Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) | Supplementopedia

Overview

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), commonly called Siberian ginseng, is a woody, deciduous shrub native to the Siberian taiga. Its root and stem bark contain a unique blend of phenylpropanoid glycosides (“eleutherosides”), lignans, and polysaccharides that give it adaptogenic properties—meaning it helps the body maintain homeostasis under physical, mental, or environmental stress. The herb is primarily used as a non‑stimulant adaptogen to support stamina, mental clarity, and immune resilience.

Benefits

Cognitive support: Randomized trials show modest improvements in working memory and attention after 4–8 weeks of 300–600 mg/day of standardized extract (≥0.8 % eleutherosides).
Physical endurance: Controlled trials in athletes and military personnel report reduced perceived exertion and faster recovery when 400–800 mg/day is taken before exercise.
Metabolic & stress modulation: Meta‑analyses indicate that Eleuthero lowers cortisol and improves glucose tolerance in modestly stressed adults, likely through HPA‑axis regulation.
Immune function: In vitro and human studies show increased NK‑cell activity and higher serum IgA after 2–4 weeks of 600 mg/day, supporting resistance to infections.
Fatigue & mood: A 12‑week trial in cancer‑related fatigue reported a 30 % reduction in fatigue scores at 600 mg/day versus placebo, without severe side effects.

How It Works

Adaptogenic modulation: Eleuthero’s bioactivity originates from its major phenylpropanoid glycosides (eleutherosides A, B, E) and lignan syringin. These compounds act as adaptogenic modulators of the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑adrenal (HPA) axis, attenuating excessive cortisol release while enhancing basal cortisol production during low‑stress periods.
Cellular pathways: At the cellular level, eleutherosides activate the PI3K‑Akt and MAPK pathways, leading to increased mitochondrial ATP production and enhanced nitric‑oxide‑mediated vasodilation, which underlies improved stamina.
Immune stimulation: The polysaccharide fraction stimulates Toll‑like‑receptor 2/4 signaling, promoting NK‑cell cytotoxicity and cytokine release (e.g., IFN‑γ).
Anti-fatigue and mood enhancement: Additionally, Eleuthero inhibits phosphodiesterase‑4, raising intracellular cAMP, which contributes to anti‑fatigue and mood‑enhancing effects.
Combined actions: The combined actions produce a balanced stress response, improved energy metabolism, and modest immunostimulation.

Dosage

Standardized extract (≥0.8 % eleutherosides): 300 mg × 1‑2 times daily for general adaptogenic support.
Performance or fatigue: 600 mg × 2 daily (morning and early afternoon) for 4–12 weeks.
Cognitive focus: 400 mg taken 30 min before mentally demanding tasks.
Immune support: 600 mg once daily for 6–8 weeks during high‑stress periods.
Special populations: Elderly or individuals with low blood pressure should start at 150 mg/day and titrate upward.
Timing: Split doses avoid potential insomnia; avoid dosing within 2 h of bedtime.
Duration: Most studies use 4‑12 weeks; long‑term (>6 months) use is not well‑studied and should be monitored.

Safety & Side Effects

General tolerance: Eleuthero is generally well‑tolerated.
Common side effects: Common, mild adverse events (≤5 % of users) include gastrointestinal upset, mild insomnia, and headache.
Rare side effects: Rarely, it may raise blood pressure or cause heart palpitations, especially at >1 g/day.
Contraindications: Contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, and children <12 y. Avoid in patients with hyperthyroidism, hypertension, or autoimmune disease without physician oversight.
Drug interactions: It may augment anticoagulants (warfarin, clopidogrel) and antiplatelet agents; it can potentiate stimulants (caffeine, ephedra) and may reduce the efficacy of immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine) by enhancing immune activity.
Monitoring: Periodic liver function testing is advised for high‑dose (>1 g/day) or prolonged use.
Discontinuation: Discontinue if severe headache, palpitations, or hypertension develop.

Chemistry

Principal bioactive constituents: The principal bioactive constituents are phenylpropanoid glycosides.
Eleutheroside B: Eleutheroside B (C₁₄H₂₂O₁₀, IUPAC: (4‑hydroxy‑3‑methoxyphenyl)‑2‑hydroxy‑propyl‑β‑D‑glucopyranoside)
Eleutheroside A: Eleutheroside A (C₁₅H₂₄O₁₁, IUPAC: 4‑hydroxy‑3‑methoxy‑phenyl‑β‑D‑glucopyranosyl‑2‑hydroxy‑propanoate)
Eleutheroside E: Eleutheroside E (C₁₆H₂₆O₁₂, a methyl ester of eleutheroside B)
Key structural features: Key structural features include a phenolic aromatic ring, a methoxy substituent, and a β‑D‑glucose moiety, which confer both antioxidant capacity and affinity for metabolic enzymes.
Lignans: Lignans such as syringin (C₁₇H₂₄O₉) contribute additional antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory activity.
Polysaccharide fraction: The polysaccharide fraction (≈30 % of dry root) comprises glucose, galactose, and rhamnose units, responsible for immunomodulatory effects.
Standardization: Standardized extracts are quantified by HPLC against eleutheroside B/E standards to ensure potency.

Sources & Quality

Harvesting: Eleuthero is harvested from mature roots (3–5 years old) of E. senticosus grown in the Russian Far East, China’s Liaoning province, and parts of Korea.
Wild-harvesting: Wild‑harvested material is increasingly regulated to protect over‑exploitation; most commercial supplements use cultivated, GMP‑certified farms.
Extraction: Extraction typically employs 70 % ethanol or water‑ethanol blends under controlled temperature (45‑55 °C) to preserve glycosides, followed by spray‑drying to produce a powder.
Standardization: Standardization to ≥0.8 % eleutherosides is achieved via liquid‑chromatography.
Quality control: High‑quality products are certified by USP, NSF, or European Pharmacopeia; they are tested for heavy metals, pesticide residues, and microbial load.
Label verification: Look for “standardized to 0.8 % eleutherosides” on the label, and verify that the raw material originates from certified, sustainable farms to ensure consistent potency and safety.