Siberian Ginseng: The Adaptogen for Astronauts, Athletes, and Anyone Under Stress

Botanical Name: Eleutherococcus senticosus Family: Araliaceae Other Common Names: Devil’s bush, devil’s shrub, touch-me-not, wild pepper, kan jang, Acanthopanax senticosus, ciwujia, eleuthero, shigoka, or Ussurian thorny pepperbush 1) 2) 3) Parts Used: Rhizome or root, leaves may also have medical benefit but are not regularly used 4) Actions: Adaptogen, tonic, chemoprotective, cardiac tonic, bitter 5) Taste: Pungent, slightly bitter Plant Uses: Adaptogen, anti-fatigue, increased mental alertness, anti-inflammatory, enhanced athletic performance Plant Preparations: Powdered, tincture, tea Toxicities/Warnings: Not for use in children, pregnant women, or in high doses. Caution is advised for use if you have bleeding disorders, excessive nervousness, diabetes, hypoglycemia, or blood pressure disorders. May increase light reactivity and alter the impacts of alcohol, ACE inhibitors, anti-depressants, sedatives, anti-allergy agents, stimulants, and sleep aids. 6) For extended use, cycling may be needed, such as using for 6 weeks and then taking 2 weeks off. 7) Image from Wiki Commons Introduction Eleutherococcus senticosus, commonly called Siberian ginseng, is not a true relative of American or Panax ginseng. They do belong to the same plant family, Araliaceae . However, they evolved separately and are generally not considered to be related in any meaningful way. In fact, to avoid confusion between the overharvested true ginseng, many herbalists use the term “eleuthero” instead of “Siberian ginseng.” This plant’s scientific name, Eleutherococcus senticosus , comes from a Greek word meaning “free-berried” and from a Latin word meaning “thorny.” 8) The facts that it often grows in dense thickets in areas where other plants struggle and that it has bristles on the stems and branches have also earned it nicknames like the devil’s shrub, devil’s bush, and touch-me-not. Although Siberian ginseng is not related to true ginseng, it owes its rise in popularity to the more popular plant. When researchers began looking for an […]

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