Siberian Ginseng ~ Eleutherococcus senticosus

Siberian Ginseng

Latin name: Eleutherococcus senticosus

Family: Araliaceae

Part used: root bark, root

Habitat: E. Asia

Main constituents:

Energetics: bitter, neutral to sl. warming

Main herbal actions: adaptogen

Minor herbal actions: immunostimulatory (activates T lymphocytes), anticarcinogenic

Main medicinal uses: prolonged exhaustion and debility, acute kidney infections, chronic fatigue, immune dysfunction, hypotension, hypothyroid (Khalsa)

Minor medicinal uses: malignant arrhythmias, radiation recovery, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, bronchitis, circulatory problems, diabetes, infertility

Preparations: decoction: 1-2 tsp/cup water; 1:1 dry tincture: 20-60 gtt qd-qid, capsules: 1-15 grams qd (Khalsa)

Contraindications: high blood pressure; concurrent use of antibiotics

Toxicity: (in high acute doses) headaches, insomnia, heart palpitations, rise in blood pressure

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; http://www.geocities.com/nutriflip/Naturopathy/SiberianGinseng.html; http://www.herbalremedies.com/sibginhisand.html