Traditional uses for eleuthero teas include improving mood and energy levels, promoting immunity and protecting against the negative effects of stress. Eleuthero is another name used to denote Eleutherococcus senticosus; a deciduous plant better known as Siberian ginseng.
Siberian ginseng should not be confused with its distant botanical relatives, Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng) and Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng). For many centuries, Oriental medicine practitioners have prescribed drinking eleuthero tea to improve overall health and quality of life.
This type of tea can be made by steeping Siberian ginseng roots in hot water. Bioactive molecules called eleutherosides are released and provide certain health benefits.



- Promotes physical performance & endurance
- Supports cognitive abilities & mood
- Boosts immune function & vitality
Eleuthero Tea
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Eleuthero tea usage in China may date back more than 2000 years. Soviet scientists began studying the medicinal effects of Siberian ginseng in the 1940s.
Since then, top-rated Russian and Siberian cosmonauts and athletes have used E. senticosus to enhance their mental and physical performance levels.
Eleuthero is classified as an adaptogen and a “Superior” herb in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine).
Although not recognized by Western medicine, adaptogens are substances from nature that provide a diverse set of health benefits. They are very rare. Of many thousands of plants known, only a few dozen are adaptogens. An adaptogen may be defined in three parts as follows:
- Adaptogens act non-specifically to strengthen resistance to chemical, biological and physical stress.
- Adaptogens do not disturb the normal functioning of the body.
- Adaptogens act versatilely to normalize whole-organism physiology.
People drink eleuthero tea in all developed countries now. Routine dietary supplementation with eleuthero is said to improve quality of life and elongate lifespan. Research continues in these areas.
Eleuthero Tea Health Benefits
Although Siberian ginseng is being studied for its therapeutic effects in various conditions and diseases, few of its uses have been validated to date.
According to the Natural Medicines database, Eleutherococcus senticosus is rated as “possibly effective” for the common cold, herpes simplex virus type 2 and bipolar disorder.
Eleuthero tea uses without sufficient clinical proof to validate include prevention and/or treatment for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), athletic performance, chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive performance, quality of life, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, ischemic stroke, heart disease, influenza and pneumonia.
Eleutherio Tea Recipe
Making eleuthero tea is a straightforward process. Start with fresh (or dried), organic Siberian ginseng root. Use a peeler or knife to shave the root into thin slices. Place about a tablespoon of these slices into a metal tea steeping ball.
Heat purified water in a medium sauce pan. When the water reaches boiling, turn off the heat. Pour a cupful of water and place the tea ball in it. Allow to steep for about five minutes until desired strength is obtained.
Enjoy with flavor enhancers like lemon, honey or cream. Many people also use black pepper extract (Piper nigrum) as an bioenhancer in their eleuthero teas.
Eleutherio Tea Side Effects and Safety
The following side effects and interaction warnings apply to Siberian ginseng as a substance; not necessarily in the form of tea.
Eleutherococcus senticosus is rated as “likely safe” for appropriate, oral usage in the short term. It is “possibly safe” in proper oral doses for long-term usage. It is “possibly safe” for use in teenagers for periods up to 6 weeks.
Eleuthero tea effects on pregnancy and lactation are not understood. Usage is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
This supplement is well tolerated and side effects are rare. Possible eleuthero tea side effects include drowsiness, anxiety, changes in heart rate, hypertension (high blood pressure), sadness and/or spasms in the muscles.
Eleutherio Tea Contraindications
Those with bleeding disorders might increase risks for bruising and bleeding by using eleuthero teas or supplements. Eleuthero can also cause “pounding” heartbeats. If you have any cardiovascular condition, then get your cardiologist’s permission to use Siberian ginseng.
Those with prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) or diabetes mellitus should drink eleuthero teas cautiously. Certain eleutherosides constituents in Siberian ginseng may elevate or lower blood glucose levels. Check your levels often and watch for symptoms of hyper-or-hypoglycemia.
Those with breast, ovarian, uterine or other hormone-sensitive cancer should use caution if drinking eleuthero tea. Siberian ginseng bioactives can act like estrogen inside the body.
Do not use eleuthero teas if you have schizophrenia, mania or hypertension. It can make these conditions worse.
Use eleuthero tea cautiously with medications and/or herbal supplements with antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticoagulant, immunosuppressant, P-glycoprotein substrate, cytochrome P450 substrate, lithium, estrogen, antiplatelet and/or CNS depressant potentials.
Conclusions
Drinking eleuthero tea on a routine basis has been used for many centuries to prevent and treat numerous health maladies. Usage is considered safe and presents no adverse effects in most healthy teenagers and adults.
The full therapeutic potential of Eleutherococcus senticosus are still being explored clinically. Like all adaptogenic substances, Siberian ginseng has potential to affect various body systems simultaneously.
It is recommended that you take periodic breaks from eleuthero tea supplementation. Usage can safely resume after 2-3 weeks.
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment