Siberian Ginseng is a small woody shrub from North Eastern Asia. It is sometimes known as Eleuthero Root or Ciwujia

It is mostly known in the World as Siberian Ginseng but that is not allowed in the USA where the name is reserved for Panax ginseng albeit many believe the two plants to have similar properties although distantly related.

Traditional Uses and Constituents for Siberian Ginseng:-

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) enhances physical and mental vitality and endurance. It provides long-term benefits and dietary support to individuals leading active and demanding lifestyles that can create fatigue or reduce work capacity and concentration.

The root itself is not harvested until it is at least two years old and the older the root, the more effective its constituents.

The major constituents are ciwujianoside A-E, eleutheroside B (syringin), eleutheroside A-M, friedelin and isofraxidin.

It is classified and responsible in large part for the coining of the term, Adaptogen meaning:- a class of plants and substances that increases an organism’s “non specific resistance” to stress of various kinds. It is alleged to increase energy & stamina, restoring memory & concentration, good for depression, debility, fatigue, and nervous breakdowns. It has been shown to enhance mental acuity and physical endurance. It improves the use of oxygen by exercising muscles creating the ability to maintain aerobic exercise longer and recovery from workouts is much quicker. It can be useful as a preventive measure during cold and flu season. It has a multitude of traditional uses: Alzheimers disease, athletic performance, ADD, chemotherapy support, chronic fatigue syndrome, common cold/sore throat, diabetes, fibromyalgia, influenza, and stress & fatigue.

Historically, Eleutherococcus is taken continously for 6-8 weeks, followed by a 1-2 week break before resuming.