Eleuthero
Scientific names: Eleutherococcus senticosus, Acanthopanax senticosus, Hedera senticosa
Family: Araliaceae
Alternate names: Acanthopanax Obovatus, Acanthopanax Obovatus Hoo, Buisson du Diable, Ci Wu Jia, Ciwujia, Ciwujia Root, Ciwujia Root Extract, Devil's Bush, Devil's Shrub, Éleuthéro, Eleuthero Extract, Eleuthero Ginseng, Eleuthero Root, Eleutherococci Radix, Eleutherococcus, Éleuthérocoque, Ginseng, Ginseng de Sibérie, Ginseng des Russes, Ginseng Root, Ginseng Siberiano, Ginseng Sibérien, North Wu Jia Pi, Phytoestrogen, Plante Secrète des Russes, Poivre Sauvage, Prickly Eleutherococcus, Racine d'Eleuthérocoque, Racine de Ginseng, Racine Russe, Russian Root, Shigoka, Siberian Eleuthero, Siberian Ginseng, Eleuthero, Thorny Bearer of Free Berries, Touch-Me-Not, Untouchable, Ussuri, Ussurian Thorny Pepperbrush, Wild Pepper, Wu Jia Pi, Wu-jia
Actions: Adaptogenic mechanism, Antiarthritic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifatigue, Antihypoxia, Anti-inflammatory, Antineoplastic, Antioxidant, Antishock, Antistress, Antiulcer, Antiviral, Bone, Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Exercise performance enhancement, Energy metabolism, Gastrointestinal, Hair loss, Hematologic, Hepatoprotective, Immunological, Lipid, Neuroprotective, Nutrition, Radioprotective, Sedative, Toxin protective
Background
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a woody shrub sometimes called Siberian ginseng. It is not a true ginseng. It is sometimes used as an adaptogen.
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.
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
When taken by mouth: Eleuthero is likely safe when used for up to 3 months. Eleuthero is usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include diarrhea, stomach upset, and headache. There isn't enough reliable information to know if eleuthero is safe to use for longer than 3 months.
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.
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
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Genital herpes. Taking a specific eleuthero extract (Elagen) by mouth might help reduce genital herpes outbreaks.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of eleuthero might be. It's often used in combination with other herbs such as Andrographis and Echinacea. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
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 lower blood sugar: Eleuthero might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
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.
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
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all products
Per capsule:
- 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
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
Practitioner product
Per capsule:
- 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
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) ext. 67 mg equiv. syringaresinol diglucoside 533 μg
- Withania somnifera ext. 300 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 25 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 54.5 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 50 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 19 mg equiv. pyridoxine 12 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 74 mg equiv. vitamin E 90 IU
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 31 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 75 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra deglycyrrhizinised ext. 55 mg
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) ext. 50 mg equiv. eleutherosides 400 µg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 2.24 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 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
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 148.7 mg equiv. levocarnitine 100 mg
- 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
Practitioner product
Practitioner product
Per capsule:
- 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
- Withania somnifera ext. 80 mg
- Rehmannia glutinosa ext. 50 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 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
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
- 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
RRP: $85.95$63.60Save: 26%
Per 5 mL:
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) ext. 250 mg
- Astragalus membranaceus ext. 720 mg
- Ligustrum lucidum ext. 425 mg
- Codonopsis pilosula ext. 285 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum ext. 285 mg
- Atractylodes macrocephala ext. 285 mg
- Schisandra chinensis ext. 175 mg
- Glycyrrhiza uralensis ext. 18.75 mg
- Ethanol
- Glycerol
- Mentha spicata (oil)
- Water
RRP: $57.95$42.88Save: 26%
Practitioner product
RRP: $70.00$63.00Save: 10%
Just sold out - back soon
Practitioner product
RRP: $48.95$33.29Save: 32%
RRP: $55.95$38.04Save: 32%
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 18/09/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 14/03/2022 07:41:12. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
