Eleutherococcus senticosus (Eleuthero) Flashcards
How do you recognise Eleuthero?
A low growing shrub. Known as Siberian Ginseng or Devil’s bush. Native to humid uplands in East Asia and Russia, name means ‘free berries’.
Leaves palmate with 3 – 5 leaflets. Stems spiny. Has flowers with tiny pale violet petals & prominent anthers and style. Fruit = black berries - looks a bit like ivy with ivy berries.
What are Eleuthero’s main constituents?
Confusingly many different types of constituent extracted from this plant have been called “eleutherosides”; not sure which constituent does what. They include:
* Triterpene saponins.
* Phenyl propanoid glycosides.
* Immunostimulating polysaccharides.
* Coumarins.
* Phytosterols.
* Lignans.
What family is Eleuthero in?
Member of the Araliaceae.
What is Eleuthero good for?
Summary: People compare it to Ginseng hence its name. In West mostly used as an adaptogen, to increase resistance against all types of stress. Russians researched from 1960s, as found to be easier to cultivate than actual Ginseng
Actions:
* Adaptogen.
* Immune modulator/stimulant - increase levels of interferon, T cells etc.
* Chemoprotective.
* Hepatoprotective.
* Neuroprotective.
* Anti-viral.
* Anti-oxidant.
* Normalises blood pressure if hypotensive.
Applications:
* To increase mental alertness and physical endurance.
* To reduce effects of psychological and physiological stress,
* To increase athletic performance (possibly, but not banned by sports authorities).
* Chronic fatigue.
* Irritability.
* Insomnia - does opposite in too higher dose tho
* In immunodeficiency.
* Adjunct to cancer treatment – reduces side effects of chemotherapy & radiotherapy.
* Use in TCM – for oedema, joint pain & muscular spasm
What is Eleuthero’s Latin name?
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim.
What parts of Eleuthero do you use?
Part used: roots
What safety issues might Eleuthero have?
Bendle considers it safe, but prolonged high doses may cause insomnia and irritability. May affect blood levels of digoxin. Some people say to use it for a month twice a year.
What useful research does Eleuthero have?
Although used in TCM, most use is based on modern research since the 1950’s.
External links:
A brief one:
* Findings of Russian literature on the clinical application of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.): A narrative review – abstract only.
An epic one:
* Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: a closer look – examines the concept of “adaptogens”, history of research, compares chemistry to Panax.
And a middle sized one:
* Eleutherococcus senticosus as a crude medicine: Review of biological and pharmacological effects
What remedies might you use Eleuthero in?
Dosage: ≤ 30ml 1:3 tincture/week (Bendle).
2-8ml/day 1:2 tincture (Bone & Mills).
You can apply in a wider range of circumstances; Bendle uses it in a lot of patients for stress, sometimes with other nervines, sometimes as an ‘add on’ for stress.
