over a period of 8-10 days, this was thought to be as potent as 50 grams of Panax Ginseng. The New York Journal of Medicine reported that Cordyceps has properties similar to Ginseng, being used to strengthen the body after exhaustion or long term illness. It has traditionally been used for impotence, backache, to increase sperm production and to increase blood production. In China, Cordyceps is used medically to regulate and support the gonads and as a lung and kidney tonic. It is used specifically for excess tiredness, chronic cough and asthma, impotence, debility, anemia, to build the bone marrow and reduce excess phlegm. The clinical studies done on Cordyceps in China have been numerous and remarkable, indicating the fungus can improve liver functions, reduce cholesterol, adjust protein metabolism, improve immune functions, inhibit lung carcinoma and has a therapeutic value in the relief of aging disorders including loss of sexual drive. These are just some of the reported benefits attributed to this remarkable fungus. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Siberian Ginseng Root (Eleutherococcus senticosus)Chinese Ciwujia

Actions: Adaptogen, circulatory stimulant, tonic, vasodilator.

Common Use: This herb may safely be used to increase stamina when under stress. After nearly a thousand studies, Siberian Ginseng has been shown to increase energy and stamina and to help the body resist viral infections, environmental toxins, radiation and chemotherapy. In Chinese Medicine it has been used to prevent bronchial, respiratory and viral infections, provide energy and vitality, increase resistance to stress, treat rheumatic and heart ailments, improve cardiovascular and neurovascular conditions and help restore memory, concentration and cognitive abilities which may be impaired from poor blood supply to the brain. Additionally Siberian Ginseng is a popular remedy for debility, depression, fatigue and nervous breakdowns. It has a growing reputation for increasing all kinds of body resistance. Also used to regulate low blood pressure and increase circulation. Excellent as a general tonic. Recommended to be taken for 3-6 months consecutively for best results.

Mexican Wild Yam Root (Mexican Wild Yam root)

Actions: Antispasmodic, hepatic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, cholagogue, uterine tonic.

Common Use: This valuable herb was at one time the sole source of the chemicals that were used as the raw materials for contraceptive hormone manufacture. In 1936, Japanese researchers discovered glycoside saponins in several Mexican yam species, from these, steroid saponins, primarily diosgenin, could be derived. These derivatives could then be converted to progesterone, an intermediate in cortisone production. Steroid drugs derived from diosgenin include corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, androgens and estrogens (yams do not contain , as sometimes believed, full blown estrogens or other hormones - these substances are produced after four processing steps). Such findings might help explain why, during the previous two centuries of American medicine, wild yam roots have successfully been employed in treating menstrual cramps, ovarian neuralgia and cramps, after pains and other problems of menses and child birth. Also known to have a therapeutic action on overall liver health, it is believed that wild yam root's ability to lower blood cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure indirectly helps the liver by increasing its efficiency and reducing stress. Also indicated in the relief of rheumatoid arthritis, especially the acute phase where there is intense inflammation.

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Actions: Expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, adrenal agent, antispasmodic, mild laxative, alterative, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antitoxic, tonic, pectoral.

Common Use: In China, licorice root has been called "The Great Detoxifier." It acts on the endocrine system and the liver as an anti-hepatotoxic effective in treating hepatitis and cirrhosis. Also as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory it is useful in coughs and bronchitis. A recent study found that licorice root actually stimulates the production of interferon, that critical chemical in the immune system that could be the key to preventing and treating many immune response deficiency diseases. A group of Russian researchers have found that licorice root inhibits the growth of certain tumors. Licorice Root also possesses estrogenic activity, and is said to be beneficial as a uterine tonic and to induce normal ovulation. This herb is also included in the Hoxsey formula. Caution: Excessive and prolonged use of licorice root can cause sodium retention and potassium depletion. Potassium supplementation (75-100mg daily) prevents this problem. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Panax Ginseng Root (Panax ginseng)
aka Chinese and Korean ginseng

Actions: Adaptogen, tonic, restorative, anti-oxidant, immune stimulant.

Common Use: Korean Ginseng has a high content of the Rg1 group of Ginsenosides which are arousing, stimulating and cause an increase in motor activity. This root has also been of benefit in conditions of tiredness, weakness, debility, convalescence, low resistance and aging. It acts on the adrenal and pituitary glands to help them respond to stress more rapidly and is also used to increase mental and physical work capacity, increase concentration and mental activity, enhance mental acuity and intellectual and physical performance and benefit the immune system among other things. May cause a slight insomnia if taken at bedtime.

Saw Palmetto Berry (Serenoa repens)

Actions: Diuretic, tonic, urinary antiseptic, endocrine agent.

Common Use: This herb acts to tone and strengthen the male reproductive system. It may be used safely where a boost to the male sex hormones is required. It is specific in cases of enlarged prostate glands. Also useful in all infections of the genito-urinary tract.

Mexican Damiana Leaf (Angelica sinensis)

Actions: Aphrodisiac, tonic, nervine, antidepressant, urinary antiseptic.

Common Use: Damiana is an excellent strengthening remedy for the nervous and hormonal system. Useful in treating depression and anxiety, particularly when influenced by sexual factors. Also used to strengthen the male sexual system. It has an ancient reputation as an aphrodisiac. Not recommended if pregnant or nursing.

Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is a dense source of protein and is considered to be a complete food. It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, protein, amino acids, hormones, enzymes and fats. It has long been used to increase energy and mental alertness, slow down the aging process and retain youthful energy. It is frequently taken by athletes to increase performance levels and there is some scientific evidence available that supports this claim. Available in formula only. Bee pollen may cause allergic reactions in some people.