Composition
One capsule contains 150 mg of Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) root extract 20:1 (1.5 mg of eleutherosides).

Excipients
Emulsifiers sunflower seed oil and non hydrogenated vegetable fat, glazing material yellow beeswax, sunflower lecithin.
Capsule shell contains gelatine, anti-caking agent glycerol, colorants red iron oxide paste and black iron oxide paste.

Nutritional and energy value
Nutritional value: one capsule (0.694 g) contains 0.1135 g of proteins; 0.0609 g of carbohydrates (polyols); 0.2667 g of fat, of which 0.0442 g of saturated fatty acids, 0.045 g of monounsaturated fatty acids, 0.1744 of polyunsaturated fatty acids; energy value: 12.4 kJ (3 kcal).

Properties
It is a food supplement of general restorative effect, recommended to be used in cases of:
• Constant fatigue, weakness, exhaustion;
• Decreased physical and mental capacities, decreased ability to concentrate;
• Frequent stress;
• The need to strengthen the immunity;
• Intensive sports training;
• The need to regain strength (especially after illnesses);
• The need to increase sexual energy;
• Low blood pressure.

Usage
It is recommended for adults to take 1 capsule a day with meals but not later than 3 – 4 hours before sleep. Do not exceed the recommended daily dosage. Food supplement should not be used as food substitute.
It is forbidden to take food supplement Tonussan if:

• Your blood pressure is very high;
• You have acute heart rhythm disorder;
  You have acute contagious diseases;
• You have late stage of any chronic disease;
• You use alcoholic beverages;
• You are pregnant or lactating.

Storage
Keep away from children.
Store in temperatures not exceeding 25°C, in a dark, dry place.

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Eleutherococcus senticosus is a thorny shrub from Eastern and Northern China. In China Eleutherococcus root has been used for over 2000 years. In the Western countries Eleutherococcus became popular only in the 20th century. Traditionally the herb was supposed to have good vital energy and was used to relieve pain in kidneys and in the small of the back, for deficiency of the male principle in kidneys and spleen, in order to increase the appetite, and to increase general resistance to illnesses, negative physical factors, and stress. Therefore it was compared with ginseng. Sometimes Eleutherococcus is called Siberian ginseng in scientific literature.

Effect of active substances
Eleutherococcus root contains eleutherosides, phenols, polysaccharides, lignans, coumarins, and other biologically active substances (29 substances in all). These biologically active substances determine the effect of Eleutherococcus that is adaptogenic, restorative, that strengthens the immunity and stimulates sexual activity.

Adaptogenic (stress-decreasing) and restorative effect
Adaptogens may be defined as substances that have restorative and toning effect and help to balance the organism’s functions and to overcome stress. Adaptogens influence the endocrine system, especially hypothalamus, hypophysis, and adrenals. These glands release stress hormones in stressful situations, for example, adrenal glands release corticosteroids and adrenalin that through the nervous system prepare the organism to react to critical situations. When these hormones are used up, the organism starts to become exhausted. With the help of adaptogens stress hormones are released more economically and more effectively, and balance is kept between the stress hormones that regulate the organism’s reaction to stress and between the organism’s systems and functions, therefore the organism does not become exhausted so fast and becomes more resistant to various negative factors.
There are eleutherosides – substances that have restorative and adaptogenic effect – in Eleutherococcus root and its extracts, therefore products with Eleutherococcus have the following properties:
• They stimulate the central nervous system in cases of physical and mental fatigue;
• They increase efficiency;
• They decrease fatigue and sleepiness;
• They improve the general well-being;
• They increase the organism’s resistance to various negative physical, chemical, and biological factors (overheat, overload, etc.).
Substances that are present in Eleutherococcus stimulate the assimilation of nutritional materials (especially glucose) in tissue cells and its production from fatty acids, therefore, after having taken some extract of Eleutherococcus, other sources of the organism’s energy are mobilized, more oxygen reaches muscles and brain; it becomes possible to work for a longer time and to restore lost capabilities faster. So Eleutherococcus preparations are suitable for sportsmen who train intensively, and people who have long-term intensive mental tasks, for example, students studying for exams. Eleutherococcus increases the renewal of mental strength during rest and protects from physical and emotional stress.
Besides, Eleutherococcus tones the cardiovascular system, therefore the function of the heart improves, the tone of the blood-vessels increases, and blood pressure may rise.

Effect of strengthening the immunity
Eleutherococcus stimulates the production of immune cells – T-lymphocytes, NK, and thus activates the process of phagocytosis. T-lymphocytes and NK-cells are blood cells that enter tissues and phagocyte (“consume” – destroy) contaminated cells, foreign bodies, and bacteria; they are important for immunity regulation. Because of the above-mentioned effect it is recommended to use Eleutherococcus extract for strengthening of immunity after various contagious diseases and for protection against the negative effect of radiation. In order for the effect of strengthening the immunity to manifest itself, Eleutherococcus extract should be used for not less than 4 weeks.

Effect on sexual function
Eleutherococcus has gonadotrophic effect that stimulates hypophysis to release gonadotrophic hormones, and thus it stimulates the activity of other gonads and the production of sex steroids in adrenal cortex. It was noticed in the old times, and now research has confirmed that Eleutherococcus increases sexual energy and has positive effect on erection, production of semen, and fertility.

Scientific research, confirming effectiveness

Bohn and his colleagues performed a research in Heidelberg, West Germany, with 36 people and proved that Eleutherococcus extract improved the functions of the immune system. Immunity parameters in 18 subjects who used Eleutherococcus extract for 4 weeks and in 18 subjects of the placebo group who did not use the above-mentioned extract were evaluated. The amount of various immune cells increased from 22% (B-lymphocytes) to 78% (T-lymphocytes) in all subjects who used Eleutherococcus when compared with the placebo group. Based on this research, Eleutherococcus is now used to strengthen the condition of patients with cancer and treated with chemotherapy, especially in Germany. Research has shown that Eleutherococcus substantially decreases secondary effect of radiation and chemotherapy (e.g., nausea, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and lack of appetite) in patients. Another research with patients who had cancer revealed positive effect of Eleutherococcus on patients’ convalescence, improvement of their condition, increase of weight and immune cells.
• In order to assess the adaptogenic effect of Eleutherococcus, much research on people was performed in Russia in the fifties and sixties. After 35 clinical trials with 2100 healthy people aged 19-72 it was established that the use of Eleutherococcus improved their physical and mental capacities under stress.
• In one trial that lasted for eight days, the effect of Eleutherococcus extract on work capacity and fatigue of six athletes was researched. Oxygen use, frequency of heart contractions, and the general time of work and fatigue were measured. Having evaluated all parameters, it was determined that common capacity increased by 23.3% in the group that used Eleutherococcus extract, and by 7.5% in the group that did not use the extract
• 1500 workers took part in a trial performed in Russia. It was determined that workers who used Eleutherococcus preparations every day missed a lot less work days because of caught colds, tonsillitis, bronchitis and sinusitis infections than workers who did not take Eleutherococcus preparations.
• In a comparative study with 24 people who used Eleutherococcus for 3 months, Ginkgo biloba for 3 months or placebo the ability to concentrate, selective memory, and general well-being of subjects were evaluated. A big difference with regard to improvement of selective memory was determined in the group that used Eleutherococcus and the placebo group. Significant results among subjects who used Ginkgo biloba or placebo were received only the group of people aged 48 and older. No group experienced changes in the ability to concentrate. But a big effect of Eleutherococcus on general well-being and activity was identified.

Tonussan is a food supplement for strengthening the organism and for recovery of capabilities!

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Literature:

1. Radix Eleutherococci. WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants.
2. Eleuthero root. G Expanded Commission E Monographs. Copyright 2000, American Botanical Council.
3. Topliss JG, Clark AM, et al. Natural and Synthetic Substances Related to Human Health (IUPAC Technical Report). Pure Appl. Chem. 2002, Vol. 74, No. 10, pp. 1957–1985.
4. Eleuthrococci radix. ESCOP Monographs. Second Edition 2004.
5. Takeschi D, Sansei N and Yoshihisa N. Constituents and pharmacological effects of Eucomnia and Siberian ginseng. Acta Pharmacologica Sinensis 2001; 22 (12).
6. Barenboim GM. Eleutherococcus: Application and the Mechanism of Action. Eleutherococcus and Adaptogens: Generalizations and Hypotheses. Part V.
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8. Bohn B, Nebe CT, Birr C. Flow-cytometric studies with Eleutherococcus senticosus extract as an immunomodulatory agent. Arzneimittelforschung. 1987; 37; 1193-1196.
9. Mosby’s Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements, 3 ed., Linda Skidmore-Roth, 2006, p. 935-939.
10. Mosby’s Handbook of Herbs and Supplements and their Therapeutic Uses, Steven Bratman, Andrea M. Girman, 2003, p. 534-537.
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12. Asano K, Takahashi T, Miyashita M, Matsuzaka A, Muramatsu S, Kuboyama M, Kugo H, Imai J. Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract on human physical working capacity. Planta Med. 1986; (3):175-7.