Siberian ginseng, or Eleutherococcus senticosus, is a medicinal herb that has been used for centuries in many different Asian and Eastern European countries. You can find Siberian ginseng as a liquid or solid extract, powder, capsule, tablet or tea from the dried or cut root. You can take the dried root at a dosage of 500 to 3,000 mg daily as a tea or in capsules or the tincture at a rate of ½ to 1 teaspoon two to three times daily. Take approximately 100 to 200 mg of the standardized 0.8 to 1-percent eleutherosides Band E extract twice daily. For treating chronic conditions, you can take Siberian ginseng in cycles of three months with two to three weeks off in between.
Treating Stress and Fatigue
Siberian ginseng can have an energizing effect on your body, helping to treat fatigue and stress. In Russia and other parts of the world, Siberian ginseng is used as an "adaptogen" to help the body cope with mental and physical stress, as well as to "increase energy, longevity and vitality," says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Siberian ginseng has also been used to prevent stress-related illness and "is thought to help support the adrenal gland function when the body is challenged by stress," notes the University of Michigan Health System. The University of Michigan also says that Siberian ginseng may be helpful in treating chronic fatigue syndrome.
Improving Athletic Performance
Siberian ginseng may also increase your physical endurance. Scientific research suggests that Siberian ginseng helps exercising muscles use oxygen more efficiently, thus helping your body "maintain aerobic exercise longer and recover from workouts more quickly," the University of Michigan Health System says. Although studies have yielded mostly mixed results in proving its effectiveness, Siberian ginseng is often recommended to increase muscle strength and improve physical stamina, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Boosting the Immune System
Siberian ginseng contains complex sugar molecules called polysaccharides and constituents called eleutherosides, several of which have been extensively studied for their effects on the immune system. These constituents may help support your immune system, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Studies of healthy individuals taking 2 teaspoons of Siberian ginseng tincture three times daily have found that the individuals experienced increases in the numbers of T4 lymphocytes, which are immune cells, the University of Michigan says. The University of Maryland Medical Center points to a four-week-long medical study of healthy individuals that found that the participants improved their immune system function after taking Siberian ginseng extract.
Treating Common Colds, Flu and Sore Throat
One of the most common uses for Siberian ginseng supplements is treating and preventing colds and flu. Several double-blind studies have found that taking Siberian ginseng reduces the length and severity of cold and flu symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although some people take Siberian ginseng to prevent colds and flu, "it has not yet been specifically studied for this purpose," notes the University of Michigan Health System.
Improving Mental Performance
Siberian ginseng is also popularly used to boost mental performance. Siberian ginseng may help restore or maintain mental alertness, and preliminary studies indicate that it may also improve memory, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other studies indicate that Siberian ginseng can improve mental health and social functioning in elderly individuals.
Treating Herpes
Siberian ginseng may help treat the herpes simplex virus, specifically type 2 genital herpes. Studies have found that taking Siberian ginseng can reduce the severity, frequency and duration of herpes outbreaks, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Siberian ginseng's immune-system benefits may also help in treating other similar diseases like HIV by increasing the number of T4 immune cells that tend to decrease from HIV infection and AIDS, notes the University of Michigan Health System.
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