Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)

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.

• 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.

• 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.