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Eleutherococcus senticosus

Russian ginseng; Siberian ginseng; Ginseng, Russian; Ginseng, Siberian; Eleuthero

Proposed Uses: Adaptogen; Stress; Herpes; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Sports Performance

Eleutherococcus senticosus is only distantly related to the true ginseng species (Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolius) and possesses entirely different, unrelated chemical constituents. However, it is popularly called Russian or Siberian ginseng. The origin of this misnomer lies in the work of a Soviet scientist, I. I. Brekhman, who believed that eleutherococcus has the same properties as ginseng, and popularized it as a less-expensive alternative herb.

According to Brekhman, eleutherococcus and ginseng are both adaptogens. This term refers to a hypothetical treatment defined as follows: An adaptogen should help the body adapt to stresses of various kinds, whether heat, cold, exertion, trauma, sleep deprivation, toxic exposure, radiation, infection, or psychological stress. Furthermore, an adaptogen should cause no side effects, be effective in treating a wide variety of illnesses, and help return an organism toward balance no matter what may have gone wrong.

Perhaps the only indisputable example of an adaptogen is a healthful lifestyle. By eating right, exercising regularly, and generally living a life of balance and moderation, you will increase your physical fitness and ability to resist illnesses of all types. Brekhman felt certain that both eleutherococcus and ginseng produced similarly universal benefits. However, there is little to no meaningful evidence supporting this theory.
Herbs sold under the name ciwuja are most likely eleutherococcus as well.

If Brekhman is right, ginseng (whether Eleutherococcus or Panax) should be the right treatment for most of us. Modern life is tremendously stressful, and if an herb could help us withstand stress, it would be a useful herb indeed. Eleutherococus is widely used for this purpose in Russia and Eastern Europe, and is popular elsewhere as well. However, there is little meaningful evidence to support this theory. Existing evidence on the supposed adaptogenic properties of eleutherococcus falls far beneath current scientific standards.

Dosage
The typical recommended daily dosage of eleutherococcus is 2 to 3 g whole herb or 300 to 400 mg of extract daily.

Safety Issues
According to studies performed primarily in the former Soviet Union, eleutherococcus appears to present a low order of toxicity in both the short and long term. Human trials have not resulted in any significant side effects.1,10 Safety in pregnant or nursing women, young children, or people with severe liver or kidney disease is not known.
One report suggests that eleutherococcus may alter the results of a test for digoxin.11 However, it is not clear whether it was the eleutherococcus or a contaminant (e.g., digoxin mixed with the herb) that caused these problems.

If you are taking Digoxin: Eleutheroccoccus may interfere with blood tests designed to measure digoxin level.

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