Siberian ginseng is known for its "adaptogenic" qualities, which means that the herb may help you better cope with stress. Although recommended for a variety of uses, from improving mental clarity to enhancing athletic performance, Siberian ginseng doesn't have a lot of clinical research under its belt. In the United States, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration regulates Siberian ginseng as a dietary supplement, meaning the herb can make no claims to treat or cure any specific medical problem.
History
Siberian ginseng goes by other common names, such as eleuthero, ci wu jia, touch-me-not and devil's shrub. According to the University of Michigan Health System, Siberian ginseng is only distantly related to panax or Asian ginseng. Native to the Far East, it was used 2,000 years ago in Chinese medicine for respiratory infections, colds and flu, as well for its adaptogenic properties. Russia used Siberian ginseng for similar purposes, and Soviet Olympic athletes currently use it as a performance enhancer. The health system goes on to state that after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, many people took Siberian ginseng to help them fight off the effects of radiation.
Recommended Uses
According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), there are a variety of suggested modern uses for Siberian ginseng. These include protection from colds and flu, herpes type 2 virus and the devastating side effects of chemotherapy. Siberian ginseng is also suggested to increase mental clarity, physical stamina, mental health and social functioning. The cancer center indicates that research indicates that Siberian ginseng is not helpful for mental or physical prowess, and there's no research to indicate that it's beneficial during chemotherapy or as an immune-system booster. Limited clinical trials indicate that Siberian ginseng is helpful for colds, flu and herpes, according to the UMMC.
Properties and Preparations
The UMMC tells us that the active constituents in Siberian ginseng are derived from its root and consist of eleutherosides, believed to have indeterminate medicinal properties, as well as polysaccharides, which have been found to be beneficial to enhance immune system health and lower blood sugar in in vivo testing. Preparations available include liquid and solid extracts--capsules, tablets and powders. You can also purchase the dried root and brew it into tea. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, scientists are unsure how Siberian ginseng works in the human body.
Cautions & Concerns
If you take Siberian ginseng as directed, it's generally considered safe, according to the UMMC. Do not take it if you have hypertension, narcolepsy or sleep apnea, or if you're pregnant or nursing. Don't give Siberian ginseng to children. Side effects associated with Siberian ginseng include insomnia, drowsiness, elevated blood pressure, headache, irregular heart beat, nosebleeds and confusion.
Drug Interactions
Siberian ginseng may interact with certain medications, cautions the UMMC. Speak with your doctor before using it if you take digoxin, a drug used to treat heart conditions; blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin; insomnia medications, especially barbituates such as pentobarbital. Siberian ginseng may not be the appropriate dietary supplement to take for your health condition. Before using it, please consult with your doctor.
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