Ginseng

Can be found in our Memory Mate and MSM Alive products.

Siberian Ginseng

Part Used:   Root

Scientific Name:  

Eleutherococcus

Indications :

E. senticosus as medicine claim it possesses a variety of medicinal properties, such as:

• increased endurance
• memory improvement
• anti-inflammatory
• immunogenic
• chemoprotective
• radiological protection

 

Habitat:

Siberian ginseng, also known as eleuthero, has been used for centuries in Eastern countries, including China and Russia.

Description: 

Siberian ginseng is a shrub that grows 3 - 10 feet high. Its leaves are attached to a main stem by long branches. Both the branches and the stem are covered with thorns. Flowers, yellow or violet, grow in umbrella-shaped clusters, and turn into round, black berries in late summer. The root itself is woody and is brownish, wrinkled, and twisted.

Medicinal Parts: 

Root, leaves and berry

 

Historical Properties & Uses: 

Eleutherococcus has been studied extensively in Russia. It is used as a health food in China, but Asian folk medicine largely has ignored eleutherococcus in favor of its relative, ginseng. As with ginseng, root s of the plant have been promoted as “adaptogens” that aid the body in responding to external (eg, environmental) and internal (eg, a disease) stress. The plants have been used to normalize high or low blood pressure, to stimulate the immune system, and to increase work capacity. Reputed effects include increasing body energy levels, protection from motion sickness and against toxins, control of alloxan-induced diabetes, reduction of tumors, and control of atherosclerosis.

Traditional uses:

Research on Siberian ginseng has included studies on the following:

Immune system

A 4-week study in healthy subjects found that those who received Siberian ginseng  had improvements in a number of measures that reflect the functioning of the immune system. Several combination supplements containing Siberian ginseng and other herbs have reported benefits in patients with colds and the flu. Laboratory studies also Mental performance

A 3-month human study of Siberian ginseng among middle aged volunteers found that there was a significant improvement in memory and concentration as compared to placebo.

Another popular but unproven use of Siberian ginseng is to maintain or restore mental alertness.

Physical performance

Although Siberian ginseng is frequently used to enhance physical stamina and increase muscle strength, studies have shown mixed results for these purposes. Other studies support the use of Siberian ginseng to decrease symptoms of fatigue.

Male fertility

Siberian ginseng has a long history of folkloric use for male infertility. Animal studies suggest that Siberian ginseng may be helpful in increasing reproductive capacity.

Elderly quality of life

One study found Siberian ginseng use in elderly patients improved their quality of life including aspects of mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks of therapy. When the ginseng was stopped, the improvements decreased.

Herpes viral infection

A 6-month study of 93 people with herpes simplex virus type 2 (which can cause genital herpes lesions) found that Siberian ginseng reduced frequency, severity, and duration of outbreaks. Talk to your doctor about whether it is safe or appropriate for you to use Siberian ginseng as a supplement to prevent herpes outbreaks.

Method of Action:

In Chinese medicine, it is valued for its beneficial effects on "qi" and its ability to treat "yang" deficiency in the spleen and kidney. Like Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng is considered to be an adaptogen. This means it helps in stressful circumstances and also helps return the body to a normal balance. For example, an adaptogen might lower blood pressure in someone who has high blood pressure, but it might raise blood pressure in someone who has low blood pressure. The active ingredients in Siberian ginseng, called eleutherosides, are thought to increase stamina and to stimulate the immune system.

Until recently, most scientific research on Siberian ginseng was conducted in Russia. This research has largely supported its use to maintain health and strengthen the system rather than to treat particular disorders. Siberian ginseng may help the body deal with physically and mentally stressful exposures, such as heat, cold, physical exhaustion, viruses, bacteria, chemicals, extreme working conditions, noise, and pollution. By strengthening the system, it may also help prevent illness.

 

Drug Interactions & Precautions

Possible Interactions 

If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use Siberian ginseng without first talking to your health care provider:

Digoxin -- Siberian ginseng may raise blood levels of digoxin, a medication used to treat heart conditions. This can increase the risk of adverse side effects from this medication.

Sedatives for insomnia -- Caution should be taken when considering use of Siberian ginseng with sedatives, primarily barbiturates (a class of medications including pentobarbital used to treat sleep problems or seizures).

Comments

• People with medicated high blood pressure should consult their doctor before taking E. senticosus as it may reduce their need for medication.
• E. senticosus may cause light sleep in some people, principally those who are "wired". Users are recommended not to take it in the evening.
• E. senticosus will enhance the effectiveness of mycin class antibiotics.
• E. senticosus when purchased from non-GMP sources has occasionally been adulterated with Periploca graeca which can potentiate digoxin or similar drugs: however this is not an interaction of E. senticosus.[2]^[unreliable source?^]
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