Eleuthero Root, Powder (Siberian Ginseng) (Eleutherococcus senticosus) – Dried Herb, Organic

Eleuthero Root, also known as Devil’s Shrub, Ci Wujia and Siberian Ginseng, even though it is not a true Ginseng because it does not contain ginsenosides. It is an erect shrub that grows eight to ten feet with prickly stems, dark green palmate leaves, the male flowers are purple, while the female flowers are yellow, and are cross-pollinated by bee’s. The flowers bloom in early summer, bear fruit in the fall and the root is harvested when the plant is dormant after 4 or 5 growing seasons. Eleuthero likes to grow as a understory shrub in mountain’s thickets and sparse forest up 2,500 feet in elevation and is native to Japan, northern China, southeastern Russia, South Korea and North Korea.

The Eleutherococcus genus contains over 30 species some of which are grown ornamentally. Eleuthero is from the plant family Araliaceae, that consist of 1500 flowering plant species that are primarily woody and herbaceous including Devil’s Club, Korean Ginseng and American Ginseng. The eleuthero that is available commercially is mostly harvested from northeast China and Russia in its natural habitats. Some cultivation has started in Japan and Canada in the recent decades where it can be grown in a habitat resembling its own in nature.

Eleuthero Root has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years, it has been used in Eastern Europe as a folk remedy for hundreds of years, but it was not until the 1940s that it became a popular herb in Russia and the rest of Europe.  The term “adaptogen” was coined by pharmacologist Dr. Nikolai Lazarev in 1947, referencing Eleuthero’s ability to enhance resistance to environmental stress. After Russian researchers brought attention to Eleuthero in the 1960s confirmed its healing abilities to support endurance and stamina it spread to the West. Eleuthero Root has been used traditionally in Russia for stamina and promoting overall health. Eleuthero has been use in China in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Korea to strengthen the qi and used traditionally in China to tonify the spleen, nourish the kidneys and for sleeplessness with too many dreams.

Properties:

Eleuthero’s taste and energetics are pungent, slightly bitter, warming and astringent. Eleuthero root has an affinity towards the spleen, kidney, heart, endocrine system (adrenals, sex hormones and thyroid), immune system and respiratory system. Combine Eleuthero Root with Ashwagandha, Schizandra and Rhodiola to possibly support the adrenals. For the spleen combine Eleuthero Root with Astragalus, Licorice and Cinnamon.

How to use:

1 teaspoon of Eleuthero Root to one cup of boiling water. Simmer for 15 minutes, strain and drink up to three cups a day.

Or add one teaspoon to smoothies or food such as soup. Click here for a yummy Eleuthero Soup recipe or click here to try our Energy Protein Ball recipe.

Cautions & contraindications:

Generally, considered safe. In rare cases it has caused agitation and palpitations.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or illness. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to the use of this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications or have a medical condition. Individual results may vary.