Eleuthero

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Araliaceae, or the ginseng family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Eleuthero grows abundantly in Russia and Northern China, and was introduced to the USA in the late 1970s as “Siberian Ginseng” although it is not actually a ginseng! ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Root ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Adaptogen
• General tonic ^[1]
5. Body System Indications:
• Enhance the body’s nonspecific resistance to various internal and external stressors
• Enhance physical and mental performance
• Simulate immune response
• GI - Anti-hepatotoxic
• Cardiovascular - Angina, hypertension, hypotension,
• Respiratory - Chronic bronchitis
• Neuro - Depression, neuroses, insomnia ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Eleutherosides; glycosides/ aglycones- sterols, lignans and phenolics; polysaccharides ^[2]
7. Energetics:
• Pungent, sweet, heating ^[3]
8. Safety & Interactions:
• May interfere with cardiac medications (including hypo- and hypertensive drugs) and hypoglycemic agents. It may also enhance the efficacy of antibiotics monomycin and kanamycin. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The dried, ground root is pale yellow-brown in color. It’s very flaky like small pieces of hay. Not a strong smell, maybe a little sweet.
2. Preparation Method:
• Tincture: (1:5 in 40%) 10-20 mL 1-3x/day
• Decoction: 150 mL of boiling water over 2-3g dried herb, steep 5-10 mins ^[2]
3. Usage Notes:
• I have eleuthero tincture and was taking it frequently for over a year. It is pretty pleasant to take. Sweet and warming. When I take it I feel that it helps with my stress level, but it also increases my heart palpitations.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2019). Week 2 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-19_MW5125-A Botanicals 5: Holistic Gynecologic Health
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.