Siberian Ginseng is not actually called Ginseng at all in
the modern scientific literature to avoid confusion and mix-up with real
Ginseng (Panax Ginseng and American Ginseng). Eleutherococcus senticosus is only distantly related to the true
ginseng species and possesses entirely different, unrelated chemical
constituents. However, it is still called Russian or Siberian ginseng in the
popular literature and public websites. The origin of this misnomer lies in the
work of a Soviet scientist, Israel Brekhman, who believed that eleutherococcus
has the same properties as ginseng, and popularized it as a less-expensive
alternative herb.
According to Brekhman, eleutherococcus and ginseng are
both adaptogens . This term refers to a hypothetical treatment defined as
follows: An adaptogen should help the body adapt to stresses of various kinds,
whether heat, cold, exertion, trauma, sleep deprivation, toxic exposure,
radiation, infection, or psychological stress. Furthermore, an adaptogen should
cause no side effects, be effective in treating a wide variety of illnesses,
and help return an organism toward balance no matter what may have gone wrong.
Perhaps the only indisputable example of an adaptogen is
a healthful lifestyle. By eating right, exercising regularly, and generally
living a life of balance and moderation, you will increase your physical
fitness and ability to resist illnesses of all types. Brekhman felt certain
that both eleutherococcus and ginseng produced similarly universal benefits.
Eleuthero and
Menopause Symptoms
Siberian Ginseng is known remedy to relieve menstrual
disorders and menopausal symptoms. It may positively affect Hormone levels works
to stabilize hormone levels and tone the large uterine muscle. Also eleuthero
is used in much the same way to stimulate the endocrine gland and also
assimilate vitamins and minerals.
As with other natural remedies, the effects of Siberian
Ginseng can vary between individuals.
Diet, exercise, lifestyle and other medication all play a role in
determining the effects of ginseng on an individual. However, Vanderbilt
University has published results from years of research indicating the
potential of Siberia Ginseng for women going through menopause. Here are some of the ways ginseng is helping
women.
* Relief from Hot
Flashes. Between 60% and 85% of menopausal women experience hot flashes,
some as often as 20 times a day! These
hot flashes are often accompanied by heart palpitations, anxiety, and vertigo.
Scientific research shows that Siberian Ginseng offers relief to women
suffering from hot flashes.
Physiologically, this happens because ginseng stimulates production of a
hormone that can lower body temperature.
* Relief from
insomnia. Although often used as a stimulant to battle fatigue, Siberian
Ginseng can also serve the opposite role of fighting insomnia. Many menopausal
women suffer from insomnia or interrupted sleep, often caused by nighttime hot
flashes. This lack of sleep can cause
numerous other problems including irritability, lack of mental focus, poor
memory, and general fatigue.
* Effects on
Hormone Levels. Many symptoms of menopause are instigated by a sharp
reduction in estrogen levels, leading many women to seek estrogen replacement
therapy. Reports indicate that Siberian
ginseng might actually have many of the same properties as estrogen.
* Mood Elevation.
Numerous animal studies show that ginseng’s effects on the body result in an
enhanced mood. Studies on mid-aged women
40-60 years old also showed significant improvement in concentration, feelings
of vitality, productivity, and mood.
Other Health Benefits
Siberian ginseng contains remarkable compounds that
favorably affect the adrenal glands, the small glands that rest atop the
kidneys and secrete stress-fighting hormones. Taking the herb is believed to
boost the body's capacity to handle physical stresses ranging from heat
exposure to extreme exertion. Resistance to disease increases as well. So does
one's overall energy level.
Specifically, Siberian ginseng may help to:
* Prevent
stress-related illnesses. Several studies have shown that Siberian ginseng
can increase a person's resistance to physical stresses. In a series of
landmark Russian studies in the 1960s, 2,100 healthy adults (19 to 72 years
old) given Siberian ginseng were shown to better handle stressful conditions.
Specifically, they experienced an increased ability to perform physical labor,
withstand motion sickness, and work with speed and precision despite being
surrounded by noise. They could also proofread documents more accurately and
more readily adapt to such physical stresses such as heat, high altitudes, and
low-oxygen environments. Siberian ginseng may also help boost people’s immunity
if their immune systems are already compromised. A study on women undergoing
chemotherapy for ovarian cancer found that in the 4 weeks after chemo treatment
various measures of cellular immunity were improved.
* Relieve chronic
fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia. Because Siberian ginseng bolsters
the adrenal glands, it's worth trying to relieve the exhaustion and muscle pain
associated with these energy-depleting conditions. A study of 96 chronic
fatigue sufferers found that Siberian ginseng may be efficacious for people
suffering from moderate CFS.
* Combat fatigue
and restore energy. Siberian ginseng is popular for invigorating and
fortifying the body. It appears to boost energy levels in people suffering from
acute or constant exhaustion. Those recovering from an illness or weary from a
heavy work schedule may also benefit from its energy-boosting and
immune-enhancing powers.
* Increase male
and female fertility and reduce male impotence. By supporting healthy
uterine function, Siberian ginseng may be useful in preventing female
infertility. Males may experience an increased sperm count (rotate it with Panax
ginseng for this purpose). Animal studies indicate that the herb can even boost
testosterone levels and thus help reverse certain cases of male impotence.
* Treat
Alzheimer's disease. Siberian ginseng may increase mental alertness,
particularly in the early stages of this progressive disorder. The herb's
ability to boost the transmission of nerve impulses may also enhance memory. A
recent small randomized controlled study found that some aspects of mental and
social functioning in the elderly improved after treatment with ginseng after
only four weeks.
* Combat
free-radical damage and some forms of cancer. Scientists have been able to
show that Siberian ginseng has a cytotoxic (cell killing) effect on some cancer
cell lines in laboratory studies. These preliminary results still need to be
investigated in animal and human models, so the chances of seeing Siberian
ginseng be touted as a effective cancer treatment is still years away.
* Increase
resistance to colds and flu. Historically, the Chinese have found Siberian
ginseng to be effective in suppressing colds and flu. The herb's
immune-enhancing powers may play a role. Recent studies have found that
Siberian ginseng is a helpful to ease upper respiratory tract infections and
sinusitis.
Dosage
Buy Siberian ginseng extracts from a company with a
reputation for quality. Products should be standardized to contain at least
0.8% eleutherosides (the active ingredients).
* For stress: Take 100 to 200 mg three times a day.
Special "adrenal gland" formulas now on the market commonly contain
Siberian ginseng in combination with licorice, pantothenic acid, and other
stress-fighting ingredients.
* For fatigue (and chronic fatigue syndrome), female
infertility, Alzheimer's disease, fibromyalgia, and the majority of other
conditions mentioned: Take 100 to 300 mg twice a day for 60 to 90 days, and
then take a seven-day break before resuming treatment.
* For male infertility and impotence: Take l00 to 300 mg
twice a day. For infertility, rotate every three weeks with 100 to 250 mg Panax
ginseng standardized to contain 7% ginsenosides (the active ingredient). For
impotence, rotate every two weeks.
* For colds and flu: Take 300 mg twice a day for seven to 10
days.
Safety Issues
According to studies performed primarily in the former
Soviet Union, Eleutherococcus appears to present a low order of toxicity
in both the short- and long-term. Human trials have not resulted in any
significant side effects. Safety in pregnant or nursing women, young children,
or people with severe liver or kidney disease is not known.
One report suggests that Eleutherococcus may alter
the results of a test for the medication digoxin.
Siberian Ginseng should not be taken if you have:
* high blood pressure.
* narcolepsy (frequent day time sleeping).
* obstructive sleep apnea (repeated, prolonged periods
when breathing stops while sleeping.
Sources and Additional
Information:
