Siberian ginseng

Scientific Name(s): Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim
Common Name(s): Devil's shrub, Eleuthero, Eleutherococcus, Kan Jang, Shigoka, Siberian ginseng, Touch-me-not, Wild pepper

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 1, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Eleutherococcus is similar to common ginseng in its properties and alleged effects; however, documentation is limited. Extracts of the root have been used for a wide variety of therapeutic purposes and are said to have an adaptogenic effect. It exhibits cardiovascular as well as mood- and energy-enhancing effects.

Dosing

Doses of powdered root 1 to 4 g per day have been used in trials. Doses of E. senticosus extracts are recommended at less than 1 g/day. Limited trials have been conducted in elderly patients and in children.

Contraindications

Information is lacking. Patients in a compromised state, who are febrile, or have unstable cardiovascular or diabetic conditions should not use eleutherococcus.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy during pregnancy and lactation is lacking; however, because of a potential effect on developing myocytes, consider Siberian ginseng contraindicated during pregnancy.

Interactions

Interactions with digoxin and hexobarbital have been described. Mechanisms for interaction are not established.

Adverse Reactions

Few adverse reactions have been reported.

Toxicology

Use of eleutherococcus extract has been associated with little or no toxicity.

Scientific Family

• Araliaceae

Botany

E. senticosus belongs to the same family (Araliceae) as Panax ginseng and is synonymous with Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. ex Maxim.) Harms. The geographical distribution of eleutherococcus coincides with that of P. ginseng in forests of broadleaf trees, including spruce and cedar. It grows at elevations of up to 800 m or more above sea level. The plant is a shrub, commonly growing to a height of 2 to 3 m or, less commonly, 5 to 7 m. It has gray or grayish-brown bark, numerous thin thorns, and long-stalked and palmate leaves. Eleutherococcus has separate male and female plants with globular umbrella-shaped flowers. Male plants produce violet flowers, while female plants have yellowish flowers; the fruit are black, oval berries. Most commonly, the root is used in herbal medicine; however, the leaves and berries also produce pharmacologically active metabolites. Because it grows abundantly in areas such as Russia and China, eleutherococcus has become a popular substitute for Chinese ginseng.1, 2

History

Eleutherococcus has been used and studied extensively in Russia. It is used as a health food, tonic, and sedative in China and wider Asia, as well as in traditional Korean folk medicine as a tonic, an adaptogen, and to strengthen "qi" (life force).3, 4

As with its relative Chinese ginseng, root extracts of the plant have been promoted as "adaptogens," which aid the body in responding to external (eg, environmental) and internal (eg, disease) stress. The plant extract has been traditionally used to normalize high or low blood pressure, to stimulate the immune system, and to increase work capacity. Reputed effects include increasing body energy levels, protecting from motion sickness and against toxins, controlling alloxan-induced diabetes, reducing tumors, and controlling atherosclerosis.2, 5

Chemistry

The chemical composition of the roots and leaves varies with season. The roots contain the ...