General Description
Eleuthero, or Siberian ginseng, is a shrub that grows about 5 to
8 feet tall. It is also known as touch-me-not and devil's shrub.
Eleuthero belongs to the Araliaceae family and is a distant relative
of Asian ginseng. It has erect, spiny shoots covered with gray or
brown bark. The leaves are long, petioled, and grow in a compound
palmate formation. This shrub is native to the taiga region of the
Far East, including such countries as Russia, China, Korea and Japan.
Eleuthero is commonly used in place of Asian ginseng because it
displays some similar properties and is more prevalent than its
distant cousin. The root and rhizomes are used.
Health applications
- Immune function
- Fatigue
- Athletic performance
History and traditional use
The medicinal use of eleuthero, known as ci wu jia in Chinese, dates
back more than 2,000 years. Traditionally, it was most often used
by the Chinese to provide vitality and to prevent colds and respiratory
infections. More recently, Russian athletes have been known to take
eleuthero in order to enhance their athletic performance.
Chemical constituents
Eleuthero contains eleutherosides A-G, and complex polysaccharides.
The most active eleutherosides are B and E.1
The ginsenosides that are recognized in Asian ginseng are not
present in eleuthero.
Immune function
Russian studies between 1955 and 1964 determined that eleutherococcus
was an effective adaptogen.2
More recent studies indicate that extracts of eleuthero root assist
in increasing the general health and number of T-lymphocytes available
for the human body to fight off infection and disease.3
It is also documented, through clinical and animal
studies, that the polysaccharides found in eleuthero stimulate
macrophages, promote antibody formation, and increase T-lymphocyte
proliferation.4,5
Athletic performance
Research indicates that eleutherococcus may positively influence
working capacity and rehabilitation in athletes. It
tends to decrease the amount of blood coagulation, thereby allowing
more oxygenated blood to reach tired muscles.6,7 However,
more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of eleutherococcus
regarding improvements in athletic endurance and performance.
Dosage and Toxicity
Siberian ginseng has very few reported side effects. Insomnia,
irritability, melancholy, and anxiety are infrequently reported,
or are signs of overuse. It is not recommended for people with
high blood pressure. Supplemental powdered eleutheroside extracts
are most often taken at about 100 to 200 mg per day, tinctures
at about 10 to 20 ml per day, and dried root at about 2 to 4 grams
per day. Frequently, eleuthero is taken for about six weeks, followed
by a one or two week break before resuming. Because some drug
interactions may exist, people on prescription medications should
consult a doctor before taking Siberian ginseng supplements. |
