What Is Eleuthero?

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a medicinal herb said to offer a wide range of health benefits. Although it is also referred to as "Siberian ginseng," eleuthero does not belong to the same family as "true" ginseng, which includes Korean or Asian ginseng and American ginseng. Eleuthero is available as a dietary supplement and sometimes used in skincare products.

What Is Eleuthero Used For?

Eleuthero is thought to act as an adaptogen, a class of herbs that supposedly boost the body's resistance to stress. Proponents claim that eleuthero can also help with these health conditions:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Arthritis
• Atherosclerosis
• Bronchitis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Colds
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Flu
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Kidney disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis

In addition, eleuthero is sometimes used to improve athletic performance, boost the immune system, and ease the side effects of chemotherapy.

To date, research on the health effects of Siberian ginseng is fairly limited. However, some studies suggest that eleuthero shows promise in the treatment of certain conditions, including:

Colds

Eleuthero is possibly effective for cold relief when taken in combination with the herb Andrographis, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A 2004 study of 130 children published in Phytotherapy Research found that an herbal formula containing eleuthero and Andrographis helped reduce cold duration and severity when treatment was started at the early stages of the cold.

Fatigue

Eleuthero may help improve mental performance in people with mild, stress-induced fatigue, according to a 2009 research review published in Current Clinical Pharmacology.

Additionally, a 2004 study from Psychological Medicine found that eleuthero might benefit people with "moderate fatigue." However, the study also found that eleuthero was not effective for people with severe fatigue. The study involved 96 people with fatigue, each of whom received either eleuthero or a placebo for two months.

Osteoarthritis

For a 2009 study published in The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, researchers assigned 57 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee to six weeks of daily treatment with either a placebo or an herbal formula containing eleuthero, Panax ginseng, and Chinese foxglove. By the study's end, those had received the herbal formula showed greater improvement in pain and physical functioning (compared to those who had taken the placebo). However, it's not known whether eleuthero on its own can help manage osteoarthritis.

High Cholesterol

Eleuthero may help cut high cholesterol, according to a small study published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications in 2008. For the study, 40 postmenopausal women were assigned to receive either calcium or calcium plus eleuthero for six months. Study results revealed that those who were given calcium plus eleuthero experienced significant decreases in LDL cholesterol and certain markers of oxidative stress (a destructive biological process linked to many major health problems, including heart disease and cancer).

Possible Side Effects

Although eleuthero is likely safe when used in the short term, it may trigger a number of side effects including insomnia, headache, nervousness, upset GI tract, and diarrhea.

It's also important to take caution when using Siberian ginseng if you have high blood pressure, a heart condition, diabetes, a hormone-sensitive condition (such as breast cancer or uterine fibroids), or a mental condition (such as mania or schizophrenia). In these cases, the NIH recommends avoiding the use of eleuthero or using eleuthero only under your healthcare provider's supervision.

Not all supplements are tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established.

Dosage and Preparation

There is not enough scientific evidence to establish an appropriate dose of eleuthero. In studies investigating the herb's effects on colds, 400 mg of a combination treatment (Siberian ginseng plus a specific andrographis extract) standardized to contain 4-5.6 mg andrographolide was taken three times daily.

The correct dose for you may depend on factors including your age, gender, and medical history. Speak to your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

What to Look For

The NIH warns that eleuthero products often contain adulterants—other ingredients that do not contribute to the benefit of the product. Silk vine is a common adulterant of eleuthero, according to the NIH.

To avoid adulterants, read product labels carefully or ask your health-care provider to recommend an eleuthero product to you.

It's also important not to confuse eleuthero with other types of ginseng commonly used in herbal medicine, such as Panax ginseng and American ginseng.

If you're considering the use of Siberian ginseng in the treatment of a chronic condition, make sure to consult your healthcare provider before starting your supplement regimen.  Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.