Siberian ginseng, or Eleutherococcus senticosus, which has purple or yellow flowers and round, black berries, is a shrub native to the Far East. Its twisted, brown roots have medicinal properties and for this reason, Siberian ginseng has been traditionally used in parts of China and Russia to treat a variety of conditions. Though, some research has been conducted about the benefits and side effects of Siberian ginseng, its production and use are not completely regulated and thus, it is important to talk to a physician before taking it.
Administration
Siberian ginseng supplements are extracted from the roots and they consist of two components known as eleutherosides and polysaccharides that may be responsible for this herb's medicinal properties. The supplements are available in powder, tablet, capsule and tea forms. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, however, warns against the use of Siberian ginseng for children. The dosage for adults depends upon the condition of the patient and may range from 500 to 3000mg per day in capsule or tea form. Siberian ginseng can be taken for long periods of time to treat chronic conditions. MedlinePlus also recommends 400mg of Siberian ginseng extract per day to treat herpes simplex virus infections. Always consult a trained professional before choosing the dosage of Siberian ginseng extract.
Benefits
Siberian ginseng supplements have traditionally been used to treat conditions such as the common cold and herpes simplex virus infections and to improve the quality of life especially in the elderly. An article in the January 2002 edition of the Guardian states that eleutherosides found in Siberian ginseng extract may act as adaptogens, which help the body adjust to extreme conditions such as chemotherapy and severe viral infections. Another study published in the January 2004 edition of "Psychological Medicine" concluded that Siberian ginseng may help patients suffering from fatigue for more than six months with no known cause.
Other studies, such as the one published in the 2004 supplement of "Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics" have found that Siberian ginseng helps improve mental health and social functioning in hypertensive people over the age of 65 years after four weeks of therapy. The UMMC also recommends this herb to treat and prevent the common cold, flu and herpes viral infections.
Side Effects
Siberian ginseng may be well tolerated by most people. However, according to MedlinePlus, it may cause side effects such as drowsiness, irregular heart rhythm, sadness, anxiety and muscle spasms. High doses of the herb may also increase blood pressure and should be avoided by those with cardiovascular conditions. MedlinePlus also states that Siberian ginseng may have estrogenic properties and should not be used by people suffering from hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
Drug Interactions
UMMC warns that Siberian ginseng supplements may interfere with heart medications such as digoxin and certain anticoagulants and sedatives. MedlinePlus says that Siberian ginseng extracts may slow down the metabolism and action of certain medications in the liver and when taken along with diabetic drugs, they may lead to excessive drop in blood sugar. Always talk to your doctor before taking this herb.
Precautions
As with any herb, the production and use of Siberian ginseng has not been completely regulated. In fact, according to UMMC, about 25 percent of Siberian ginseng products in the market had no herb in them at all. The herb may also cause serious side effects and interfere with other medications and hence, it is very important to consult a physician before taking this herb.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Siberian ginseng
- MedlinePlus: Ginseng, Siberian
- guardian.co.uk: Nature's Pharmacy
- "Psychological Medicine"; Randomized controlled trial of Siberian ginseng for chronic fatigue.; Hartz AJ et al; January 2004
- "Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Supplement"; Effects Of Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticosus Maxim.) On Elderly Quality Of Life: A Randmized Clinical Trial; A.F.G. Cicero et al; 2004
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