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Herbs & Supplements
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Scientific Name: Eleuthero
Other Names: Acanthopanax senticosus, Ci Wu Jia, Devil's Bush, Russian Root, Shigoka, Siberian Ginseng, Taiga, Thorny Pepperbush, Touch-Me-Not, Wild Pepper
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Uses
NOTE: Eleuthero is the new name for Siberian ginseng in the United States. It is different from both American ginseng and Panax ginseng. They are not interchangeable.
Eleuthero is used widely in eastern Asia as a tonic to enhance overall well-being. Like members of the Panax (true ginseng) family of plants, eleuthero is considered to be an "adaptogen", a substance that may help individuals cope with physical and emotional stress. Overall body stabilizers, adaptogens are believed to have a number of general effects that help protect cells from damage due to environmental conditions. Studies of eleuthero's possible actions in animals and humans do show that it may have some positive effects. For instance, chemicals in eleuthero produced moderate reductions in blood cholesterol levels for individuals in a small clinical study. It also decreased blood sugar in experimental animals. However, the type of eleuthero used to lower both cholesterol and blood sugar was an injectable form not available outside of Asia.
In other animal research, eleuthero may have helped to improve memory and concentration through protective effects on nerve cells. In some studies, eleuthero also increased the amounts of certain neurotransmitters in the brains of laboratory animals. Neurotransmitters are natural body chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells. Decreased levels of specific neurotransmitters are associated with conditions such as depression and Parkinson's disease.
Eleuthero also appears to boost immune system function slightly by increasing the activity of immune system cells. In laboratory studies, various chemicals found in eleuthero have also shown some antiviral and anticancer properties, but these effects have not been well studied in humans. Although eleuthero is also thought to increase the capability to do physical work, results from several studies on physical performance are inconclusive. Work capacity appeared to increase for some study participants but actually decreased for others. All of eleuthero's possible effects need to be studied further before its use can be recommended.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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