Eleuthero is commonly called Siberian Ginseng, also known by its latin name of Eleutherococcus senticosus or the Chinese appellation of Acanthopanax senticosus. Eleuthero is one of the most widely researched and used herbs from antiquity to the present day. Eleuthero is a widely-used adaptogen in historic and modern times
Source: China, Korea, Japan and Russia
Benefits:
Stress Reduction: Lowers negative physiological response to stress as well as mediates the negative effects of stress on the body tissues. Decreases mental and physical fatigue brought on by stress
Blood Sugar and Diabetes: Can lower blood sugar levels, as well as improve insulin usage and blood lipid levels. It reduces blood glucose levels and insulin resistance, thus improving the factors contributing to diabetes. Eleuthero has been able to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in study subjects as well
Memory: Lab tests show it increases neuronal communication in the brain. This can aid in memory and cognition preventing the onset of dementia
Herpes: Trials showed Eleuthero to reduce the frequency, severity and duration of Herpes HSV2 outbreaks
Anti-Viral: Beyond its efficacy against herpes, it is useful against the common cold. Benefits are also seen against a range of other viruses, including Epstein Barr, Shingles and more
Anti-Cancer: Can slow cancer growth and boost the immune system. If immunosuppression occurs while undergoing allopathic cancer treatment, Eleuthero is a great adjunct to cancer treatment to improve white blood cell counts
Reduces Inflammation: Reduces inflammatory response as well as the excess mast cell activity seen in allergic reactions or chronic overactive inflammatory disease
Immune Boosting: Increases immune cell production as well as promotes natural detoxification through the liver. Additionally, it has antioxidant properties to protect cells from free radical damage
Risks: Short-term protocols of Eleuthero have seen good results in those who’ve used it. It can react with a long list of medications, especially those who are on lithium or blood thinners. Anyone with high blood pressure should be wary before taking Eleuthero as it could increase blood pressure, therefore must be monitored daily
Eleuthero can interfere with estrogen levels resulting in good or bad effects, depending on an individual's constitution and issues. Monitor every 6-8 weeks in cases of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) or estrogen dominance
Sustainability: While it grows wild in abundance within China, Korea, Japan and Russia, it is also harvested within Canada in semi-arid conditions that imitate its natural habitat
Processing: The roots of this plant are dried or dehydrated, then sliced, chopped or made into powder to be taken as a medicinal tea or placed into capsules for consumption
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4145894/ - Learning and memory aid
http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=KR2005011388 - Effects on lipid metabolism
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3638629/ - Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20920564 - Anti-fatigue properties
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11397509 - Antiviral activity
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11032916 - Suppresses cancer growth
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11322643 - Reduces mast cell effects and allergic reactions
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2084007#hn-2084007-how-it-works - Promoting liver detox