Omnia SanaCommon names in 11 European languages →
The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 5 pharmacological actions, 9 traditional / indicated uses, with 19 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Deciduous shrub with numerous slender, spiny stems (unlike true Panax ginseng, hence 'eleuthero' rather than 'ginseng'). The leaves are palmately compound with five toothed leaflets on a long stalk. Small, pale purple or white flowers are borne in rounded umbels, followed by clusters of small black berries.[12]
Habitat & Distribution
Native to the mixed and coniferous forest understorey of the Russian Far East, north-eastern China, Korea and Japan, growing in shaded, cool, moist woodland.[12]
Harvesting
The root and rhizome are dug in autumn from plants at least three to four years old, when their eleutheroside content is highest, then cleaned and dried.
Key Constituents
The principal marker compounds of the root; together with saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides they underlie the adaptogenic, immunostimulatory and neuroprotective activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Adaptogen for fatigue and physical/mental stress (improves endurance and resistance to stressors)
Preclinical neuroprotective and antidiabetic (glucose-regulating) activity
Adaptogen for fatigue and physical/mental stress (improves endurance and resistance to stressors)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from antidiabetic action
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →
Cognitive-function and mental-performance support
inferred from immunomodulator action
Adaptogen for fatigue and physical/mental stress (improves endurance and resistance to stressors)
Immune support (immunomodulatory)
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from ergogenic action
Adaptogen for fatigue and physical/mental stress (improves endurance and resistance to stressors)
Traditional Use & History
Siberian ginseng root has a long Russian and Chinese traditional-medicine reputation as an adaptogenic tonic to improve resistance to physical, mental and environmental stress, support endurance and recovery, and bolster immune resilience during cold and flu season, closely paralleling (though botanically distinct from) true Panax ginseng.[12]
Preparations
Root extract standardised to eleutheroside B and E content, taken as capsules or tablets for adaptogenic and immune support.
Comminuted dried root and rhizome as a herbal tea, 0.5-4 g in 150 ml boiling water as the daily dose, divided into one to three doses per the EU herbal monograph. Note the monograph describes an infusion in boiling water rather than a simmered decoction. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph on Eleutherococcus senticosus radix gives DAILY doses for adolescents, adults and elderly - herbal tea 0.5-4 g of the comminuted root in 150 mL of boiling water, divided into one to three doses; powdered herbal substance 0.75-3 g; liquid extract (DER 1:1, ethanol 30-40%) 2-3 mL; and dry extracts at doses corresponding to those quantities of dried root. Often taken as a course of several weeks rather than continuously, and best avoided late in the day given a possible mild stimulant effect. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally safe with few side effects; taken late in the day it may cause mild insomnia or irritability. Use caution in uncontrolled high blood pressure.
May interact with digoxin, anticoagulants, and antidiabetic or sedative medicines. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established, so avoid medicinal doses.
Herb-Drug Interactions
Herb-Herb Pairings
Harvest Readiness
[14]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Li, X.T., Zhou, J.C., Zhou, Y., Ren, Y.S. et al (2022) 'Pharmacological effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus on the neurological disorders', Phytotherapy Research, 36(9), pp. 3490-3504. doi:10.1002/ptr.7555 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7555 - Li, X., Chen, C., Leng, A. and Qu, J (2021) 'Advances in the Extraction, Purification, Structural Characteristics and Biological Activities of Eleutherococcus senticosus Polysaccharides', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 753007. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.753007 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.753007 - Wróbel-Biedrawa, D. and Podolak, I (2024) 'Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of Adaptogens: A Mini-Review', Molecules, 29(4), pp. 866. doi:10.3390/molecules29040866 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29040866 - Kos, G., Czarnek, K., Sadok, I., Krzyszczak-Turczyn, A., Kubica, P. and others (2025) 'Eleutherococcus senticosus: An Important Adaptogenic Plant', Molecules, 30(12). doi:10.3390/molecules30122512 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30122512 - Davydov, M. and Krikorian, A.D (2000) 'Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: a closer look', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 72(3), pp. 345-393. doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00181-1 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00181-1 - Goulet, E.D.B. and Dionne, I.J (2005) 'Assessment of the effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance performance', International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 15(1), pp. 75-83. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.15.1.75 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.15.1.75 - Graczyk, F., Strzemski, M., Balcerek, M., Kozlowska, W., Mazurek, B., Karakula, M., Sowa, I., Ptaszynska, A.A. and Zaluski, D (2021) 'Pharmacognostic evaluation and HPLC-PDA and HS-SPME/GC-MS metabolomic profiling of Eleutherococcus senticosus fruits', Molecules, 26(7), pp. 1969. doi:10.3390/molecules26071969 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071969 - Zaluski, D., Olech, M., Galanty, A., Verpoorte, R., Kuzniewski, R., Nowak, R. and Bogucka-Kocka, A (2016) 'Phytochemical content and pharma-nutrition study on Eleutherococcus senticosus fruits intractum', Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2016, pp. 9270691. doi:10.1155/2016/9270691 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9270691 - Zhou, Y., Luo, W., Zhou, T., Zhou, Y., Li, H., Sun, F., Ge, Y. and Piao, X (2024) 'Precursor ions-guided comprehensive profiling of triterpenoid saponins from the Eleutherococcus senticosus stems and their neuroprotective effect evaluation', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 238, pp. 115849. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115849 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115849 - Gerontakos, S., Taylor, A., Avdeeva, A.Y., Shikova, V.A., Pozharitskaya, O.N., Casteleijn, D., Wardle, J. and Shikov, A.N (2021) 'Findings of Russian literature on the clinical application of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.): a narrative review', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 278, pp. 114274. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114274 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114274 - Hashimoto, T., Okada, Y., Yamanaka, A., Ono, N., Uryu, K. and Maru, I (2020) 'The effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus on metabolism-associated protein expression in 3T3-L1 and C2C12 cells', Physical Activity and Nutrition, 24(3), pp. 13-18. doi:10.20463/pan.2020.0016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.20463/pan.2020.0016 - Bleakney, T.L (2008) 'Deconstructing an adaptogen: Eleutherococcus senticosus', Holistic Nursing Practice. doi:10.1097/01.HNP.0000326005.65310.7c Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.HNP.0000326005.65310.7c - Todorova, V., Ivanov, K., Delattre, C., Nalbantova, V., Karcheva-Bahchevanska, D. and Ivanova, S (2021) 'Plant Adaptogens - History and Future Perspectives', Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu13082861 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082861 - Plants For A Future 'Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Eleutherococcus+senticosus Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Eleutherococcus+senticosus - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2014) 'Community herbal monograph on Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim., radix'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-eleutherococcus-senticosus-rupr-et-maxim-maxim-radix_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-eleutherococcus-senticosus-rupr-et-maxim-maxim-radix_en.pdf - McRae, S (1996) 'Elevated serum digoxin levels in a patient taking digoxin and Siberian ginseng', Canadian Medical Association Journal, 155(3), pp. 293-295. Clinical study
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Elevated%20serum%20digoxin%20levels%20in%20a%20patient%20taking%20digoxin%20and%20Siberian%20ginseng - Dasgupta, A., Wu, S., Actor, J., Olsen, M., Wells, A. and Datta, P (2003) 'Effect of Asian and Siberian ginseng on serum digoxin measurement by five digoxin immunoassays. Significant variation in digoxin-like immunoreactivity among commercial ginsengs', American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 119(2), pp. 298-303. doi:10.1309/34BJ-ECP7-UK6F-H13V Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1309/34BJ-ECP7-UK6F-H13V - Panossian, A.G (2013) 'Adaptogens in mental and behavioral disorders', Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 36(1), pp. 49-64. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2012.12.005 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2012.12.005 - Karosanidze, I., Kiladze, U., Kirtadze, N., Giorgadze, M. and Panossian, A (2022) 'Efficacy of Adaptogens in Patients with Long COVID-19: A Randomized, Quadruple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial', Pharmaceuticals, 15(3), pp. 345. doi:10.3390/ph15030345 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15030345
Selected studies & references
All 18 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.