The root of the Eleutherococcus senticosus plant, also known as Siberian ginseng or Eleuthero, is usually used medicinally to combat fatigue, stress and herpes. The plant belongs to the ginseng family, Araliaceae, but is botanically totally different from true ginseng, Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius. It will grow in colder areas than real ginseng and typically costs less.
The Chinese have used Eleutherococcus for 4000 years for longevity, health, to stimulate appetite and to improve memory. Russians discovered it in late nineteenth century and studied it in the late 1950s as a ginseng substitute. They studied the plant’s adaptogen properties on about four,three hundred people. The property “adaptogen” was defined by Lazarev, a Russian scientist, who wished to put a more 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 several 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 many folks use it to increase endurance and resistance to stress. Its impact on fatigue, convalescence and concentration problems were partially proven in an exceedingly recent double blind study on 20 elderly individuals . Results indicated that when four weeks of three hundred mg of Eleutherococcus per day, it had a positive impact on stress, fatigue and vitality, however results were not sustained after eight weeks.
Preliminary studies additionally recommend that Eleutherococcus promotes immune functions. It had been found to have a pronounced impact on T lymphocytes, cytotoxic and natural killer cells. A German double blind study was conducted monitoring immune functions in 18 people taking one tablespoon of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract three times daily compared to those of the eighteen people taking a placebo for four weeks. After four weeks, they measured immune cell concentration in blood samples. The group taking Eleutherococcus had the next 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 conjointly expanded by 22 percent compared to controls. No side effects were noted, even five months when administration. Researchers concluded that, “Eleutherococcus senticosus exerts a strong immunomodulatory result in healthy traditional subjects.”
A double blind study on ninety three people laid low with recurrent herpes infections indicates that 2g of Eleutherococcus per day may limit or cut back the frequency of herpes infections. However, these findings concern only herpes virus simplex a pair of, typically inflicting 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 experience, I can say that Eleutherococcus may be a real adaptogen plant. I’ve used it successfully to cope with stress, build resistance and limit the frequency of genital herpes outbreaks. It helps me to stay targeted without straining and provides a sense of overall serenity.
Eleutherococcus should be taken for many days to show effects. Nathuropaths sometimes say 21 days, however I usually feel an improvement when 10 days.
Eleutherococcus is contraindicated for kids under 12, pregnant and breastfeeding girls and folks tormented by hypertension. It may cause palpitations and increase blood sugar when a meal. It has just about no facet effects, apart from delicate diarrhea and temporary sleep perturbations.
Eleutherococcus can be taken as an herbal tea, dried root extract, tincture, or water extract. I sometimes take the tincture because it’s additional convenient, easier to find and usually contains stronger concentrations of active ingredients. Dosage will vary from ten ml to 20 ml per day in a very glass of water. It is conjointly recommended to prevent taking Eleutherococcus for one week every six weeks.