• Stimulates central nervous system
  • Increases oxidative-restorative processes
  • Strong antitoxic action
  • Folk Medicine uses:
  • Distribution:  Prymorye and Northern China
  • Appearance:  Tree like plant growing to 18 feet tall with large thorns and very large leaves.  
Blooms in 5th year.  Small white flowers.  Fruit is spherical.
  • Gathering Period:  Spring and late Fall
  • Processing: Roots are air dried at low temperature
  • Chemical Composition:  Sapponins A,B, C, Aralosides A,B & C
  • Plant Parts Used: Roots

Aralia has a bitter taste but is a powerful adaptogen.
Aralia mandshurica
Eleutherococcus
  • Common Name: Eleuthero, Ginseng, “King of Adaptogens”
  • Distribution:  Primorye, Korea, Japan and China. Native to the Prymoria region of Russia.
  • Appearance:  Thorny bush with many stems.  Height 5 – 7 feet.
  • Gathering:  July – September
  • Chemical Composition:  Glycosides, Oleanoloisides Ho, H1,H2, Eleutherosides B, B1,D, E and A
  • Plant Part Used: Leaves, stems and roots of the plant as each part contains biologically active
    substances (BAS)
  • Tonic – Increased work ability
  • Stimulated mental work ability
  • Increases resistance to heat and cold
  • Resistance to infections
  • Resistance to tumor formation
  • Improves eyesight – color and clarity
  • Improves clarity of hearing
  • Mild hormonal activity
  • Common Name: Chinese Licorice, Licorice
  • Appearance: Perennial herbaceous plant with powerful root system.   Horizontal sprouts
  • Gathering Period:  All year
  • Chemical Composition:  Liqueraside, glycyrrhizinic acid, glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, flavonol
  • Plant Part Used:  Roots, rhizomes
Glycyrrhiza uralensis
  • Adrenocorticotrophic activity
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Expectorant
  • Anti-allergenic
  • Estrogenic
  • Anti-cancer action
  • Folk Medicine Uses:
Rhaponticum carthamoides
  • Distribution:  Southern Siberia, Eastern Kazakhstan, Altai Mountains and Western Sayani
  • Appearance:  Perennial herbaceous plant 18-36” tall.  Rhizome is horizontal. Roots are hard.  
    Flowers are violet in color
  • Gathering:  August & September
  • Process:  Air dried at low temperatures,  rhizomes are cut transversely into small pieces
  • Plant Parts Used: Root
  • Tonic and stimulant for mental activity
  • Tonic and stimulant for physical activity
  • Combats physical fatigue
  • Combats impotence
  • Improves the brain’s blood supply
  • Lowers cholesterol in animal studies
  • Normalizes some oxidative processes
  • Increases work performance
Rhodiola rosea

  • Common Name: Rhodiola, Golden Root
  • Distribution:  Russian Far East, Altai, Ural and Irkutsk.
  • Appearance:  Perennial herbaceous plant reaching 50 cm in height.
  • Gathering Period:  August & September.
  • Chemical Composition:  Glycosides, salidroside, thyrasol.
  • Process:  Roots and rhizomes are cut and air dried.  Alcohol soluble.
  • Plant Parts Used:  Root, rhizomes
  • Increases endurance for static and dynamic work loads
  • Anti-metastatic
  • Combats impotence
  • Improves cardiac activity
  • Hypotonia
  • Effective in treatment of neurosis (Tomsk Medical University)
Rosa majalis
  • Common Name: Cinnamon Rose, Double Cinnamon Rose
  • Distribution:  Primorye, Kamchatka, Sakhalin, Kuril Islands, Korea & Japan
  • Appearance:  Bushes with thorns up to 6 ft. Tall.  Fruit is a compel, berry-like & succulent
  • Gathering Period:  September & October
  • Chemical Composition:  High in natural vitamin content.  Ascorbic acid, carotene,
    tocopherols, linoleic, linolenic and oleic acids.
  • Preparation:  Air dried and extracted with water
  • Plant Parts Used: Fruit
  • Mild natural steroid benefits
  • Adrenocorticotrophic activity
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Expectorant
  • Anti-allergenic
  • Estrogenic
  • Anti-cancer action
  • Folk Medicine Uses:
Schizandra chinensis
  • Common Name: Schisandra, Chinese Magnolia Vine
  • Distribution:  Prumorye, Southern Khabarovsk region, Amurian district, Sakhalin Island,
    Northern China and Japan.
  • Appearance:  Perennial woody plant with string branches.  Yellow flowers bloom in late May.  
    Fruit ripens in August & September.
  • Gathering Period:  September & October.
  • Chemical Composition:  Ether oils, aldehydes and ketones.  Schizandrin, -schizandrin &
    schizandrol.
  • Plants Parts Used: Seeds, fruit
  • Anti-atherosclerotic activity
  • Improves eyesight
  • Combats effects of physical and mental over exertion
  • Combats sleeplessness
  • Improves sexual activity
  • Neurasthenia
  • Widely used in Japan, China and Russia to combat fatigue
Crataequs oxycantha
  • Common Name: Hawthorn, Maybush, Whitethorn, English Hawthorn
  • Distribution: North America, North Africa, Central Europe and Western Asia, also seen in the
    Himalayas, Central and Southern France and the UK.
  • Appearance: A spiny bush or small tree with strong-smelling white flowers and bright red spherical
    fruit containing 1 to 3 nuts.
  • Chemical Composition: Contains flavonoids, oligomeric procyanidins, caffeic and chlorogenic
acid and triterpenes.
  • Plant Part Used: Flowers, dried leaves, fruits (Berries)

Crataequs oxycantha is a natural plant antioxidant.
  • Decreases cholesterol levels  
blood vessels  
  • Prevents congestive heart failure by improving the
    contractions of the cardiac muscles, very similar to the
    prescription medication Digitalis
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Promotes a regular cardiac rate and rhythm  
  • lmproves general circulation
Inonotus obliquus
  • Common Name: Chaga, Clinker
  • Distribution: Russia, Japan, China, Korea, Eastern and Northern Europe, northern areas
of the United States, Alaska, in the North Carolina mountains and in Canada.
  • Appearance: A fungus that prefers living on the Birch tree as a parasite. The sterile conk is
    irregularly formed and has the appearance of burnt charcoal. It is not the fruiting body of the
    fungus, but a sclerotia or mass of mycelium, mostly black because of the presence of
    massive amounts of melanin. The fertile fruiting body can be found very rarely as a
    resupinate fungus on or near the clinker, usually appearing after the host tree is dead.
  • Chemical Composition: Contains over 200 phytonutrients, B complex vitamins, various
    minerals, fiber and protein.
  • Plant Part Used: Mushroom body

Inonotus obliquus is a nontoxic type of mushroom (fungi).
Used to treat blood disorders, bronchitis, liver damage,
hypertension, tumors and other antibacterial or antiviral. Used for
centuries as a cancer cure, diabetes, stomach infection
  • Stimulate the central nervous and neurohumoral systems,
    improve metabolism including activation of metabolism in
    cerebral tissue, regulate the activity of cardiovascular and
    respiratory systems, stimulate the homogeny (increase the
    level of leukocytes), act as an over-all strengthening means,
    increase the resistibility of the body to the infectious
    diseases, possess antipyretic properties during internal and
    local application, strengthen the cytostatic activity of anti-
    tumorigenic preparations, inhibit the increase of tumors,
    causing their gradual regression and slow down the
    development of metastases, i.e. possess cytostatic action
  • Helps to restore the natural resistance processes of the
    organism and increases its protecting mechanisms directed
    towards the fight with malignant tumors
  • Normalize the activity of the gastro-inltestinal tract and
    intestinal micro flora
  • Healthy life energy balance ("Chi'), preserve youth, promote
    longevity, and boost the body's immune system to fight viral,
    bacterial, fungal and parasitic maladies
Sorbus aucuparia
  • Common Name: Mountain Ash, rowan
  • Distribution:  Native to most of Europe and parts of Asia, and northern Africa. The range extends
    from Madeira and Iceland to Russia and northern China. It is not native to Japan.
  • Appearance: A deciduous tree or shrub in the rose family with slender trunk with smooth bark and a
    loose and roundish crown. Its leaves are pinnate in pairs of leaflets on a central vein with a terminal
    leaflet. It blossoms from May to June in dense corymbs of small yellowish white flowers and  
    develops small red pomes as fruit that ripen from August to October and are eaten by many bird
    species.
  • Chemical Composition: the fruit contains carotenoids, citric acid, malic acid, parasorbic acid,        
    pectin, provitamin A, sorbitol, tannin, and vitamin C. The seeds contain glycoside.
  • Plant Part Used: Fruit, flowers, and leaves
  • Reduce the lipids in the liver and cholesterol in blood
  • Possess cholagogue and diuretic properties influencing
    urolithiasis in the kidneys and urinary tract, and also
    possess anti-inflammatory, haemostatic, aid capillary-tonic
    activity
  • Vitamin, astringent, easy laxative, sudorifico action
  • Helps to lower blood pressure, raise coagulability of blood,
    and is used as an agent for lowering the fat content in the
    liver and cholesterol in blood
  • Treatment of headaches
Viburnum sargentii
  • Common Name: Cramp bark, High Bush or European Cranberry
  • Distribution: Native to north eastern Asia
  • Appearance: A flowering plant growing to 10 ft tall and broad. A substantial deciduous shrub
    with 3-lobed, maple-like leaves, often turning red in autumn. Flat white flower heads in early
    summer, are followed in autumn by globose red berries.
  • Chemical Composition: Contains saponins, flavonoids, bioflavonoids, anthroquinones,
    coumarins
  • Plant part used: Fruit

Viburnum sargentii is a natural plant antioxidant.
  • High amount of vitamin and complex organic acid
  • Stress-protective benefits
  • Reduces the toxicity of alcohol
  • Recommended as a food supplement for stress management,
    chronic fatigue syndrome and for prophylaxis of dysfunctions
    under conditions of rapidly changing environmental, climatic
and social conditions
  • Aids in preventing seasonal diseases such as colds, influenza
  • Slows the degenerative processes of aging
BENEFITS OF
SPECIFIC ADAPTOGENS
Adaptogens and Natural Plant Antioxidants in Lera®
Additional herbs classified  as Adaptogens:
Ashwagandha  (Withania Somnifera)
  • Distribution: Native to the dry regions of India, northern Africa, and the Middle East, and
    today is also grown in more mild climates, including the United States.
  • Appearance: Plump shrub with oval leaves and yellow flowers. It bears red fruit about the
    size of a raisin.
  • Chemical Composition: Chemical constituents for the roots, fruits, seeds, and stem
    include withanone; withaferin A; withanolides A, D, an G; and sitoindosides IX, X, VII, VIII.
  • Plant Parts Used: Root and berry. Root extract is the preferred form of ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha is used to help alleviate the symptoms of stress, fatigue, lack of energy and
difficulty concentrating.
•  Protects the immune system
•  Helps combat the effects of stress
•  Improves learning, memory, and reaction time
•  Reduces anxiety and depression without causing drowsiness
•  Anti-anxiety effect is synergistic with alcohol
•  Helps reduce brain-cell degeneration
•  Stabilizes blood sugar
•  Helps lower cholesterol
•  Offers anti-inflammatory benefits
•  Contains anti-malarial properties
•  Enhances sexual potency for both men and women
•  Provides neuroprotection
•  Anti-cancer effects
Cordyceps sinensis
Cordyceps is used to:

•  Promote anti-aging
•  Lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and raise good (HDL) Cholesterol levels
•  As a general wellbeing tonic
•  Increase athletic performance
•  Increase strength and stamina
•  Increase blood circulation
•  Protect the liver and kidneys
•  Improve liver function in people with hepatitis B
•  Enhance the working of the immune system
•  Treat respiratory problems
•  Dilate the lung’s airways providing increased oxygen to the blood
•  Enhance energy levels
•  Treat asthma, bronchitis and cough
•  Increase the body’s natural killer cells
•  Regulate blood pressure
•  Help build lean muscle
•  As a powerful antioxidant
•  Help promote deeper sleep
•  Sedative action
•  Treat fatigue and weakness
•  As an aphrodisiac
•  Lower cholesterol                                                                 
Tribulus terristrus
  • Common Name: Tribulus, puncture vine
  • Distribution: an annual plant in the Caltrop Family (Zygophyllaceae) widely distributed
    around the world, that is adapted to grow in dry climate locations in which few other plants
    can survive. Native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern
    Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and Australia.
  • Appearance: A fruit-producing Mediterranean plant that's covered with spines. Stems
    radiate from the crown to over 3 ft , often branching. They are usually prostrate, forming
    flat patches. Lemon yellow flowers  bloom from April through October In Southern
    California. A week after each flower blooms, it is followed by a fruit that easily falls apart
    into five nutlets or burs.The nutlets are hard and bear two to four sharp spines.
  • Chemical Composition: Contains saponins, lignin amides, flavonoids, alkaloids,
    glycosides.
  • Parts Used: Fruit, leaf and root
Tribulus terristrus is used to:
  • propel urinary stones
  • lessen symptoms of angina

As a tonic Tribulus terristrus is used to:
  • enhance athletic performance
  • treat certain sexual problems and infertility
Ajuga turkistanica
  • Common Name: Ajuga, bugleweed, ground pine, carpet bugle, bugle
  • Distribution: Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, but also two species in southeastern Australia.
  • Appearance: Perinneal plant, six to nine inches tall and as wide, with opposite leaves. Produces
    profuse blue flower spikes about six inches tall in spring with sporadic blooms throughout summer
    into fall. It is a creeping herbaceous evergreen ground cover that grows as a series of ground-
    hugging rosettes with spatula shaped leaves.
  • Chemical Composition: Contains phytoecdysteroids, which include alpha-ecdysone, 2-   
    desoxyecdysterone, ecdysterone, sileneoside A, and turkesterone
  • Plant Parts Used: Leaves and shoots
Ajuga turkistanica is used as treatment of:
  • heart disease
  • muscle aches
  • stomach aches
  • staunching blood flow
  • coughs
Asphaltum bitumen
  • Common Names: Mumijo, shilajit, mumio, mineral pitch, mineral wax, black asphaltum
  • Distribution: Found predominately in Himalayan and Tibetian mountains, Caucasus
mountains, Altai Mountains, and mountains of Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan
  • Appearance: Mumijo is a solid mass of a thick, sticky, tar-like substance with a colour ranging
    from white to dark brown or black, with a shiny surface and bitter taste. It originates from plant
    and animal sources, which seeps over long periods of time through certain rocks, under the
    influence of spring water, emerging as a resin type substance.
  • Chemical Composition: There are about 28 chemical elements, 30 macro and micro-nutrients,
    as well as 10 different metal oxides, 6 amino acids, including zoomelanoidion, a number of
    vitamins, essential oils, resins and retinoid agents in Mumiyo. Also there is bee venom, humic
    substances and other matter, which is not investigated yet. In addition, the inorganic part
    comprises about 30 rare trace elements: rubidium, cesium, barium, strontium, tin, chromium,
    antimony.
  • Plant Parts Used: Pitch

Mumijo is neither a plant nor an animal substance, but is a mineral pitch that exudes from the rocks.
For years and years, humus and organic plant material are compressed within the rocks of the
mountains. And during summer, a gluey extract oozes out of these rocks which is Mumijo or Shilajit.
It is popular for treating diabetes, urinary tract diseases and sexual dysfunctions. It has great
rejuvenative powers able to increase a person’s longevity
  • maintains physical and mental  
    efficiency
  • immuno-stimulating
  • painkiller
  • increases mineral metabolism and    
    accelerates the healing of bone   
    fractures and wounds
  • moderate anti-tumor activity              
    restores the deficiency of micro and  
    macro- elements in the tissues
  • stimulates skin regeneration processes
  • Phytoecdysteroids are anti-inflammatory and can
    decrease cellular stress
  • Ajuga turkestanica extract activates carbohydrate
    metabolism and protein synthesis stimulating an
    increase in muscle mass
Astragalus membranaceus
  • Distribution: Native to the northern provinces of China and cultivated in China, Korea, and
    Japan.
  • Appearance: Astragalus roots are sold as long pieces, which have a tough, fibrous skin with
a lighter interior. The untreated root has a sweet, licorice-like taste.
  • Chemical Composition: Contains the saponin cycloastragenol. Constituents of the roots
    (Radix Astragali) include polysaccharides, triterpenoids (astragalosides), as well as
    isoflavones (including kumatakenin, calycosin and formononetin) along with their glycosides
    and malonates.
  • Parts Used: Root, root extract

Astragalus exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, especially beneficial for the kidneys and has been
researched for its cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and longevity effects.

Astragalus supplementation has been shown to reduce the metabolic and physical complications
of aging, however, there are currently no studies that show an actual increase in lifespan.

                                                      Used to treat:
• common cold
• upper respiratory infections
• allergies
• fibromyalgia
• anemia
• HIV/AIDS
• strengthen and regulate the immune system
• chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• kidney disease
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
Ocimum sanctum
  • Common names: Holy basil, tulasi (sometimes spelled thulasi) or tulsi Plant is
revered as an elixir of life.
  • Distribution: Native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant
throughout the Southeast Asian tropics.
  • Appearance: An erect, many-branched sub-shrub, 12–24" tall with hairy stems. Strongly
    scented leaves, either green or purple, are simple with a slightly toothed margin. The purplish
    flowers are placed in close whorls on elongated stems.
  • Chemical Composition: Some of the active chemical constituents of tulsi are: oleanolic acid,
    ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, β-caryophyllene (about 8%).Tulsi
    essential oil has been found to consist mostly of eugenol (~70%) β-elemene (~11.0%), β-
    caryophyllene (~8%) and germacrene (~2%), with the balance being made up of various trace
    compounds, (mostly terpenes).
  • Parts Used: Leaves, stems, and seeds

Used to combat stress and enhance mental clarity and memory. Used long-term, it can reduce the
risk of age-related mental disorders.

A powerful antioxidant with demonstrated antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Protect against infection and treat wounds
• Lower blood sugar
• Lower cholesterol
• Ease inflammation and joint pain
• Increase stomach’s defense
Additional herbs classified  as "near Adaptogens":


cheesewood
  • Distribution: Native to the Indian subcontinent, China, Southeast Asis, Australia.
  • Appearance: An evergreen tropical tree growing from 50 to 80 feet high, has a furrowed trunk,  
    oblong stalked leaves up to 6 inches long and 4 inches wide, dispersed in four to six whorls round  
    the stem, their upper side glossy, under side white. Its fragrant flowers bloom in October.
  • Chemical Composition: Its bark contains three alkaloids, Ditamine, Echitamine or Ditaine, and
    Echitenines, and several fatty and resinous substances- the second is the strongest base and
    resembles ammonia in chemical characters.
  • Plant Part Used: Bark, seeds, milky exudates, leaves

Used in homoeopathy for its tonic bitter and astringent properties; useful to purify blood and relieve
respiratory disorders. It is a cytotoxic herb which is used to stop cancerous growths.

















  • The paste made from the bark of the tree if applied on wounds can be beneficial.
  • The bark powder is used to relieve pain in the abdomen and lumps
  • The twigs of the tree are used as a toothbrush because of its bactericidal properties.
  • The Alstonia scholaris is used to improve the appetites of new mothers.
  • The plant increases lactation in new mothers.
  • Bark of the tree mixed with Vacha and Ginger can help avoid fever post delivery of a child.
  • The paste of the bark of the evergreen tree is applied to relieve chronic arthritis.
  • Helpful in relieving dyspnea.
  • The powder of the flower is used in case of headaches.
  • The roasted leaves of the tree is made into a poultice and used as a stimulant on ulcers.
  • This herb is also prescribed for relieving leprosy.
  • Relief from chronic Paludism and enlarged spleen.
  • The juice of the bark is used to relieve sores, tooth pains, ulcers and rheumatism.
  • The fruits of the tree relieve insanity as well as epilepsy.
Alstonia scholaris
Used to relieve intermittent and remittent fevers. An tree
  • Bowel complaints:  Relieves bowel dysfunctions.
  • Catarrhal Dyspepsia: The powdered bark is
    beneficial to relieve this ailment. It helps in relieving
    indigestion and balances the mucous content in the
    body.
  • Diarrhea and dysentery: The plant is effective in
    cases of chronic dysentery and diarrhea.
  • Skin disorders: the extract from the tree is helpful in
    relieving acne, ringworm and eczema.
  • Distribution: It is found in North Africa, the Mediterranean region, the Himalayas, North India, and in  
    Arabian countries.
  • Appearance: A spring-blooming, low-water ornamental. It produces mats of grey-green, ferny foliage
    and single daisy-like white flowers.
  • Gathering:
  • Chemical Composition: Some Studies suggested that Akarkara root contains alkaloid PELLITORIN
    (PYRETHRIN) and ALKYL AMIDES. ALKYL AMIDE in the Akarkara roots is made of TYRAMINE
    amides and ISOBUTYLAMIDES. ALKYL AMIDES have libido stimulant and neuroprotective
    properties.  The aerial parts of Akarkara plant contain ANACYCLIN. Other active constituents are
    INULIN, SESAMIN and HYDROCAROLIN.
  • Plant Part Used: Root
Anacyclus pyrethrum
  • Loss of Libido
  • Impotency & Erectile dysfunction
  • Toothache
  • Pyorrhea
  • Common Cold
  • Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)
    & Delayed Speech Development
  • Epilepsy & Seizures
Stomatitis
Grippe
Cold
Nocturnal enuresis
Lung disease
Ulcers
Cancer
Lung disease
Ulcers
Cancer   
From Asia (notably Nepal, China, Japan, Bhutan, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand)
  • Appearance: Elongated fruit body that grows two to four inches long and only about a half
inch wide. It is generally club shaped,but may be cylindrical, branched, or of complex shape
with a top that is wider than the base. It is orange in color and bland in taste
  • Chemical Composition: Polysaccharide components and cordycepin