Eleuthero, which is known in the United States as Siberian ginseng, has been used for centuries in China and Russia. Although a distant relative of American and Asian ginsengs (Panax sp.), with some overlap in its uses, Siberian Ginseng is a distinct plant with different active chemical components. Prized for its ability to restore vigor, increase longevity, enhance overall health, and stimulate both a healthy appetite and a good memory, it is widely used in Russia to help the body adapt to stressful conditions and to enhance productivity.
In Chinese medicine, it is valued for its beneficial effects on "qi" and its ability to treat "yang" deficiency in the spleen and kidney. Like the panax Ginseng, Siberian ginseng is considered to be an adaptogen, which means that it helps in stressful circumstances and also helps return the body to a normal balance. So, for example, an adaptogen might lower blood pressure in someone who has high blood pressure, but raise it in another person who has low blood pressure. The active ingredients in Siberian ginseng, eleutherosides (similar to ginsenosides in the panax species), are thought to increase stamina and to stimulate the immune system.
Until recently, most scientific research on Siberian Ginseng took place in Russia. This research has largely supported its use to maintain health and strengthen the system rather than to treat particular disorders. Siberian ginseng may help the body deal with physically and mentally stressful exposures such as heat, cold, physical exhaustion, viruses, bacteria, chemicals, extreme working conditions, noise, and pollution. By strengthening the system, it may also help prevent illness.
Research on Siberian ginseng has included studies on the following:
Immune System
A 4-week study in healthy subjects found that those who received Siberian Ginseng extract had improvements in a number of measures that reflect the functioning of the immune system.
Mental Performance
A 3-month human study of Siberian ginseng among middle aged volunteers found that there was a significant improvement in memory and concentration as compared to placebo.
Another popular but unproven use of Siberian Ginseng is to maintain or restore mental alertness.
Physical Performance
Although Siberian Ginseng is frequently used to enhance physical stamina and increase muscle strength, studies have shown mixed results for these purposes.
Male Fertility
Siberian ginseng has a long history of folkloric use for male infertility. Animal studies suggest that Siberian ginseng may be helpful in increasing reproductive capacity.
Viral Infection
In a laboratory study, an extract of Siberian ginseng slowed the replication of certain viruses, including influenza A (which causes the flu) as well as human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (both of which cause symptoms of the common cold). It had no effect, however, in test tubes on adenovirus (another cause of the common cold and other respiratory infections) or herpes simplex virus type 1 (which generally causes oral herpes lesions). But, a 6-month study of 93 people with herpes simplex virus type 2 (which generally causes genital herpes lesions) found that Siberian Ginseng reduced frequency, severity, and duration of outbreaks. Talk to your doctor about whether it is safe or appropriate for you to use Siberian ginseng to try to prevent herpes outbreaks.
Plant Description
Siberian Ginseng is a shrub that grows 3 to 10 feet high. Its leaves are attached to a main stem by long branches. Both the branches and the stem are covered with thorns. Flowers, yellow or violet, grow in umbrella-shaped clusters, and turn into round, black berries in late summer. The root itself is woody and is brownish, wrinkled, and twisted.
What's It Made Of?
Siberian Eleuthero Ginseng products are made from the Gaia root. The root contains a mixture of components, common to many plants but occurring together in Siberian Ginseng, called eleutherosides. Among the other ingredients are chemicals called polysaccharides, which have been found to boost the immune system and lower blood sugar levels in laboratory studies using animals.
Available Forms
Siberian Ginseng is available in liquid extracts, solid extracts, powders, capsules, and tablets, and as dried or cut root for tea.
It is important to note that there is a wide variation in the quality and amount of Siberian Ginseng found in different products as well as a significant amount of mislabeling of products containing this herb. In evaluations of commercial products claiming to have Siberian ginseng, as many as 25% had no measurable ginseng at all. Plus, many formulas for sale were contaminated with contents not marked on the label. Care should be taken to purchase Siberian Ginseng products from reputable manufacturers.
