Eleuthero
Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) is used as an adaptogen for fatigue and stress. Evidence quality varies by outcome.
Overview
What is eleuthero?
Eleuthero is a woody shrub also known as Siberian ginseng, however it is not actually a form of ginseng.
Dosage
A typical dose of Eleuthero is 300-2,000 mg per day.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
19 conditions for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Database Snapshot
Most eleuthero research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Athletic performance accounts for 7 of 35 studies (20%).
- Common cold accounts for 4 of 35 studies (11%).
- Upper respiratory tract infection accounts for 3 of 35 studies (9%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Cognitive performance, High blood pressure.
Safety
Dose windows
Short-term
Eleuthero is likely safe when used at typical doses in the short term.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources31 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Athletic performance
7 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — The effect of eight weeks of supplementation with Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance capacity and metabolism in human2010
In 9 recreationally trained men over 8 weeks, 800 mg/day Eleutherococcus senticosus increased VO2 peak 12% (p < 0.05) and endurance time 23% (p < 0.05) versus placebo in crossover design.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — The influence of active components of Eleutherococcus senticosus on cellular defence and physical fitness in man2000
In 50 healthy volunteers over 30 days, Taiga Wurzel (eleuthero) improved lipid markers and oxygen plateau on ergospirometry versus echinacea control, suggesting effects on cellular defense and fitness.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — The effect of siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) on substrate utilization and performance2000
In 9 trained cyclists over 7 days, 1,200 mg/day Siberian ginseng did not alter substrate utilization, 10-km time trial performance, or steady-state exercise responses versus placebo.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — Effect of ENDUROX on metabolic responses to submaximal exercise1999
In 10 men over 7 days in crossover design, 800 mg ENDUROX did not significantly affect oxygen consumption, heart rate, lactate, or perceived exertion during submaximal or peak exercise versus placebo.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — The effects of ENDUROX on the physiological responses to stair-stepping exercise1999
A 1999 study investigated ENDUROX effects on physiological responses during stair-stepping exercise; detailed outcome data were not available in the indexed abstract.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus on submaximal and maximal exercise performance1996
In 20 trained distance runners over 6 weeks, Eleutherococcus senticosus extract did not significantly change VO2, heart rate, time to exhaustion, or serum lactate during submaximal or maximal tests versus placebo.
7.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — Effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus extract on human physical working capacity1986
A 1986 study evaluated Eleutherococcus senticosus extract on human physical working capacity; detailed outcome data were not available in the indexed abstract.
8.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) — The fruit of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms improves arterial stiffness and blood pressure: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial2020
In 76 healthy adults over 12 weeks, 500 mg/day Acanthopanax senticosus fruit significantly reduced systolic BP (−7.7 vs +0.1 mmHg), arterial stiffness (baPWV), and increased eNOS phosphorylation versus placebo.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) — The effects of A. senticosus supplementation on serum lipid profiles, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and lymphocyte DNA damage in postmenopausal women2008
In 40 postmenopausal women over 6 months, A. senticosus significantly lowered LDL (−17 mg/dL), LDL/HDL ratio, protein-carbonyl, and lymphocyte DNA damage versus calcium control.
SupplementDEX Database · Bipolar disorder
1 reference10.SupplementDEX Database: Bipolar disorder — Comparison of the Addition of Siberian Ginseng (Acanthopanax senticosus) Versus Fluoxetine to Lithium for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial2007
In 76 Chinese adolescents with bipolar disorder on lithium over 6 weeks, adjunct Acanthopanax senticosus showed similar response (67.6% vs 71.8%) and remission rates to fluoxetine, with no switching to mania versus 3 fluoxetine cases.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Chronic fatigue syndrome — Randomized controlled trial of Siberian ginseng for chronic fatigue2004
In 96 adults with chronic fatigue, Siberian ginseng did not significantly reduce fatigue overall, though a subgroup with moderate fatigue and illness ≥5 years showed a trend toward benefit (P = 0.09).
SupplementDEX Database · Cognitive performance
2 references12.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — Combined Treatment with Two Water Extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus Leaf and Rhizome of Drynaria fortunei Enhances Cognitive Function: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind Study in Healthy Adults2020
In 31 healthy adults (40–80 years), combined Eleutherococcus and Drynaria fortunei extracts over 12 weeks significantly improved RBANS figure recall and language domain scores versus placebo, with no adverse events.
13.2-12-24 Russian root (Siberian ginseng) improves cognitive functions in middle-aged people, whereas Ginkgo biloba seems effective only in the elderly. See external sourceExternal source
SupplementDEX Database · Common cold
4 references14.SupplementDEX Database: Common cold — Comparative controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination, Kan Jang and an Echinacea preparation as adjuvant, in the treatment of uncomplicated respiratory disease in children2004
In 130 children (4–11 years) over 10 days, adjuvant Kan Jang significantly improved cold symptoms, nasal secretion, and recovery time versus adjuvant echinacea or standard treatment alone.
15.SupplementDEX Database: Common cold — Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials2004
A systematic review of 433 participants in 3 RCTs found Andrographis paniculata alone or with A. senticosus significantly reduced URTI symptom severity versus placebo.
16.SupplementDEX Database: Common cold — A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections including sinusitis2002
In 185 adults with acute URTI/sinusitis over 5 days, Kan Jang significantly improved total symptom scores versus placebo, with greatest effects on headache, nasal, throat symptoms, and malaise.
17.SupplementDEX Database: Common cold — Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot and phase III study of activity of standardized Andrographis paniculata Herba Nees extract fixed combination (Kan jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper-respiratory tract infection2000
In pilot and phase III trials (225 patients), Kan Jang significantly improved total symptom and diagnosis scores versus placebo, with throat symptoms showing the largest benefit.
Diabetes
1 reference18.Siberian Ginseng Results in Beneficial Effects on Glucose Metabolism in Diabetes Type 2 Patients: A Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Study in Comparison to Panax Ginseng. See external sourceExternal source
Diabetic neuropathy
1 reference19.Siberian Ginseng Results in Beneficial Effects on Glucose Metabolism in Diabetes Type 2 Patients: A Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Study in Comparison to Panax Ginseng. See external sourceExternal source
20.SupplementDEX Database: Elderly quality of life — Effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim.) on elderly quality of life: a randomized clinical trial2004
In 20 elderly hypertensive patients over 8 weeks, 300 mg/day E. senticosus improved social functioning at 4 weeks (p = 0.02), though benefits attenuated by 8 weeks; no blood pressure or digitalemia changes occurred.
21.SupplementDEX Database: Familial Mediterranean fever — Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, pilot clinical trial of ImmunoGuard--a standardized fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata Nees, with Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim, Schizandra chinensis Bail. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extracts in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever2003
In 24 children with familial Mediterranean fever over 1 month, ImmunoGuard (andrographis, eleuthero, schisandra, licorice) significantly improved attack duration, frequency, and severity versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Hangover
1 reference22.SupplementDEX Database: Hangover — Clinical effect of a polysaccharide-rich extract of Acanthopanax senticosus on alcohol hangover2015
In a crossover trial, polysaccharide-rich Acanthopanax extract did not alter blood alcohol pharmacokinetics but significantly improved hangover items on the Acute Hangover Scale and attenuated alcohol-induced hypoglycemia and CRP rise.
SupplementDEX Database · Influenza
1 reference23.SupplementDEX Database: Influenza — A randomized, controlled study of Kan Jang versus amantadine in the treatment of influenza in Volgograd2003
In influenza patients, Kan Jang (Andrographis fixed combination including eleuthero) shortened sick leave and reduced post-influenza complications versus amantadine in two Russian RCTs (540 and 66 patients).
SupplementDEX Database · Osteoarthritis
1 reference24.SupplementDEX Database: Osteoarthritis — Effects of AIF on Knee Osteoarthritis Patients: Double-blind, Randomized Placebo-controlled Study2009
In 57 Korean knee OA patients over 6 weeks, 800 mg/day AIF (Panax notoginseng, Rehmannia, eleuthero) significantly reduced pain (VAS) and improved WOMAC physical function versus placebo.
Osteoporosis
1 reference25.Effects of R. Glutinosa and E. Senticosus on Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. See external sourceExternal source
SupplementDEX Database · Pneumonia
1 reference26.SupplementDEX Database: Pneumonia — Impact of Chisan (ADAPT-232) on the quality-of-life and its efficacy as an adjuvant in the treatment of acute non-specific pneumonia2005
In 60 pneumonia patients over 10–15 days, adjunct Chisan (ADAPT-232) shortened antibiotic duration by ~2 days and improved quality-of-life scores 5 days after clinical recovery versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Stress
2 references27.SupplementDEX Database: Stress — Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study of single dose effects of ADAPT-232 on cognitive functions2013
In 40 stressed women, a single 270 mg ADAPT-232 dose significantly improved attention, speed, and accuracy on the d2 test within 2 hours versus placebo.
28.SupplementDEX Database: Stress — No benefit adding eleutherococcus senticosus to stress management training in stress-related fatigue/weakness, impaired work or concentration, a randomized controlled study2013
In 144 adults with stress-related fatigue over 8 weeks, adding 120 mg/day eleuthero to stress management training did not provide additional benefit on most outcomes versus training alone.
29.SupplementDEX Database: Upper respiratory tract infection — Early intervention with Kan Jang® to treat upper-respiratory tract infections: A randomized, quadruple-blind study2021
In 179 URTI patients over 5 days, early Kan Jang (60 mg andrographolides/day) reduced sick leave by >21% (2.38 vs 3.02 days, p = 0.005) and improved all URTI symptoms from day 2 versus placebo.
30.SupplementDEX Database: Upper respiratory tract infection — Antitussive effect of a fixed combination of Justicia adhatoda, Echinacea purpurea and Eleutherococcus senticosus extracts in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection: A comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study2015
In 177 adults (18–65 years) with acute URI over 5 days, Kan Jang oral solution (30 mL/day) relieved cough comparably to bromhexine and better than placebo, with good tolerability.
31.SupplementDEX Database: Upper respiratory tract infection — Randomized trial of a fixed combination (KanJang) of herbal extracts containing Adhatoda vasica, Echinacea purpurea and Eleutherococcus senticosus in patients with upper respiratory tract infections2005
In URTI patients, KanJang (Adhatoda, echinacea, eleuthero) improved coughing, mucus discharge, nasal congestion, and sickness versus bromhexine, with recovery ~2 days faster.