Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Other names: Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero), элеутерококк (eleuterokokk), Eleutherococcus (Siberian ginseng)
Photo credit: Stanislav Doronenko
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: None known — but can over-stimulate. | Mild. Insomnia, irritability, tachycardia, headaches may occur (frequency unknown). No overdose case reported. In vitro mutagenicity tests negative.
Contraindications: Best for maintaining health, not acute illness; may over-stimulate in chronic-fatigue states. | Hypersensitivity. Not recommended in children <12. EMA: do not use >2 months without medical advice. Secondary sources caution in uncontrolled hypertension, sleep apnea, and heart disease (not verified in EMA monograph).
Interactions: None specifically noted. | None established by EMA. Case-report-level concern that eleuthero may raise serum digoxin levels (1996 case); theoretical interaction with sedatives/hexobarbital and antidiabetic drugs (low-quality signals).
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
tincture · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: Traditionally used as an adaptogen and general tonic to enhance resistance to stress, improve physical/mental performance, and support recovery from illness or treatment.
How to prepare (traditional): Standard tincture based on clinical studies; a typical course is 6 weeks of treatment followed by a 2-week break. A 20:1 solid extract equivalent is about 100-200 mg.
Dosage note (descriptive only): 50-100 drops three times a day. BHC: 2-3 g dried root and rhizome three times daily.
decoction · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: Traditionally taken as a general tonic.
How to prepare (traditional): Decoction of the dried, chopped root (unearthed in autumn).
Dosage note (descriptive only): professional use only — not provided
powder · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: Traditionally taken for long-term stress.
How to prepare (traditional): Capsules made from powdered root.
Dosage note (descriptive only): professional use only — not provided
other · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: Adaptogenic/tonic support before stressful events.
How to prepare (traditional): Tablets, described as a convenient form, used before tests or stressful events.
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a food. | Not a nutritional food; actives are eleutherosides (lignans, phenylpropanoids), syringaresinol, β-sitosterol.
Healing traditions
Sources (6)
- Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (book, p.93) — Andrew Chevallier, English, 2016
- Eleutherococci radix — HMPC summary, EMA/HMPC, 2014/2016
- Community herbal monograph on Eleutherococcus senticosus, radix (EMA/HMPC/680618/2013), 2014
- Eleutherococcus senticosus — Wikipedia (cites WHO Monographs vol. 2), 2026
- Liang CJW et al., Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2025;18(8):1208 (PMID 40872598; PMC12389708)
- Kos G et al., Molecules 2025;30(12):2512 (PMID 40572479; PMC12195798)