The root of the Eleutherococcus senticosus plant, also referred to as Siberian ginseng or Eleuthero, is often used medicinally to combat fatigue, stress and herpes. The plant belongs to the ginseng family, Araliaceae, however is botanically totally different from true ginseng, Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius. It can grow in colder areas than real ginseng and sometimes prices less.
The Chinese have used Eleutherococcus for 4000 years for longevity, health, to stimulate appetite and to boost memory. Russians discovered it in late 19th century and studied it in the late Nineteen Fifties as a ginseng substitute. They studied the plant’s adaptogen properties on regarding 4,300 people. The property “adaptogen” was defined by Lazarev, a Russian scientist, who needed 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 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.
These days many people use it to extend endurance and resistance to stress. Its effect on fatigue, convalescence and concentration problems were partially proven in a recent double blind study on 20 elderly people . Results indicated that when four weeks of three hundred mg of Eleutherococcus per day, it had a positive impact on stress, fatigue and vitality, but results weren’t sustained when eight weeks.
Preliminary studies conjointly counsel that Eleutherococcus promotes immune functions. It was found to own a pronounced result on T lymphocytes, cytotoxic and natural killer cells. A German double blind study was conducted monitoring immune functions in 18 individuals taking 1 tablespoon of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract three times daily compared to those of the 18 folks taking a placebo for four weeks. Once four weeks, they measured immune cell concentration in blood samples. The cluster 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 facet effects were noted, even 5 months after administration. Researchers concluded that, “Eleutherococcus senticosus exerts a strong immunomodulatory impact in healthy traditional subjects.”
A double blind study on ninety three individuals tormented by 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 two, usually 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 will 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 focused while not straining and provides a sense of overall serenity.
Eleutherococcus should be taken for many days to indicate effects. Nathuropaths typically say twenty one days, but I typically feel an improvement after ten days.
Eleutherococcus is contraindicated for children underneath 12, pregnant and breastfeeding girls and folks stricken by hypertension. It might cause palpitations and increase blood sugar when a meal. It has just about no side effects, aside from mild diarrhea and temporary sleep perturbations.
Eleutherococcus will be taken as an herbal tea, dried root extract, tincture, or water extract. I sometimes take the tincture as a result of it’s a lot of convenient, easier to find and sometimes contains stronger concentrations of active ingredients. Dosage can vary from ten ml to twenty ml per day during a glass of water. It’s conjointly suggested to stop taking Eleutherococcus for one week each six weeks.
