Descripton

The Siberian ginseng bush grows between 3-10 feet high, with a main stem and long branches covered by thorns. Yellow or violet flowers grow in clusters on the plant, which turn into round, black berries. Siberian ginseng is native to the Taiga region of the Far East (southeastern part of Russia, northern China, Korea, and Japan) and renowned worldwide for helping to promote good health, endurance and vitality. It has been a staple of Oriental medicine for 5,000 years and is respected for its invigorating value.

Function:

Siberian Ginseng contains remarkable compounds, Eleutherosides, which stimulates mental and physical vigor. Numerous scientific publications on Siberian Ginseng have demonstrated anti-fatigue effects, improved stamina and performance, increased alertness and learning ability. Most of these have been confirmed in human trials. Siberian Ginseng has been a popular self-medication among people who are undergoing convalescence, under excessive stress or strain, overworked, weakened by chronic illness, and those who need to achieve peak physical and mental performance. There are also a considerable number of reports indicating its support for the immune system, restoration of abnormally low blood pressure, improvement in the circulation system, normalization of disturbances in sugar and fat metabolism, anabolic effects in the liver, testes, bone marrow and other vital organs.

1. Prevent Stress-related Illnesses.

Siberian ginseng contains eleutherosides that favorably affect the adrenal glands, the small glands that rest atop the kidneys and secrete stress-fighting hormones. Taking the herb is believed to boost the body's capacity to handle physical stresses ranging from heat exposure to extreme exertion. Resistance to disease increases as well. So does one's overall energy level.

2. Combat Fatigue and Restore Energy.

Eleutherosides has been shown to enhance mental acuity and physical endurance without the letdown that comes with caffeinated products.5 Research has shown that eleutherosides improves the use of oxygen by the exercising muscle.6 This means that a person is able to maintain aerobic exercise longer and recover from workouts more quickly. Preliminary research from Russia indicates it may be effective for this purpose.7

3. Stimulate Body’s Immunity

Siberian ginseng extract was shown to stimulate cellular immunity. It was found to stimulate T-cell production, especially helper cells. Thus Siberian ginseng is touted for numerous immune-related disorders. German scientists have found that this herb may be useful for treatment in the early stages of AIDS. It is found to retard the spread of the virus by a synergistic action of the elevated numbers of both helper and cytotoxic T cells.

Dosage:

Dried, powdered root and rhizomes of 2- 3 grams per day can be used14. Concentrated solid extract standardized on eleutherosides B and E, 300-400 mg per day, can also be used, as can alcohol-based extracts, 8-10 ml in two to three divided dosages. Historically, eleutherosides is taken continuously for six to eight weeks, followed by a one- to two-week break before resuming.

Safety:

Reported side effects have been minimal with use of eleuthero15. However, side effects often reported at higher dosages (4.56 ml three times daily) include insomnia, irritability, melancholy, and anxiety. Individuals with rheumatic heart disease have reported pericardial pain, headaches, palpitations, and elevations in blood pressure following the administration of Siberian ginseng.Mild, transient diarrhea has been reported in a very small number of users.

Toxicity studies in animals have demonstrated that Siberian ginseng extracts are virtually nontoxic. The LD50 (50 %lethal dose) of the 33 %ethanol extract of Siberian ginseng is 14.5 ml/kg in mice and greater than 20.0ml/kg, and no long-term toxicity was observed in rats administered the 33 % ethanol extract of Siberian ginseng at a daily dose of 5.0 ml/kg. In human studies it was demonstrated that Siberian ginseng extracts (33% ethanol) are extremely well tolerated and side effects are quite infrequent.

Chemistry:

The main active ingredients are considered to be Eleutheroside B and Eleutheroside E.

References

1. Collisson RJ. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus se666nticosus). Brit J Phytother 1991;2:61–71 [review].

2. Farnsworth NR, Kinghorn AD, Soejarto DD, Waller DP. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus): Current status as an adaptogen. In Economic and Medicinal Plant Research, vol 1, ed. Wagner H, Hikino HZ, Farnsworth NR. London: Academic Press, 1985, 155–215 [review].

3. Hikino H, Takahashi M, Otake K, konno C. Isolation and hypoglycemic activity of eleutherans A, B, C, D, E, F and G: glycans of Eleutherococcus senticosus roots. J Natural Prod 1986;49:293–7.

4. Wagner H, Nörr H, Winterhoff H. Plant adaptogens. Phytomed 1994;1:63–76 [review].

5. Farnsworth NR, Kinghorn AD, Soejarto DD, Waller DP. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus): Current status as an adaptogen. In Economic and Medicinal Plant Research, vol 1, ed. Wagner H, Hikino HZ, Farnsworth NR. London: Academic Press, 1985, 155–215 [review].

6. Asano K, Takahashi T, Miyashita M, et al. Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract on human working capacity. Planta Medica 1986;37:175–7.

7. Asano K, Takahashi T, Miyashita M, et al. Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract on human working capacity. Planta Medica 1986;37:175–7.

8. Kelly GS. Sports nutrition: A review of selected nutritional supplements for endurance athletes. Alt Med Rev 1997;2:282–95 [review].

9. McNaughton L. A comparison of Chinese and Russian ginseng as ergogenic aids to improve various facets of physical fitness. Int Clin Nutr Rev 1989;9:32–5.

10. Collisson RJ. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus). Brit J Phytother 1991;2:61–71 [review].

11. Ben-Hur E, Fulder S. Effect of P. ginseng saponins and Eleutherococcus S. on survival of cultured mammalian cells after ionizing radiation. Am J Chin Med 1981;9:48–56.

12. Kupin VI, Polevaia EB. Stimulation of the immunological reactivity of cancer patients by eleutherococcus extract. Vopr Onkol 1986;32:21–6 [in Russian].

13. Bohn B, Nebe CT, Birr C. Flow cytometric studies with Eleutherococcus senticosus extract as an immunomodulating agent. Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 1987;37:1193–6.

14. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996, 69–77.

15. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997, 45.

16. McRae S. Elevated serum digoxin levels in a patient taking digoxin and Siberian ginseng. Can Med Assoc J 1996;155:293–5.