Eleutherococcus senticosus

Common Names - Devil's root, Touch-me-not, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Acanthopanax senticosus, Ci Wu Jia, Devil's Bush, Russian Root, Shigoka, Siberian Ginseng, Taiga, Thorny Pepperbush, Wild Pepper

Parts used - The root, the rhizomes (underground stem) and the leaves. "Siberian ginseng" products that are sold in America  have nothing in  similar with any kind of ginseng. The Siberian genseng plant is a shrub of 1 to 3 meters tall, while the ginseng plant is herbaceous. It does not have any similarity in looks to Chinese ginseng,  Korean ginseng or American ginseng. It is called Siberian ginseng in America for advertising purposes. It was first introduced into the American herb market in the late 1970s as "Wuchaseng" and "Wujiaseng."  (wu jia sen 五加蔘) There appears to be no historical precedent in Chinese traditions to applying the qualifier "seng ( 蔘 or short for ginseng )" to E. senticosus  (Shiu Ying Hu, 1979). The correct Chinese name is ci wu jia.

Pharmacology - The constituents in eleuthero that have received the most attention are the eleutherosides. Seven primary eleutherosides have been identified, with most of the research attention focusing on eleutherosides B and E. Eleuthero also contains complex polysaccharides (a kind of sugar molecule). These constituents play a critical role in eleuthero's ability to support immune function. As an adaptogen, eleuthero helps the body adapt to stress. It does this by encouraging normal functioning of the adrenal glands, allowing them to function optimally when challenged by stress. 

Medicinal uses - For chronic inflammation of bronchi, neurasthenia, low sexual function, weakness, low white cell count after radiation therapy. It helps to reduce stress, to improve the immune system, to fight cancer and aging, to reduce other effects of radiation, to improve adrenal function. Ridding of dampness, pain, weakness in lower limbs, insomnia, tiredness, dizziness due to weakness and anxiety.

This distant relative of true ginsengs grows in Siberia, Manchuria, China and Northern Japan. In Germany, Siberian Ginseng is approved as a tonic to invigorate and fortify the body during fatigue or weakness and to increase work and concentration as well as an aid in patient rehabilitation.

Useful for:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Athletic performance
• Attention deficit disorder
• Chemotherapy support
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Common cold/sore throat
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Influenza (flu)
• Stress and fatigue

In the one unquestionably positive study, a 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 93 men and women with recurrent herpes infections, treatment with eleutherococcus (2 g daily) reduced the frequency of outbreaks by approximately 50%.

Research shows Eleuthero proven:

• Its anti-fatigue effect is stronger than that of ginseng.
• Improves function of megalocytes.
• Improves antigen.
• Inhibits the growth of cancer cells and leukemia of laboratory mice.
• Increases the rate of the formation of e-rosette of laboratory mice. 
• Ginsenosides characteristic of Panax ginseng are not found in the roots of ci wu jia.
• The extracts from the plant, taken orally, increased the ability to handle adverse physical conditions, improved mental performance, and enhanced the quality of work under stressful conditions.
• To avoid adjustment to the herb, it should be used for no longer than 60 consecutive days, followed by a period of 2-3 weeks of abstinence before using it again.
• According to School of Food and Nutrition of Bu Ren University in Taiwan (輔仁大學食品營養系), it improves the oxygen intake up to 8.2% on 20 athletes after taking 400mg per day of ci wu jia for 4 weeks. (9) dilates coronary arteries.

 Return to Index!

 


 Idaho Web Design Tools