Eleuthero is a woody shrub that is native to Northeast Asia. It is often referred to as Siberian ginseng even though it is a distant relative of ginseng or Panax plants. It is sometimes called devil’s bush, devil’s shrub, touch-me-not, or wild pepper.
Evidence has shown that eleuthero began being used in alternative and traditional medicines as an herbal remedy some 2,000 years ago.
What Are the Benefits of Eleuthero?
This Asian herb has many benefits. Some are backed by clinical evidence while others are the subject of ongoing studies.
1. Increases Circulation and Heart Rate
Eleuthero is a natural stimulant so it may help increase blood circulation and heart rate. Therefore, it is beneficial to people with low blood pressure or hypotension (a blood pressure reading of 90/60 millimeters of mercury or less).
2. Improves Cognitive Function
Since eleuthero increases blood circulation by increasing blood flow to the brain, it can aid in memory and concentration. An experiment on mice showed that oral administration of eleuthero extract enhanced recognition memory. This makes eleuthero ideal for students and professionals who need to elevate their performance.
3. Aids in Exercise
As a stimulant, eleuthero can help muscles and the rest of the body endure intense physical activities. According to one male-focused study, consuming eleuthero supplements increased the subjects’ endurance time by 23%. The supplement also resulted in elevated cardiovascular function and altered metabolism for sparing glycogen.
4. Boosts Immune System
A strong immune system helps a person fight off pathogens, viruses, and bacteria. Traditionally, people who have access to eleuthero plants take them in tincture form to boost their immune systems. It is still used to this day for this purpose, however, eleuthero is mostly ingested in pill or tea form.
5. Improves Lymphatic Function
Related to its immune-boosting features, eleuthero also improves lymphatic function. The lymphatic system helps maintain fluid balance in the body. In essence, eleuthero may help reduce edema or swelling due to the buildup of fluid.
6. Increases Muscle and Bone Strength
In Korea, eleuthero is a popular tonic herb because of its muscle and bone-strengthening benefits. This perk is backed by an animal study that hinted at eleuthero’s effectiveness against osteoporosis in rats.
7. Reduces Fatigue While Boosting Energy
Eleuthero is considered an adaptogen (a plant or mushroom that helps the body cope with fatigue). It brings balance to the body by helping it manage physical and mental stress.
8. Eases Menopausal Symptoms
Extracts of eleuthero and eleutherosides are known to bind to estrogen receptor sites. Therefore, eleuthero extract may help reduce estrogen withdrawal in menopausal women.
9. May Help Manage Cancer
While further studies are needed, some research suggests that eleuthero has some anti-cancer or anti-tumor properties. A study noted that Siberian ginseng “displays immune-stimulant and anti-cancer properties. These may affect tumor growth and provide an anti-fatigue effect for cancer patients, in particular for those suffering from lung cancer.”
How To Take Eleuthero
Eleuthero can be taken in different forms. Some take it as a tincture where an extract from the plant is mixed with a solvent. Some also drink it as tea. Others store it as bulk herb and take bits and pieces when needed. But the most popular way of taking eleuthero is through supplements either in capsule or tablet form.
We use eleuthero in several of our formulas, including:
- AdrenalStability™ - Supports healthy stress response, energy levels, mental focus, and mood.*
- CalmEssence™ - Supports a sense of calm, healthy stress response, and adrenal health.*
- EnergyPlus™ - Supports a clean, clear energy boost while promoting mental focus.*
- Transitions™ - Supports hormonal balance, especially during menopause. Transitions™ helps reduce hot flashes, supports positive mood, and promotes natural hormonal balance to eliminate or minimize discomfort.*
Conclusion
Eleuthero has been used for thousands of years and has several health benefits. Like all supplements, you should talk to your doctor before taking it to see if eleuthero is right for you. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage and you should be able to enjoy this amazing herb’s all-natural, subtle health improvements for yourself.