The foundation of the Eleutherococcus senticosus plant, also called Siberian ginseng or Eleuthero, is often used medicinally to combat fatigue, stress and herpes. The plant belongs to the ginseng family, Araliaceae, but is botanically different from true ginseng, Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius. It will grow in colder areas than real ginseng and typically prices less.
The Chinese have used Eleutherococcus for 4000 years for longevity, health, to stimulate appetite and to improve memory. Russians discovered it in late 19th century and studied it within the late Nineteen Fifties as a ginseng substitute. They studied the plant’s adaptogen properties on regarding 4,300 people. The property “adaptogen” was outlined by Lazarev, a Russian scientist, who wanted to place a additional precise name to the tonic properties of ginseng-like plants. Adaptogen refers to a substance that promotes adaptation to environmental stress of all kinds. It regulates many physiological functions while not targeting one organ in particular. Eleutherococcus was introduced as a medicinal plant in Western Europe and North America in 1975.
Today several people use it to increase endurance and resistance to stress. Its result on fatigue, convalescence and concentration problems were partially proven in a recent double blind study on 20 elderly folks . Results indicated that after four weeks of 300 mg of Eleutherococcus per day, it had a positive impact on stress, fatigue and vitality, however results weren’t sustained once eight weeks.
Preliminary studies additionally recommend that Eleutherococcus promotes immune functions. It was found to possess a pronounced result on T lymphocytes, cytotoxic and natural killer cells. A German double blind study was conducted monitoring immune functions in eighteen individuals taking one tablespoon of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract three times daily compared to those of the 18 people taking a placebo for four weeks. Once four weeks, they measured immune cell concentration in blood samples. The group taking Eleutherococcus had a higher concentration of all immune cells. Total T-cell numbers increased by 78 percent, T helper/inducer cells by 80 percent, cytotoxic Ts by 67 percent, and NK cells by 30 percent. B Lymphocytes also expanded by 22 percent compared to controls. No side effects were noted, even 5 months once administration. Researchers concluded that, “Eleutherococcus senticosus exerts a robust immunomodulatory result in healthy traditional subjects.”
A double blind study on 93 folks full of recurrent herpes infections indicates that 2g of Eleutherococcus per day may limit or reduce the frequency of herpes infections. However, these findings concern solely herpes virus simplex two, sometimes causing genital herpes. A 2001 German in vitro study showed that Eleutherococcus had no impact on herpes virus simplex one (HSV-1) cells. HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes.
From personal expertise, I can say that Eleutherococcus could be a real adaptogen plant. I’ve used it successfully to deal with stress, build resistance and limit the frequency of genital herpes outbreaks. It helps me to stay targeted while not straining and provides a way of overall serenity.
Eleutherococcus should be taken for several days to indicate effects. Nathuropaths typically say 21 days, but I typically feel an improvement once ten days.
Eleutherococcus is contraindicated for youngsters below twelve, pregnant and breastfeeding women and individuals littered with hypertension. It may cause palpitations and increase blood sugar once a meal. It has virtually no side effects, apart from gentle diarrhea and temporary sleep perturbations.
Eleutherococcus will be taken as an herbal tea, dried root extract, tincture, or water extract. I typically take the tincture as a result of it’s additional convenient, easier to search out and usually contains stronger concentrations of active ingredients. Dosage will vary from ten ml to 20 ml per day in a glass of water. It’s additionally recommended to stop taking Eleutherococcus for one week each six weeks.
