Eleuthero root is an adaptogenic herb in the ginseng family that is used to boost energy levels, enhance stamina, promote overall health and increase athletic performance.
It has been used as a natural medicine in China, Korea and Russia for many hundreds of years.
In the 1960’s, researchers in Russia began studying this root to determine the active constituents in the plant that provided the purported benefits.
As an adaptogen, Eleuthero is believed to improve the body’s ability to adapt and tolerate stress. In fact, the name “adaptogen” was coined by the Soviet scientist N.V. Lazarev in 1947 to describe the effects of Eleuthero root extract. This term was given to substances that increased “non-specific resistance of an organism to adverse influence.”
Eleuthero remains a staple of natural medicine today and continues to be the subject of research trials. While some of the claims made about the benefits of this herb have been substantiated, others have not and remain largely the subject matter of folklore traditions.



- Promotes physical performance & endurance
- Supports cognitive abilities & mood
- Boosts immune function & vitality
What is Eleuthero?
Related Topics
Eleuthero, also referred to as Siberian Ginseng, is a shrub that can be found in Asia, specifically in Siberia, China, Korea and Japan.
It is a member of the Araliaceae family of plants alongside American Ginseng and Panax Ginseng.
While Eleuthero naturally occurs in climates of Asia, it can easily be grown to other climates as well.
Eleuthero is also commonly referred to as the devil’s shrub, devil’s root and touch-me-not. The scientific terms used for Eleuthero are Eleutherococcus senticosus and Acanthopanax senticosus.
The Eleuthero shrub was referred to as Siberian Ginseng in the United States until 2002, when legislation was passed to ban the use of the label “Ginseng”. Although it is a distant relative of Ginseng, it does not belong to the same group of herbs.
Thus, the new name change reflects the plant’s genus name closely and distinguishes it from Ginseng.
Eleuthero Root Uses
The dried roots of the Eleuthero shrub are used in a variety of natural herbal remedies, medicines, and supplements. Eleuthero is believed by some to be a natural remedy for a number of health issues.
Eleutheroside, a naturally occurring compound found in Eleuthero, is believed to behave similarly to some hormones such as estrogen and steroids. These may increase energy levels; however, there is not currently enough scientific evidence to make this conclusion.https://nootriment.com/panax-ginseng/
While some consider Eleuthero an energy booster, others do not. Many claim that Eleuthero improves athletic performance; however, there is insufficient evidence to definitely prove this claim. In research trials, many participants do not notice any athletic improvement and some studies suggest the shrub’s effect on performance may be due to placebo effects.
Benefits Attributed to Eleuthero
In addition to its use for boosting energy levels, Eleuthero is believed to support the immune system, increase concentration, speed up recovery after illness, regulate blood pressure, decrease inflammation and revitalize various organs.
Eleuthero is also thought to increase appetite important for recovery after treatments such as chemotherapy. Some regular users of Eleuthero report increased libido after taking it for an extended period of time.
Eleuthero is also commonly used for heart conditions, insomnia, Bipolar disorder, herpes related complications, the flu, colds, coughs, Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, kidney disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, arthritis, bronchitis, chronic fatigue syndrome and as a treatment for side effects of chemotherapy. The shrub may also be added to manufacture skin care products for overall healthy skin.
Eleuthero is sometimes used as a substitute for Panax Ginseng root, which causes some individuals’ nervous to become over-stimulated. Eleuthero is considered to be less potent than its Ginseng root relative.
Eleuthero Side Effects
Eleuthero side effects are generally mild; it is rare for serious side effects to occur when taken appropriately.
Mild headache, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, muscle spasms, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, low blood sugar and nervousness have been reported by some users.
Additionally, Eleuthero may affect blood clotting. It should not be used before surgery or while taking medications that affect blood clotting, such as Warfarin.
Eleuthero is known to affect blood sugar levels. Individuals with diabetes or related disorders should consult with their doctors before deciding to use Eleuthero. It may also cause low blood pressure in some individuals.
Those with conditions that can affect blood pressure or a history of hypotension should also consult with a doctor before using.
Eleuthero is considered to behave similarly to hormones such as Estrogen; therefore, individuals with sensitivities to this hormone should avoid using it. Sensitivities to Eleuthero may be found in individuals with endometriosis, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids and uterine cancer.
Eleuthero may interact with some medications, possibly resulting in serious side effects. You should avoid using Eleuthero, or talk to your doctor before using, if you take the following medications: Lithium, Diazepam, Warfarin, Dilantin, and Celebrex, drugs that are altered by the liver, diabetic medications, anticoagulants and sedatives.
How to Use Eleuthero Supplements
Eleuthero is available in many forms: tablets, capsules, liquids and tinctures. Some use dried Eleuthero roots or powdered forms in brewing herbal teas. When the root is dried and added to tea, it has a pungent but sweet taste.
The average dose is 2 to 3 grams per day and is taken for up to 8 weeks, with the average length of use being between 6 and 8 weeks. Other suggested dosages include 30 drops of tincture three times per day and 500mg of powdered extract two to three times per day.
There is not enough evidence on long-term use of this supplement to determine whether it is safe for a duration of greater than 8 weeks. Your doctor can help you determine the right dosage for you.
Article last updated on: April 15th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Wonderfully robust site and basis of association. I look forward to the learning and sharing…. Thanks.