An Introduction to Eluethero Root

A plant that grows naturally in the Tiaga region of Northeastern Asia, Eastern Siberia and the Korean peninsula, Northeast China, Southeastern Russia, and Japan, it has been adapted to grow along the North West coast in North America, including Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia forests that are damp and receive substantial rainfall.

Growing naturally in mountain forests, it forms a thick low-lying undergrowth. It will grow in sandy or dense clay soils and will survive in sunny or lightly shaded areas. It is slow growing and a small flowering shrub that usually flowers in July and is a part of the Araliaceae family. Eleuthero root is also called Eleutherococcus senticosus, and is used in the form of a dried root.

This root has also been called Siberian ginseng, but this name was banned in the United States by the Ginseng Labeling Act, 2002, so it is now illegal to use this term. The reason for this ban is the word ginseng can only be used to refer to the Panax ginseng species, which is a cousin to Eleuthero. The term Panax is derived from the Greek language and means “cure all”.
Other names for this drug include Acanthopanax senticosus, Ci Wu Jia, Devil’s bush, Devil’s shrub, Eluthera, Ginseng root, Hedera senticosa, Pepperbrush, Pickly Eleutherococc, Shigoka, Touch-me-not, Ussuri, Ussurian Thorny, Wild Pepper, and Wu Jia Pi.

Eleuthero has been used to treat a variety of stress-related ailments by helping the body adapt to stress and preventing adrenal burnout. It does this by regulating the activity of the adrenal cortex, giving increased endurance and memory improvement. Eleuthero has been known to improve the immune system, increase mental alertness and enhance mental concentration, while sustaining a healthy overall mood.

Eluethero has also been used successfully when training athletes who are subjected to activities requiring great physical exertion and stress. This herb was used to treat individuals exposed to radiation following the nuclear accident in Chernobyl, and was dispensed in Siberia to the population of entire cities in the early winter as a preventative medicine for colds and flu’s.

Eleuthero can also be effective in treating the following symptoms that are caused by an HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) depletion: stress, exhaustion, dilating or contracting pupils, darkness under the eyes, a tongue that trembles caused by adrenal fatigue, and an overactive endocrine system causing neurasthenia and aching muscles.

Those suffering from loss of bone marrow due to radiation or chemotherapy have been treated with Eleuthero and found it effective. It has also been used to treat neurasthenia symptoms such as loss of appetite, headache, and insomnia.

The Chinese have used this herb in Traditional Medicine since 190 AD. In the 1940’s a Soviet Scientist named Brekham, discovered its use in helping the body become accustomed to stress (an adaptogen). Since then, its use as an adaptogen increased the popularity of Eleuthero.

Eleuthero is taken as an additive to fruit juices and smoothie drinks, or in teas. It has been used to enhance immunity when taken daily. It may also improve the performance of athletes, and was used in the Soviet Union by coaches of Olympic athletes.

In the United States, Eleuthero was tested in a study of baseball players. After taking Eleuthero for a period of eight days, they noticed their breathing capacity had improved so they were able to run quickly for short distances without becoming winded.

In Australia, Eleuthero was tested by a study group of men and women. They took the herb for 8 weeks and found that they had increased strength in their biceps and pectoral muscles. In New Jersey, a study showed that after taking the herb for 8 weeks the body had improved its ability to burn fat when exercising.

When Eleuthero is mixed with other herbs such as schisandra, it can enhance the immunity system to fight colds and other infections. For those individuals with high blood pressure, Eleuthero is not recommended as it stimulates the body, similar to caffeine but without the letdown afterward. It can also cause insomnia so it is recommended not to take this herb

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