Siberian Ginseng: Eleutherococcus senticosus Rupr. Ex Maxim 1:3 45%

Eleuthroccocus senticosus, Acanthopanax senticosus

Common name: Siberian Ginseng

Family: Araliaceae

Part used: Root
Harvesting, habitat and cultivation: Native to Korea, China, Japan and eastern Russia. The root is harvested in the spring or autumn

History/folklore/taste/energetics: Slightly sweet, woody. Warming and drying and therefore good for cold and damp and phlegm.Constituents Eleutherosides, 0.6-0.9%, Phenylpropanoids, Lignans, Coumarins, Sugars, Polysaccharides, Triperpenoid saponins, Glycans

Actions: Adaptogen, Immune modulating, Tonic, Stimulant

Siberian ginseng is a classic adaptogen, modulating the body’s stress response systems.

Normalizes and enhances resilience of the HPA axis (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis)

Modulates cortisol levels in response to stress

Increases non-specific resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stressors

2. Immune-Modulating Effects

Enhances T-cell and NK-cell activity

Increases production of interferon and other immune mediators

Improves resistance to upper respiratory infections in some studies

3. Cognitive and Performance Effects

Enhances mental performance, focus, and stamina

May increase ATP production and improve exercise endurance

4. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Eleutherosides and other lignans reduce oxidative stress

Inhibition of inflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-α)

5. Metabolic Effects

Mild modulation of blood glucose levels

Slight improvement in circulatory efficiency

Traditional and current uses:

To enhance immune function
Improves both mental and physical performance
Treats stress – both occupational and environmental; it helps the body deal better. Useful for healthy individuals undergoing extra stress, those with chronic illness and those convalescing (recovery from antibiotic use)
Adjunct in cancer therapy for immune function and side effects of conventional treatment
Exhaustion, nervous and adrenal
Insomnia
Low mood and mild depression
Chronic inflammatory conditions
Sensitivity to cold, better as a winter remedy according to Matthew Wood
Useful for pets exposed to toxic chemicals and radiation

 Side effects are not likely at normal doses.