Background
Eleuthero is often considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens are a class of substances that are believed to stimulate the body's resistance to physical, environmental, and emotional stressors. Eleuthero contains many chemicals that affect the brain, immune system, and certain hormones.
People use eleuthero for genital herpes, diabetes, athletic performance, memory and thinking skills, the common cold, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Don't confuse eleuthero with other herbs called "ginseng," including American Ginseng, Blue Cohosh, Canaigre, Codonopsis, Panax Ginseng, and Panax Notoginseng. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if eleuthero is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: Eleuthero is possibly safe in teenagers (ages 12-17 years) when taken by mouth for up to 6 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use long-term or in young children.
Heart conditions: Eleuthero might cause a pounding heart, irregular heartbeat, or high blood pressure in people who have heart disorders. If you have a heart condition, only use eleuthero under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Eleuthero might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use eleuthero.
Effectiveness
- Genital herpes. Taking a specific eleuthero extract (Elagen) by mouth might help reduce genital herpes outbreaks.
Dosing & administration
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
There is some concern that eleuthero might increase levels of digoxin. This could increase the effects and side effects of digoxin. If you are taking digoxin, speak with a healthcare provider before taking eleuthero.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Eleuthero might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Eleuthero might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Eleuthero might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Eleuthero might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Eleuthero might lower blood sugar levels. Taking eleuthero along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications moved by pumps in cells (Organic anion-transporting polypeptide substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Eleuthero might change how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the body. In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a medication.
Medications moved by pumps in cells (P-glycoprotein substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Eleuthero might change how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the body. In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a medication.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Eleuthero can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking eleuthero along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Eleuthero might slow blood clotting. Taking eleuthero along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Eleuthero might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
Products
View all products- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) ext. 133.33 mg equiv. eleutherosides 1.07 mg
- Rhodiola rosea ext. 93.75 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra ext. 38.46 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 3.5 mg equiv. pyridoxine 2.4 mg
- L-phenylalanine 100 mg
- L-tyrosine 400 mg
- Selenomethionine 75 μg equiv. selenium 30 μg
- Theobroma cacao ext. 66.67 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) ext. 116.67 mg equiv. syringaresinol diglucoside 934 μg
- Panax ginseng ext. 18 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 150 mg
- Panax quinquefolius ext. 12 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum ext. 3.75 mg
- L-phenylalanine 75 mg
- L-tyrosine 75 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 55 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 50 mg equiv. calcium 4.6 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Nicotinic acid (Vitamin B3) 5 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 6.74 mg equiv. pyridoxine 4.3 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 69.5 μg equiv. folinic acid 50 μg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 5 μg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) ext. 50 mg equiv. eleutherosides 400 µg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 2.54 mg equiv. thiamine 2 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 20 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 9.83 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 9 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 3.14 mg equiv. pyridoxine 2 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 60 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E) 7.35 mg equiv. vitamin E 10 IU equiv. d-alpha-tocopherol 6.71 mg
- Biotin 80 µg
- Inositol 50 mg
- Quercetin 50 mg
- Potassium sulphate 78 mg equiv. potassium 35 mg
- Zinc glycinate monohydrate 10.64 mg equiv. zinc 3 mg
- Manganese (II) glycinate 3.695 mg equiv. manganese 1 mg
- Potassium iodide 91.8 µg equiv. iodine 70 µg
- Selenomethionine 50 µg equiv. selenium 20 µg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 90 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 50 µg
- L-tyrosine 10 mg
- Lysine hydrochloride 12.5 mg equiv. lysine 10 mg
- L-serine 5 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica ext. 37.5 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 25 mg
- Zingiber officinale ext. 10 mg
- Capsicum annuum ext. 8.33 mg
- Piper nigrum ext. 16 µg
- Levocarnitine fumarate (L-carnitine) 178.6 mg equiv. levocarnitine 100 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) ext. 40 mg equiv. syringaresinol diglucoside 320 μg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 40 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 9.35 mg equiv. zinc 3 mg
- Rehmannia glutinosa ext. 50 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 80 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 10 mg equiv. thiamine 8.9 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 10 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 75 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 68.7 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 15 mg equiv. pyridoxine 12.3 mg
- Magnesium phosphate pentahydrate 48.4 mg equiv. magnesium 10 mg
- Potassium iodide 98 μg equiv. iodine 75 μg
- Chromium nicotinate 133.3 μg equiv. chromium 16 μg
- Selenomethionine 37.5 μg equiv. selenium 15 μg
- L-tyrosine 200 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) ext. 33.33 mg equiv. eleutheroside B&E 267 μg
- Astragalus membranaceus ext. 200 mg
- Codonopsis pilosula ext. 150 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum ext. 75 mg
- Ligustrum lucidum ext. 87.5 mg
- Schisandra chinensis ext. 50 mg
- Atractylodes macrocephala ext. 150 mg
- Glycyrrhiza uralensis ext. 20 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) ext. 133.3 mg
- Tribulus terrestris ext. 20 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 61.7 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 50 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 75 mg
- Calcium pantothenate 81.9 mg equiv. calcium 6.9 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 75 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 60.8 mg equiv. pyridoxine 50 mg
- Folic acid 100 μg
- Levomefolate calcium (Activated folate) 124 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 100 μg
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 μg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 100 mg
- Cholecalciferol 25 μg equiv. vitamin D3 1000 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 10.5 mg equiv. vitamin E 12.7 IU
- Biotin 250 μg
- Inositol 50 mg
- Alpha lipoic acid 30 mg
- Lycopene 1 mg
- Calcium citrate tetrahydrate 99.53 mg equiv. calcium 21 mg
- Chromium picolinate 199.5 μg equiv. chromium 24.8 μg
- Copper gluconate 7.14 mg equiv. copper 1 mg
- Iron amino acid chelate 30 mg equiv. iron 3 mg
- Magnesium citrate 154.7 mg equiv. magnesium 25 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 1.54 mg equiv. manganese 500 μg
- Potassium phosphate monobasic 24.5 mg equiv. potassium 7 mg
- Potassium iodide 50 μg equiv. iodine 38 μg
- Selenomethionine 186.3 μg equiv. selenium 75 μg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 50 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Tribulus terrestris ext. 20 mg
- Turnera diffusa ext. 50 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 20 mg