Eleutherococcus Senticosus

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Eleutherococcus senticosus, also known as Siberian ginseng, has been used for centuries in China and Russia in treating a broad range of medical conditions. It is classified as adaptogen, which helps protect against physical and psychological stress. Siberian ginseng is available in standardized tinctures, pills and capsules in many health food stores.

Benefits of Eleutherococcus Senticosus

Strong scientific evidence supports the following health benefits of taking Siberian ginseng:

Increased Longevity

Lipid peroxidation, a destructive process in which free radicals steal electrons from the lipids, can damage the DNA and other types of cells in the body. This process negatively affects one’s health and is related to shorter lifespan.^[1] Interestingly, one study conducted in postmenopausal women who received 1500 mg of Siberian ginseng per day found a significant reduction in protein carbonyl content (indicator of longevity) of immune cells and less DNA damage.^[2] Less protein carbonyl means less cellular damage and is associated with longer life expectancy.

Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Ingestion of 1500 mg Siberian ginseng daily for 6 months is associated with a significant reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in postmenopausal women.^[2] In addition, healthy cholesterol levels may help lower one’s risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other fatal illnesses.

Improved Cognition

Siberian ginseng can also help boost cognitive function especially in the elderly. One study conducted in older persons (more than 65 years old) who were given 300 mg Siberian ginseng extract per day for 8 weeks, found a significant improvement in social functioning, quality of life, and some aspects of mental cognition after the treatment.^[3]

Improved Exercise Endurance

Taking Siberian ginseng can help boost athletic performance due to its anti-fatigue properties. When researchers administered 800 mg of Siberian ginseng in trained athletes for 8 weeks, subjects experienced improvements in time to exhaustion, suggesting that the treatment enhanced exercise endurance.^[4]

Healthy Immune System

One study noted that consumption of Siberian ginseng at 25 drops daily increased the production of immune cells such as lymphocytes and T-cells in healthy volunteers.^[5] These cells help combat infection and disease-causing microorganisms.    

Fights Inflammation

Siberian ginseng can be an effective alternative treatment option for inflammatory disorders and allergies. One study found that Siberian ginseng suppressed the production of inflammatory substances in the human nasal tissue.^[6] This clearly suggests that Siberian ginseng has anti-inflammatory properties that can be in par with anti-allergy medications.

Improved Symptoms of Herpes Infection

In a double-blind study involving 93 patients with herpes simplex virus type 2, which can cause genital herpes, researchers found that Siberian ginseng supplementation significantly reduced the number of outbreaks.^[7]

References:

1. Patel BP, Safdar A, Raha S, Tarnopolsky MA, Hamadeh MJ. Caloric Restriction Shortens Lifespan through an Increase in Lipid Peroxidation, Inflammation and Apoptosis in the G93A Mouse, an Animal Model of ALS. Andreu AL, ed. PLoS ONE. 2010;5(2):e9386. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009386.
2. Lee YJ, Chung HY, Kwak HK, Yoon S. The effects of A. senticosus supplementation on serum lipid profiles, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and lymphocyte DNA damage in postmenopausal women. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008;375(1):44-8.
3. Cicero AF, Derosa G, Brillante R, Bernardi R, Nascetti S, Gaddi A. Effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim.) on elderly quality of life: a randomized clinical trial. Arch Gerontol Geriatr Suppl. 2004;(9):69-73.
4. Kuo J, Chen KW, Cheng IS, Tsai PH, Lu YJ, Lee NY. The effect of eight weeks of supplementation with Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance capacity and metabolism in human. Chin J Physiol. 2010;53(2):105-11.
5. Szołomicki J, Samochowiec L, Wójcicki J, Droździk M, Szołomicki S. The influence of active components of Eleutherococcus senticosus on cellular defence and physical fitness in man. Phytother Res. 2000;14(1):30-5.
6. Nan Zhang, Koen Van Crombruggen, Gabriele Holtappels, and Claus Bachert, “A Herbal Composition of Scutellaria baicalensis and Eleutherococcus senticosus Shows Potent Anti-Inflammatory Effects in an Ex Vivo Human Mucosal Tissue Model,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2012, Article ID 673145, 9 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/673145.
7. Williams M. Immuno-protection against herpes simplex type II infection by Eleutherococcus root extract. Int J Alt Complement Med. 1995;13:9-12.