Leuzea safflower: useful properties and contraindications * Crossfit

Leuzea is a natural herbal anabolic containing ecdysones. Leuzea-based preparations successfully replace similar synthetic preparations, therefore they are actively used in sports and medicine for the construction of protein molecules. Ecdysones are compounds that resemble steroids or phytohormones in structure and function. Substances are obtained from the aboveground and underground parts of the plant. Ecdysones are among the main components of many sports nutrition products.

General information

Leuzea (bighead, raponticum, stemakanth, maral root) is a beautiful perennial plant of the Aster family with unusual dome-shaped flowers and ribbed stems. It resembles a thistle, but unlike it is devoid of thorns. This long-liver among herbs can live for a hundred years. It has a powerful root and large lower leaves that accumulate hormonal components. The flower grows up to two meters in height. The inflorescence is a purple or lilac tubular basket.

Nothing special from their "relatives" does not differ, but attracts animals as a remedy. In Siberia, deer are treated for her, therefore there she is called the maral root and it is believed that she can miraculously cure 14 diseases, since it exhibits tonic and general tonic properties. Leuzea grows in the mountains of Altai and Central Asia.

Collect it at the age of three to four years. This is the peak concentration of useful components. Rhizomes are stored for no more than two years.

Scientists of Tomsk University conducted more than one clinical trial of the pharmacological and pharmacognostic properties of the plant, on the basis of which, since 1961, leuzea preparations have been included in the State Pharmacopoeia of Russia.

Properties

Leuzea safflower has a unique composition: many esters, resins, tannins, alkaloids of vitamin C, A, anthrachions (peristaltic detoxifiers), natural psychostimulant inocosterone, inulin, coumarins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, citric, succinic, oxalic acid, gum , minerals, phosphorus, calcium, arsenic.

Such a set of biologically active substances endows the plant with a powerful effect on the human body. However, the basis of this influence is inocosterone and edysterone.

Thanks to them, the bighead:

It has a tonic effect, increases endurance.
Resists cachexia of various origins.
Tones up the body.
Improves potency.
Stimulates libido.
Activates immunity at different levels.
Lowers blood sugar.
Expands blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure.
Accelerates blood flow.
It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, relieves irritability, fatigue, and fatigue.
Promotes skin regeneration and stimulates osteosynthesis.
Restores normal blood parameters.
Blocks the growth of tumors.
Treats alcoholism.

In fact, Leuzea is a real natural adaptogen.

Use in various industries

The plant is in demand in medicine, cosmetology and dermatology, it is used in aromatherapy and bodybuilding.

Dermatocosmetology

In cosmetology, attention was paid to the ability of the raponticum extract to activate the electrolyte and oxygen exchange of dermal cells. Therefore, the extract is a constituent element of many creams, lotions, serums, tonics. Its effect is manifested by skin rejuvenation, regeneration, and wrinkle smoothing.

Every practicing dermatologist or cosmetologist has in his luggage his own recipe for a rejuvenating composition, which includes, in different proportions and combinations, an alcoholic extract of leuzea, celandine, meadowsweet, placenta; esters of jasmine, ylang-ylang, carnation, neroli, rose, patchouli - about 0.7% to the total volume. Such a solution whitens, rejuvenates, moisturizes.

Dermatologists use the plant's essential oils to combat neurotic dermatitis by adding them to toning serums and gels. A common maral root decoction acts as a tonic in daily care. If it is frozen and used in the morning, the effect will be pronounced and lasting. Leuzea decoctions are also used for hair treatment. The plant stimulates the growth of rods, strengthens the bulbs, and prevents hair loss. You just need to rinse your hair after each wash.

The hair mask is especially effective. It is easy to prepare it yourself: a large spoonful of olive oil, yolk and a few drops of raponticum oil are mixed and applied along the entire length of the hair for 20 minutes before shampooing.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapists advise adding the plant's ether to aroma lamps and medallions. In addition, it is excellent for local massage: it promotes concentration, relieves irritability, fatigue, normalizes sleep, activates memory, restores vision - it performs all the functions of an adaptogen.

Bolshegolovnik ether is also used for hangovers, migraines, prolonged work at the computer, hookah smoking, aroma baths and inhalations.

Food industry

Leuzea in the composition of Russian tonic drinks has become a worthy response to Western counterparts. Baikal, Sayany, Tarhun are drinks from Chernogolovka, which today are successfully conquering the domestic market, restoring their former glory and displacing Coca-Cola, Pepsi and other imports. In addition, raponticum is added to jams, honey, pastries, and bread.

Medicine

There are legends about how miraculously quickly Leuzea restores strength, saturates the body with energy. We have mentioned 14 diseases that maral root cures. Here they are:

Neurasthenia, CNS disorders of any genesis.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, depression.
Insomnia.
Migraine.
Lack of appetite.
Impotence, erectile dysfunction.
Vegetovascular dystonia, hypotension and a constant feeling of weakness.
Alcoholism.
Peripheral vascular stenosis, slowing blood flow.
Poor performance.
Trophic ulcers.
Inflammatory diseases of the female genital area, PMS, secondary infertility.
Diseases of the hematopoietic system.
Varicose veins.

The basis of therapy is its energetic effect. The plant literally reanimates the affected cells, restoring their vitality. Therefore, in the treatment, it is primarily the stimulating abilities of the plant, its adaptogenic and psychotropic properties that are used. It is they who affect the pathologies provoked by disturbances in the work of the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.

Bighead in sports

Natural adaptogen has certain indications for use in sports training:

Muscle building.
Correction of the metabolism of the heart muscle.
Prevention and treatment of overtraining.
Recovery of hepatocytes in combination with hepatoprotectors.
Relief of anemia in combination with iron preparations.
Increased potency.
Acclimatization period.
Reconvalescence - speeds up the recovery time.

Leuzea stimulates the endurance of athletes and increases their adaptive capacity during overload. This guarantees the achievement of high results in sports. A surge of strength and energy is the motivation to increase training loads.

In addition, the big head accelerates post-workout rehabilitation by stimulating redox processes, eliminating lactic and pyruvic acid toxins - the main cause of post-workout fatigue.

Plant preparations accumulate glycogen in the liver and myocardium, which is the main fuel for muscles. Only after it is completely consumed do amino acids and fatty acids come into play, contributing to muscle growth. Leuzea has another property that makes it irreplaceable during training. In therapeutic doses, it is completely safe due to its natural origin.

Take maral root in the form of an alcoholic tincture in a ratio of 1:10, in a large spoon, three times a day before meals. Or in tablets with the addition of ascorbic acid. The maximum course duration is 3 months.

Preparations:

Leuzea P - tablets that stimulate the digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems. This, in turn, leads to the activation of self-regulation processes and the restoration of the necessary balance of the vital functions of the body. Corrects maladjustment. Along the way, it improves brain activity, concentration and saturates tissues with trace elements and vitamins. There are also contraindications: individual intolerance, infections, CKD.
Ecdisten - has a tonic effect, promotes the synthesis of protein molecules, that is, building up muscle mass. Available in tablets, it eliminates asthenia and asthenodepression. Unlike synthetic steroids, it does not affect the adrenal cortex. Contraindicated in hypertension and hyperkinesia.

Power training

Maral root is a natural anabolic with the effect of phytosteroids due to the content of ecdysones in the composition. The properties of these compounds are used in strength training. Plant hormones significantly increase protein synthesis, building muscles, strengthening the myocardium, liver, kidneys. In turn, this leads to an increase in the athlete's endurance. In addition, the large head expands the vascular lumen, which improves blood flow, stimulates the formation of capillaries and new collaterals.

As a result, the work of the heart and blood vessels is facilitated, the heart rate decreases, which makes it possible to increase physical activity. Leuzea removes metabolites after exercise, reduces rehabilitation time, and provokes moderate testosterone production. It is used in the form of tinctures, powder, tablets: Ekdisten, Ratibol, maral root extract, leuzea powder. The difference in preparations is shown in the table.

Name	Composition, properties, features
Leuzea powder	Innovation based on young shoots of the adaptogen raponticum: grows in subalpine meadows, high in the mountains (up to 3000 meters above sea level). The plant is harvested in the spring in the phase of its maximum phytoactivity. In 1 kg up to 20,000 effective doses, up to 50,000 - prophylactic, up to 5,000 - sports. The complex of herbs and roots contains about 70 ecdysteroids, including 0.5% ecdysterone, up to 20 vitamins, 45 minerals, over 30% protein and up to 20% essential amino acids.
Maral root	Extraction from the aerial parts of the safflower-shaped head. The name “maral root” is based on a legend according to which maral deer are treated with this plant. For humans, the root is not edible and is not digested in the intestines. And the harvesting of the roots itself is problematic, since when digging up, the "kids" - lateral shoots are destroyed. Collect raw materials in the fall. And this is its main difference from other drugs. Dietary supplements on this basis are the most effective by definition, and it is they that are sold in our pharmacies.
Ecdisten or ecdysterone. Analogs: Leveton, Adapton, Russ-Olympic, Biostimul, Triboxin	This is the processed root of the plant. In Russia, 96% of its purification was achieved, in the USA no more than 80% is allowed. Thanks to processing, the powder from the root is well absorbed. The drug includes hydroxyecdysone-20, inokosteterone, ecdysone, Mg, Zn, B6. Differs in anabolic source and composition. The efficacy is moderate, since there is 20 times less ecdysterone in the roots than in the leaves.
Leuzea tincture	The tincture is prepared from the roots, since only they are suitable for infusion with alcohol. All nutrients remain unchanged. They do not dissolve in water, so they pass the oral cavity and stomach active. Active compounds are absorbed in the intestine.

There is a general remark: leaf preparations are practically waste-free and harmless. Dietary supplements from the roots are always treated with antibiotics to prevent the risk of decay during storage, so they should be used with caution.

Women's sports

The large head is used in cosmetics, which attracts women. But also in women's sports, Leuzea brings many benefits:

Eliminates soreness of PMS, facilitates the course of menstruation.
It relieves inflammation in the genitourinary sphere.
Normalizes the cycle.
Stimulates the growth of muscle mass, eliminating testosterone dependence, which is extremely important for women.
Stimulates libido.
Relieves increased irritability.
Improves blood counts.
Increases endurance.
Normalizes sleep.
Shortens the recovery period after competition and strenuous training.

Leuzea powder dosage recommendations for women:

Since powder is a measured substance, some rules should be followed when using it:

Always refer to the drawing in the instructions, if necessary. The sports dose is prescribed by the trainer individually from 100 mg and is approximately equal to the beans. In strength sports, the dose can reach 500 mg - this is a third of a teaspoon.
Maral root should not be taken at night: it is a natural stimulant of activity, which means there will be no sleep for at least 4 hours. In case of an overdose, all 12.
The powder is taken sublingual (under the tongue), with a small dose of 100 mg, which is absorbed in a few minutes.

Contraindications to taking Leuzea

There are not many of them, but they are:

Disturbances in the processes of inhibition and excitation in the central nervous system.
Pregnancy and lactation.
Age under 18.
Epilepsy.
Schizophrenia.
Insomnia.
Stomach ulcer.
Diabetes.
High blood pressure.

Application

The natural adaptogen is recommended to be taken even with normal chronic fatigue to speed up the recovery process. The rules for the use of different dosage forms are presented in the table.

The form	Method of use
Tincture	Grind the root, pour a glass of alcohol and stand in a dark place for three weeks. Strain and take a tablespoon three times daily before meals. Last appointment 4 hours before bedtime. The bottom line is to stimulate immunity in the offseason and epidemics.
Infusion	The leaves of the plant are poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for an hour. Drink as in the first case, most often taken with a hangover and alcohol intoxication.
Decoction	Boil the root of the bighead for 20 minutes and leave for half an hour. Drink three times a day. The effect is the mildest, it helps with overtime work, in the session.
Pharmacy liquid extract	Tones up mental activity.
Tablets	A source of vitamins. Accepted from 12 years old, all year round. The course is 30 days.
Oil	Improves vision, relieves intoxication, calms nerves, normalizes blood pressure, improves sleep, improves mood, relieves fatigue. Sugar is dripped into any liquid, on a slice of bread, in a dosage according to the Instructions.
Powder	Used for rehabilitation after injuries and wounds. It is taken sublingually or by dissolving 0.5 g in tea (for prevention - 0.25 g).
Honey	It has a special taste, healing properties: tones up, relieves stress, stimulates appetite, improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.