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Ginseng, Siberian (Eleutherococcus senticosus, Eleuthero)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Siberian Ginseng is native to the southeastern part of Russia, northern China, Korea, and Japan. The root and the rhizomes (underground stem) of the plant are used medicinally. Itu00a0 supports the working of the adrenal glands and prevents the worst effects of nervous tension.


GENERAL DESCRIPTION:


Siberian Ginseng is native to the southeastern
part of Russia, northern China, Korea, and Japan. The root and the rhizomes (underground
stem) of the plant are used medicinally. It  supports
the working of the adrenal glands and prevents the worst
effects of nervous tension. It tends to increase energy, extend endurance, and fight fatigue.
Chemists have isolated more than three-dozen compounds in
Siberian ginseng that may affect the mind and body; foremost
among these are the eleutherosides, which occur in the plant’s roots and, to a lesser degree,
in the leaves. Studies have determined that the
eleutherosides differ from the ginsenosides isolated from
the panax ginsengs, though some of their effects on the body
are similar, exactly how these compounds affect the body is still being determined. (The effects, in fact, may be available only from the
whole herb. The isolated components of Siberian ginseng do
not have the same tonic action as the whole plant.) The
effects of Siberian ginseng also vary from person to
person.


ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:


Studies on Siberian ginseng have shown that
it has considerable promise for increasing longevity and improving overall health. The plant may
also play a role in the treatment of hypertension, blood
sugar irregularities, and depression. Siberian ginseng is
known to boost overall immune function and preliminary findings also suggests that it may
prove valuable in the long-term management of various diseases of the immune system, including HIV
infection and chronic fatigue syndrome. Healthy people who
were given a daily supplement of Siberian ginseng were
found to have increased numbers of T-lymphocytes.
Siberian ginseng also supports the body
by helping the liver detoxify harmful toxins.

Studies carried out in Russia have confirmed
that ginseng can also exert a protective effect on the body during radiation
exposure.
Therefore, it may be of
benefit to patients undergoing radiotherapy to treat
cancer. The plant also helps the liver to detoxify harmful toxins. Animal studies have shown
that Siberian ginseng helps to protect against ethanol,
sodium barbital, and the tetanus toxoid, and
chemotherapeutic agents, among others. Siberian ginseng has
also been shown to enhance mental
acuity and physical endurance
without the side effects associated with caffeine.
Research suggests that Siberian ginseng improves oxygen
utilization by exercising muscle, thus it would be logical to assume that it may help to
increase  endurance and speed recovery from exercise.
However, research in this area has produced somewhat
contradictory results. In research conducted on people of
average athletic abilities, for instance, people
given Siberian ginseng have shown marked
improvements in endurance. However, in a recent study on
experienced distance runners, researchers saw no effects
on exercise performance.


THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:


Siberian ginseng is sold in capsules, tinctures,
and extracts. Standardized Siberian ginseng products often specify the content of one or
more of a series of chemicals known as eleutherosides. An
average dose is 100mg of an extract standardized for 1%
eleutherosides. Siberian ginseng should not be used
continuously for more than 6-8 weeks, with a break of 1-2 weeks between use.

MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL: Not established

SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:


Siberian ginseng is considered to be safe for
daily consumption even in doses many times larger than average, though some people may
experience insomnia and other side effects from taking high
amounts. Siberian ginseng should be avoided, or taken with
caution, by individuals with uncontrolled high blood pressure and those who are hysteric, manic,
or  schizophrenic. It should not be taken with
stimulants, including coffee, antipsychotic drugs or during
treatment with hormones. People taking digoxin should
consult their doctor before taking Siberian
ginseng.

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