Eleutherococcus senticosusas a dietary supplement

• DEFINITION: Natural plant product used as a dietary supplement for specific health benefits.
• PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Adaptogen, stress
• OTHER PROPOSED USES: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardiovascular health, chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive function, herpes, sports performance

Overview

Eleutherococcus senticosus is only distantly related to the true ginseng species (Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolius) and possesses entirely different, unrelated chemical constituents. However, it is popularly called Russian or Siberian ginseng. The origin of this misnomer lies in the work of a Soviet scientist, I. I. Brekhman, who believed that Eleutherococcus had the same properties as ginseng and popularized it as a less-expensive alternative herb.

According to Brekhman, Eleutherococcus and ginseng are both adaptogens. This term refers to a hypothetical treatment defined as follows: an adaptogen should help the body adapt to stresses of various kinds, whether heat, cold, exertion, trauma, sleep deprivation, toxic exposure, radiation, infection, or psychological stress. Furthermore, an adaptogen should cause no side effects, be effective in treating a wide variety of illnesses, and help return an organism toward balance regardless of what may have gone wrong.

Perhaps the only indisputable example of an adaptogen is a healthful lifestyle. By eating right, exercising regularly, and generally living a life of balance and moderation, one can increase physical fitness and the ability to resist illnesses of all types. Brekhman believed that both Eleutherococcus and ginseng produced similarly universal benefits. However, there is little to no meaningful evidence supporting this theory. (Herbs sold under the name “ciwujia” are likely to be Eleutherococcus.)

Uses and Applications

If Brekhman was right, ginseng (whether Eleutherococcus or Panax) should be the right treatment for most people. Modern life is tremendously stressful, and if an herb could help a person withstand stress, it would be a useful herb indeed. Eleutherococcus is widely used for this purpose in Russia and Eastern Europe, and it is popular elsewhere as well. However, there is little meaningful evidence to support this theory. Existing evidence on the supposed adaptogenic properties falls far beneath scientific standards.

Better-quality studies have evaluated the potential usefulness of Eleutherococcus for specific conditions. Most of these studies, however, have failed to find benefits. In the one unquestionably positive study, a six-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ninety-three men and women with recurrent herpes infections, treatment with Eleutherococcus (2 grams daily) reduced the frequency of outbreaks by approximately 50 percent.

Although Eleutherococcus is widely used as a sports supplement, evidence from studies is largely negative. For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of twenty athletes over an eight-week period found no improvement in physical performance. In addition, a small double-blind crossover trial found Eleutherococcus ineffective for improving performance in endurance exercise (prolonged cycling). Finally, in a small double-blind placebo-controlled trial of endurance athletes, the use of Eleutherococcus actually increased physiological signs of stress during intensive training.

One study failed to find Eleutherococcus helpful for chronic fatigue syndrome. Several double-blind studies enrolling about five hundred persons in total evaluated a proprietary combination therapy containing extracts of Eleutherococcus and the herb andrographis for the treatment of upper respiratory infections. The studies found benefits. In general, these studies reported that the use of the combination therapy may decrease both the severity and the duration of upper respiratory infections. However, it is not clear if the presence of Eleutherococcus adds any benefit beyond that of the andrographis constituent, which, taken alone, has shown efficacy in clinical trials.

Several other treatment indications for Eleutherococcus exist, and though most clinical studies have been done in Russia or Europe, research also began to emerge in the twenty-first century in the United States. In small studies, Eleutheroococcus has been shown to reduce the severity and length of colds and flu and strengthen the immune system by bolstering T-cells. A study published in 2022 found Eleutherococcus to be an effective treatment for insomnia due to its ability to regulate neurotransmitters in the brain. Studies also suggested that Eleutherococcus could reduce herpes outbreaks and improve memory, though more human clinical studies were necessary. Emerging studies in the twenty-first century have shown potential benefits for immune function, cognitive performance, and cardiovascular health. However, increased study through double-blind, placebo-controlled trials is necessary.

Dosage

The typical recommended daily dosage of Eleutherococcus is 2 to 3 grams of whole herb or 300 to 400 milligrams of extract daily.

Safety Issues

According to studies performed primarily in the former Soviet Union, Eleutherococcus appears to present a low order of toxicity in both the short and long term. Human trials have not resulted in any significant side effects, although some reported insomnia, headache, or anxiety. Safety in pregnant or nursing women, young children, and people with severe liver or kidney disease is not known.

One report suggests that Eleutherococcus may alter the results of a test for the medication digoxin. However, it is not clear if it was the Eleutherococcus or a contaminant (such as digoxin mixed with the herb) that caused these problems.

Important Interactions

Eleutherococcus may interfere with blood tests designed to measure digoxin levels. Certain blood thinners and diabetes drugs may also interact with Eleutherococcus.

Bibliography

Eschbach, L. F., et al. "The Effect of Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticosus) on Substrate Utilization and Performance." International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, vol. 10, 2000, pp. 444-451.

Gabrielian, E. S., et al. "A Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Andrographis paniculata Fixed Combination Kan Jang in the Treatment of Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Including Sinusitis." Phytomedicine, vol. 9, 2002, pp. 589-597.

Gaffney, B. T., H. M. Hugel, and P. A. Rich. "The Effects of Eleutherococcus Senticosus and Panax Ginseng on Steroidal Hormone Indices of Stress and Lymphocyte Subset Numbers in Endurance Athletes." Life Sciences, vol. 70, no. 4, 2001, pp. 431-442.

Hartz, A. J., et al. "Randomized Controlled Trial of Siberian Ginseng for Chronic Fatigue." Psychological Medicine, vol. 34, no. 1, 2004, pp. 51-61.

Liu, Hongda, et al. "Exploring Potential Mechanism of Ciwujia Tablets for Insomnia by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, Network Pharmacology, and Experimental Validation." Frontiers in Pharmacology, vol. 13, 2022, p. 990996, doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.990996. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

“Siberian Ginseng.” Drugs.com, 1 Jan. 2024, www.drugs.com/npp/eleutherococcus.html. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

“Siberian Ginseng.” Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/siberian-ginseng. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Spasov, A. A., et al. "Comparative Controlled Study of Andrographis Paniculata Fixed Combination, Kan Jang, and an Echinacea Preparation as Adjuvant, in the Treatment of Uncomplicated Respiratory Disease in Children." Phytotherapy Research, vol. 18, 2004, pp. 47-53.

White, Adrian. “What Are the Health Benefits of Eleuthero?” Healthline, 23 Sept. 2024, www.healthline.com/health/eleuthero. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Załuski, Daniel, et al. "Phytochemical Content and Pharma-Nutrition Study on Eleutherococcus Senticosus Fruits Intractum." Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2016, no. 1, 2016, p. 9270691, doi.org/10.1155/2016/9270691. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.