Russian versus Chinese: Adaptogenic Herbs and Their Origins

When researching adaptogens, you may often come across articles and products speaking to either Russian or Chinese adaptogenic herbs, focusing on the country of origin as a selling point. This approach to marketing has created some confusion with consumers and distributors alike wondering just what the different is between Russian and Chinese adaptogenic herbs.

Although they have been used in China for centuries, most studies on adaptogens have been done in Russia, formerly the Soviet Union, using herbs from this country rather than Chinese adaptogenic herbs. What this fact means is that the amounts for particular substances as well as combinations of herbs have been determined for Russian adaptogenic herbs, while those for Chinese adaptogenic herbs have not been studied as intensely. The origin of the plants may seem trivial, but in fact it can make a large difference. Just as grapes grown in different regions result in vastly different wines, Russian and Chinese adaptogenic herbs are quite different. For this reason, a certain amount of Russian eleuthero may have significantly different effects than the same amount of Chinese eleuthero.

Not only have studies been done into the effective dosages of Russian adaptogenic herbs, but also the biological activity. Again, much research has gone into discovering exactly how much of each adaptogenic herb to use, but these studies have used Russian rather than Chinese adaptogenic herbs. Although they may be the same species, Chinese adaptogenic herbs likely have different levels of biological activity, meaning the same formula could result in extremely different results.

For more information on the difference between Russian and Chinese adaptogenic herbs, as well as information on the benefits of including an adaptogen product in your line, call or e-mail Vitarich Laboratories today.

More information on Russian and and Chinese adaptogenic herbs can be found in the following sources:

Brekhman, I.I. and O.I. Kirillov.  “The Protective Action of Eleutherococcus during Stress.”  In:  Eleutherococcus and Other Adaptogens from Far East Plants.  Vladivostok:  Siberian Department of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 1966. 9.

Lucas, Richard.  Eleuthero – Health Herb of Russia. Spokane:  R & M Books, 1973.

Shornikov, A.P. and S.V. Sokolov.  “The Experience of Using Eleutherococcus Under the Conditions of the Tumen North.” In:  New Data on Eleutherococcus and Other Adaptogens: Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium on Eleutherococcus (Hamburg, 1980).  Vladivostok:  Far East Scientific Center of the Academy of Science of the USSR, 1981, 95.