Botanical:  Eleutherococcus senticosus - formerly known as Acanthopanax senticosus
Family: Araliaceae (ginseng)
Other common names:  Siberian Ginseng, Russian Ginseng, Ci wu ju, Devil's Shrub, Eleuthero Root, Eleutherococcus, Touch-me-not, Wild Pepper, Shigoka

Tired?  Why not join the many people who have used Eleuthero Root to reduce fatigue and build stamina, while stimulating the immune system against the effects of stress.  It is said to support the body's resistance to infection during prolonged periods of physical and mental stress, and athletes who want to increase performance and endurance, favor its stamina-building benefits.  Long used as a sedative, Eleuthero Root's stress-fighting capacities have been useful in combatting depression, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), problems with concentration and environmental sensitivity.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
Originating in Russia, Eleuthero Root is sometimes called Siberian Ginseng, and although it is not technically a true ginseng and only a distant relative from the same Araliaceae family), it has many of the same properties and applications. Its use dates back about two thousand years; however, it was "rediscovered" in Siberia in 1855, mistaken for Panax ginseng, and thus, received one of its common names, Siberian Ginseng.  Eleuthero Root is a small, woody, hardy shrub, native to southeastern Siberia, just north of China's Amur River, and it also grows in China, Japan and Korea, and is well adapted to the Pacific Northwest of the United States and British Columbia.  Eleuthero grows to a height of ten feet and thrives as a crop in well-drained, rich, moist soil in sun or partial shade, but it can be broadly tolerant of soils, growing in loamy and heavy clay soils with acid, neutral or alkaline chemistry, including soils of low nutritional value.   It is deciduous with flowers that are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects. The dried roots and root bark are used in herbal medicine, and since the age of the root is thought to be essential (because older roots contain more healing properties), they are more highly valued and best when harvested after two or more years of age.  Some of the constituents in Eleuthero Root include a rich source of amino acids, terpenoids (oleanolic acid), volatile oils, caffeic acid, coniferyl aldehyde, glucose, maltose, sucrose, beta-sitosterol, polysaccharides (eleutherans), carbohydrates, coumarins (eleutheroside B1 and B3, isofraxidine), glycosides (eleutheroside A [daucosterin], B1, C - G), saponins, important vitamins (including niacin and B-complex) and minerals.

Beneficial Uses:
Eleuthero Root is considered an "adaptogen," or agent that works to normalize bodily functions during stressful or other situations that might alter those functions, helping the body to adapt and return to an overall sense of well-being.  The herb contains active chemical ingredients called eleutherosides, which appear to inhibit the stress response by reducing the activity of the adrenal cortex and is an immune stimulant that is especially useful for preventing infection during times of intense physical activity. The stress-fighting and depression-combating capacities in Eleuthero Root have also made it useful in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Eleuthero Root has been known to support the body by helping the liver detoxify harmful toxins and products of radiation exposure.  Preliminary studies in Russia have confirmed the use of the herb for people undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments to help alleviate side effects. In human studies the herb has been successfully used to treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation.

Some researchers claim that Eleuthero Root increases the synthesis of interferon, a powerful chemical that boosts immune system activity, literally interfering with every stage of viral infection.  It has also been known to stimulate the activity of several immune-system components, including the B- and T-cells that attack bacteria, making it useful in treating many kinds of infection.  Eleuthero Root is thought to combat respiratory infections and has been used to treat bronchitis and chronic lung ailments.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Eleuthero Root has been used to treat rheumatic diseases and heart ailments. The herb has been employed to reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and restore cardiovascular health. 

Many claim that Eleuthero aids in restoring memory, concentration and mental clarity, which may be impaired by poor blood supply to the brain.

Eleuthero Root has been thought to ease depression by directly balancing serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine, the brain chemicals that determine mood.

Eleuthero Root may also be useful when the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) is depleted, symptoms of which include fatigue, stress, neurasthenia and sore muscles associated with the hypofunctioning of the endocrine system.

Recent evidence suggests that Eleuthero Root may prove valuable in the long-term management of various diseases of the immune system, including HIV, chronic fatigue syndrome and other autoimmune illnesses.

In men, Eleuthero Root appears to stimulate the body's production of testosterone and thus may be helpful in increasing sex drive and fighting impotence.

Russian athletes have been using Eleuthero Root for years for consistent training, quicker reflexes, better stamina and increased energy.  It is favored by many athletes, who maintain that it prevents them from getting sick and becoming run down through heavy training and will actually improve an athlete’s overall training, promote more consistent training, quicken reflexes and lower race times.  Moreover, after strenuous workouts, the use of the herb has helped restore a feeling of well being with less fatigue.

Eleuthero is also said to reduce “burn” after workouts.  It is said to resist stress and during a stressful situation, the adrenal glands release corticosteroids and adrenaline, which initiate the “fight-or-flight” response.  When these hormones are depleted, the body reaches an exhausted phase, but the herb delays the exhausted phase and allows a more efficient release of the hormones. 

Chinese healers believe that Eleuthero Root is one of the best remedies for insomnia.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, two (2) to three (3) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Men with prostate disorders should not use Eleuthero Root, as it contains compounds that may stimulate testosterone production.  Pregnant and nursing women may use it but should avoid products that also contain Panax ginseng.   Anyone taking digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin) should seek the advice of a health-care professional before taking Eleuthero Root.  Patients with hypertension should not consume Siberian Ginseng.  Rare side effects have been reported: Insomnia, drowsiness, nervousness, tachycardia, headache, hypoglycemia.

Capsule Size:
We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" capsules for all of our encapsulated products. (click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs of powdered herb material.

• Eleuthero Root (sold as Siberian Ginseng) - Standardized Extract -- Approximately 600 mgs each
• Siberian Ginseng - Botanical Powder -- Approximately 600 mgs each