Siberian Ginseng

Common Name: Siberian Ginseng, Eleuthro

Pinyin Name: Ci Wu Jia

Botanical Name: Eleutherococcus senticosus, Acanthopanacis senticosus

Part Used: Root, Root Bark, Stems

Properties: Warm, Slightly Bitter, Acrid

Constituents: eleutherosides (glycosides and other compounds), essential oil, resin, starch Vitamin A, polysaccharides

Channels entered: Heart, Kidney, Spleen

Primary Actions

Western view: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating, anti-stress, anti-ulcer, anticancer, neuro-protective, hepato-protective

Growing & Harvesting

Growing eleuthro is a difficult and slow process as it takes two years to germinate. It originates from the frigid mountains of northern regions of Russia an Asia and will only grow as a perennial in zones 5-7. After three years growth it can be harvested and can then be used medicinally.

Culinary Uses

Eleuthro does not taste bad and can easily be implemented in food and drink. A muslin pouch filled with eleuthro is often added to savory bone broths to strengthen the immune system, improve physical stamina, resolve wasting syndromes in the elderly, and reverse the failure to thrive in children. I is also often infused in wine and taken as a tonic or decocted in to a tea.-dosage: 1 T. 3 x daily.

Medicinal Uses

Emotional Disorders

As what is referred to as an adaptogenic herb, eleuthro helps to smooth out the nervous system so that individuals do not over-react to stress. Studies suggest that the stress–modulating effect is related to the regulation of key mediators of the stress response and support of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Many scientific studies have demonstrated the profound affect the eleuthro has on the brain as it normalizes synaptic interfacing with neurotransmitters. It is specifically used for nervous and mood disorders such as depression, mental fatigue, and poor concentration. The many neuro-protective and antidepressant abilities of eleuthro are due to the fact that it protects neurons from corticosterone-induced cytotoxicity and protects against lowering of natural killer cell. Additionally, eleuthero mitigates the decline of serotonin and other neurotransmitters and support the recovery following physical, emotional, and mental stress. It also modulates neurotransmitters in the brain such as noradrenaline and dopamine and their related metabolites.

Insomnia and Sleeping Disruptions

In traditional Chinese medicine, eleuthro “Calms the Shen” and promote restful dreamless sleep in individuals who are often woken in the night with disturbing dreams. This use is further supported and explained by recent scientific studies.

Immune Support

Eleuthro is also prized for its ability to fortify the immune system. This effect is largely due to carbohydrates called polysaccharides which are also responsible for the anti-cancer proliferation qualities of the herb. Additionally, a chemical constituent specific to eleuthro named ciwujianoside is a mast cell stabilizers that reduces histamine release provoked by immunoglobulins thus reducing inflammation related to immune system imbalances.

Eleuthero’s stimulatory activities protect our bodies from environmental toxins as demonstrated by granulocyte and carbon clearance tests and have been shown to protect against pathogens and toxins. . Eleuthero has also been shown to significantly increase the number of immune-competent cells, particularly T helper lymphocytes, as well as cytotoxic and natural killer cells. It is thought that Eleuthero further impacts the immune system by helping to protect the body from immunosuppressive and toxic compounds.

Stamina & Energy

Eleuthro has long been used by athletes to increase stamina and decrease recovery time and is suggested that its anti-oxidant qualities contribute to anti-fatigue effects. Studies show that eleuthero improves stamina by enabling skeletal muscle to better use lipids and spare glycogen, thereby reducing lactic acid buildup and increasing oxygen saturation and blood glucose and free fatty acid availability in situations of heavy exertion, improving lipid utilization and boosting cardiovascular metabolism. Further insight shows that eleuthro supports the lowering of lactatic acid and blood urea nitrogen thus protecting the muscles from damage following intense physical exertion; this allows for speedy recovery times from intense exercise for athletes. Eleutherococcus are based on its antioxidant mechanisms, providing protection from numerous cytokines and inflammatory mediators

Pain Syndromes

In traditional Chinese medicine Wu Jia Pi is considered a warm herb that treats Kidney and Spleen Yang deficiencies resulting in fatigue, sore back and knees, or heavy aching muscles.

Liver Health

Recent studies have shown that eleuthro protects against hypertension, and hepatitis, both related to Liver health in Chinese medicine.

Aging

Because eleuthro has demonstrated numerous neuroprotective properties via anti-inflammatory effects while preventing neuritic plaque deposits, atrophy, and synaptic loss in the brain; therefore, it is valued for protecting memory during aging and preventing dementia.

Contra-indications: None known

References:

Chen, J. K. and Chen, T. T. (2003) Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. Art of Medicine Press. Pages 930-934.

Bensky, D., Gamble, A. (1986) Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press. Pages 331-332

Wang, Y., Sheir,W., OnoM. Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing. (2010) Da Capo Press 

Huang LZ1, Huang BK, Liang J, Zheng CJ, Han T, Zhang QY, Qin LP.. Antifatigue activity of the liposoluble fraction from Acanthopanax senticosus. Phytotherapy Research. 2011 Jun;25(6):940-3..

Alexander Panossian,1,* Georg Wikman,1 Punit Kaur,2 and Alexzander Asea2,* Adaptogens Stimulate Neuropeptide Y and Hsp72 Expression and Release in Neuroglia Cells. Frontiers Neuroscience. 2012; 6: 6.

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Chen, J. K. and Chen, T. T. (2003) Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. Art of Medicine Press. Pages 930-934.

Bensky, D., Gamble, A. (1986) Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press. Pages 331-332

Wang, Y., Sheir,W., OnoM. Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing. (2010) Da Capo Press 

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2008;33(23):2800–2. Determination of eleutheroside B in antifatigue fraction of Acanthopanax senticosus by HPLC. Li C, Wang XY, Hu XW, et al. 5

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Horm Metab Res. 2007;39(12):894–8. Increase of beta-endorphin secretion by syringin, an active principle of Eleutherococcus senticosus, to produce antihyperglycemic action in type 1-like diabetic rats. Niu HS, Hsu FL, Liu IM, et al. 7

Phytother Res. 2011;25(6):940–3. Antifatigue activity of the liposoluble fraction from Acanthopanax senticosus. Huang LZ, Huang BK, Liang J, et al. 8

Chin J Physiol. 2010;53(2):105–11. The effect of eight weeks of supplementation with Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance capacity and metabolism in human. Kuo J, Chen KW, Cheng IS, et al. 9

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1998;27(6):421–4. Effect of Ciwujia (Radix Acanthopanacis senticosus) preparation on exercise performance under constant endurance load for elderly. Wu Y, Wang X, Li M, et al. 10

J Pharm Sci. 1992;81(7):661–2. Ciwujianosides D1 and C1: Powerful inhibitors of histamine release induced by anti-immunoglobulin E from rat peritoneal mast cells. Umeyama A, Shoji N, Takei M, et al. 13

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Toxicol In Vitro. 2007;21(8):1530–7. (+)-Syringaresinol-di-O-beta-D-glucoside, a phenolic compound from Acanthopanax senticosus Harms, suppresses proinflammatory mediators in SW982 human synovial sarcoma cells by inhibiting activating protein-1 and/or nuclear factor-kappaB activities. Yamazaki T, Shimosaka S, Sasaki H, et al. 26

J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;pii:S0378-8741(15)00061-6. Cerebral potential biomarkers discovery and metabolic pathways analysis of α-synucleinopathies and the dual effects of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms on central nervous system through metabolomics analysis. Zhang SN, Xu-Zhao L, Fang L, et al. 27

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Phytother Res. 2001;15(3):268–70. The synthesis of Rantes, G-CSF, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-13 in human whole-blood cultures is modulated by an extract from Eleutherococcus senticosus L. roots. Schmolz MW, Sacher F, Aicher B. 31

Arzneimittelforschung. 1987;37(10):1193–6. Flow-cytometric studies with Eleutherococcus senticosus extract as an immunomodulatory agent. Bohn B, Nebe CT, Birr C. 32

J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2014;77(21):1311–8. Effect of Acanthopanax senticosus on the accumulation of cadmium and on the immune response of spleen cells. Smalinskiene A, Savickiene N, Zitkevicius V, et al. 33 Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1984;5(4):278–81. Effect of aqueous extracts of Acanthopanax senticosus on parathion toxicity in mice. Ferguson PW, Medon PJ, Watson CF. 34

J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;118(3):495–502. Protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus extract against endotoxic shock in mice. Lin QY, Jin LJ, Cao ZH, et al. 35

J Ethnopharmacol. 2007;114(1):38–43. Effect of Acanthopanax senticosus on 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of exercised rats. Rhim YT, Kim H, Yoon SJ, et al. 36

Phytother Res. 2002;16(5):474–8. Effect of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms on biogenic monoamine levels in the rat brain. Fujikawa T, Soya H, Hibasami H, et al. 37

Chin J Physiol. 2010;30;53(2):105–11. The effect of eight weeks of supplementation with Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance capacity and metabolism in human. Kuo J, Chen KW, Cheng IS, et al. 43 Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1998;27(6):421–4. Effect of Ciwujia (Radix Acanthopanacis senticosus) preparation on exercise performance under constant endurance load for elderly. Wu Y, Wang X, Li M, et al. 44

Life Sci. 2001;70(4):431–42. The effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus and Panax ginseng on steroidal hormone indices of stress and lymphocyte subset numbers in endurance athletes. Gaffney BT, Hügel HM, Rich PA. 45 Ontogenez. 1993;24(1):48–55. The prevention of congenital developmental anomalies in rats. Gordeĭchuk TN, Chebotar NA, Konopistseva LA, et al. 46

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Eur J Pharmacol. 2011;658(2–3):150–5. The effect of eleutheroside E on behavioral alterations in murine sleep deprivation stress model. Huang LZ, Wei L, Zhao HF, et al. 38

J Nat Med. 2011;65(3–4):417–23. Active components from Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) for protection of amyloid (25–35)-induced neuritic atrophy in cultured rat cortical neurons. Bai Y, Tohda C, Zhu S, et al. 39

Vopr Onkol. 1986;32(7):21–6. Stimulation of the immunological reactivity of cancer patients by Eleutherococcus extract. Kupin VI, Polevaia EB. 40

J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;133(1):213–9. Bioactivity-guided fractionation for anti-fatigue property of Acanthopanax senticosus. Huang LZ, Huang BK, Ye Q, et al. 41

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