All About Siberian Ginseng
Siberian Ginseng
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) belongs to a category of herbal remedies known as adaptogens. These have a broad range of health benefits thanks to their non-specific ranges of actions, and are well-suited to complex issues such as aging and chronic fatigue. So what makes Siberian ginseng stand out, and could it be the adaptogen for you?
What Is Siberian Ginseng, And Why Do We Study It?
Siberian ginseng is native to – you guessed it – the Siberian region of Russia and surrounding areas. Like other types of ginseng, it has a thick, off-white root with smaller tendrils extending downwards. Surrounded by broad, green leaves are dandelion-like flower clusters, which give way to berries of the deepest purple color that begin in a spherical formation.
Traditional uses of Siberian ginseng center around enhancing physical and mental performance. Soviet researchers studied it for decades, but in recent times the wider world has learnt more about its benefits as research became unlocked.
Siberian Ginseng’s Brain-Boosting Benefits
Many people, from students to older professionals, take Siberian ginseng to boost or maintain cognition. Clinical trials have found benefits including improved attention span, faster reaction times, and fewer errors on cognitive tests. Some of these studies involved up to several thousand people, and better results were often seen with higher doses.
Siberian ginseng may work partly through protecting your brain cells against damage. A lab study found that an extract of the herb could reduce brain cell death by up to 53%, even in the face of temporary blood flow restriction. As everyday stresses, such as environmental toxin exposure, stress, and low-grade nutrient deficiencies can affect brain health over time, Siberian ginseng may help you stay sharp.
Siberian Ginseng And Improving Sensory Function
We’re told that declining vision and hearing are unavoidable parts of aging. Fortunately, two of the more obscure potential benefits of Siberian ginseng are improved eyesight and ear function, including both hearing and balance.
In one study with 55 participants, taking Siberian ginseng for one month led to significant improvements in vestibular stability, which affects balance. This could make Siberian ginseng a crucial supplement for older adults in order to prevent falling and serious injury. A second trial including hearing-impaired sailors found improvements in sound perception among those in the treated group, while the placebo group had worse hearing after work.
As for vision, another trial tested Siberian ginseng among 232 train drivers with eyesight in the normal range. Taking Siberian ginseng led to better visual range and light sensitivity, which lasted for two months after they stopped taking the herb.
Siberian Ginseng As A Performance Enhancer
Whether you’re an athlete or just want to have the energy to go for a walk, Siberian ginseng’s performance-enhancing effects may benefit you.
A review of recent research found 13 clinical trials that showed benefits in improving capacity for physical work, recovery times after vigorous activity, increasing stamina, and improving function of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
A more recent study tested a dose of 800mg of Siberian ginseng extract for its effects on cardio performance. After eight weeks of supplementation, average endurance time rose from 33 minutes to 42 minutes, while the placebo group saw no gains. Those who received Siberian ginseng also had significantly higher oxygen uptake, with a lower rating of perceived exertion, too.
How Siberian Ginseng Can Support Immunity
Besides its performance-enhancing properties, Siberian ginseng’s popularity as a remedy for chronic fatigue is also thanks to its effects on the immune system.
One large, early trial compared Siberian ginseng to vitamin C, the drug dibasol, and a placebo over two months of treatment. The Siberian ginseng group was the least likely to get sick, with only 5% falling ill compared to rates of 6-8% in the other groups. Other studies found that children taking Siberian ginseng every day for two months had a 10% lower risk of any infection, and a 60% lower risk of pneumonia. Their counts of B cells and T cells were 20% and 25% higher respectively, meaning their immune systems were more able to remove infections and “learn” how to respond before symptoms could appear in the future.
Siberian Ginseng And Blood Sugar Metabolism
Type II diabetes makes up over 90% of all diabetes cases worldwide. Unlike the autoimmune type I category, it’s mostly lifestyle-related and can even be reversed in some cases by changing your diet, lifestyle, or environment.
Siberian ginseng may be an effective herbal helper if you have type II diabetes, or have metabolic syndrome and want to prevent it from becoming diabetes. A study of 75 people who had diabetes for at least seven years compared Siberian ginseng, Korean ginseng, or a placebo in addition to their usual medication. After three months, only those taking Siberian ginseng saw any significant benefit. Their levels of glycated hemoglobin fell from 7.4% to 6.6%, which is a measure of how much unabsorbed sugar has damaged red blood cells.
Better yet, Siberian ginseng may help your body heal from the long-term damage that poor blood sugar control causes. Peripheral neuropathy improved too, with thresholds for detecting both pain and general sensation falling in both the volunteers’ left and right legs.
How Should I Take Siberian Ginseng?
Siberian ginseng may be more effective when cycled, instead of taking it every day. A Western study of the herb tested its benefits in older adults, using a health-related quality of life score. After four weeks, taking 300mg of its extract every day improved “social functioning” from 48.2 to 53.9, mental health from 46.3 to 51.3, and mental functioning from 43.4 to 50.4. By eight weeks, these scores had partially fallen. This means that even if you are taking Siberian ginseng to achieve long term results, it’s probably best to take it for one month, then take a break the next month in a cycle.
Sample Siberian Ginseng With Zhi Herbals
Zhi Herbals is proud to offer you high-quality, organic Siberian ginseng root. Finely chopped or powdered for your convenience, you can use it as a tea, decoction, or tincture, either alone or in combination with other herbal remedies.
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References
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2. Lee, D., Park, J., Yoon, J., Kim, M. Y., Choi, H. Y., & Kim, H. (2012). Neuroprotective effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus bark on transient global cerebral ischemia in rats. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 139(1), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.024
3. Kuo, J., Chen, K. W., Cheng, I. S., Tsai, P. H., Lu, Y. J., & Lee, N. Y. (2010). The effect of eight weeks of supplementation with Eleutherococcus senticosus on endurance capacity and metabolism in human. The Chinese journal of physiology, 53(2), 105–111. https://doi.org/10.4077/cjp.2010.amk018
4. No authors given. (2006). Eleutherococcus senticosus. Alternative medicine review, 11(2), 151-155.
5. Freye, E. & Gleske, J. (2013). Siberian Ginseng Results in Beneficial Effects on Glucose Metabolism in Diabetes Type 2 Patients: A Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Study in Comparison to Panax Ginseng. International Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1(1), 11-17.
6. Cicero, A. F., Derosa, G., Brillante, R., Bernardi, R., Nascetti, S., & Gaddi, A. (2004). Effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim.) on elderly quality of life: a randomized clinical trial. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics. Supplement, (9), 69–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2004.04.012