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OVERVIEW
Eleuthero or Siberian ginseng is the root or stem of shrub that belongs to the ginseng family. It is commonly known as touch-me-not and devil’s shrub. This herb is grown in the Northern China, Eastern Russia, Japan and Korea. Commonly its root and underground stem (rhizomes) are used in the medicines. This herb is medicinally used to enhance the immune system and its responses as well as increasing the
stamina. It is thought to facilitate memory and concentration. It is helpful in relieving the fatigue and the reducing ability to work. Eleuthero also shows its activity in stressful situation and helpful for those suffering from stress. It is traditional Chinese medicine used as a remedy for the insomnia.
2,000 years ago, the Chinese used Eleuthero as a toner for stimulating the energy production. From the early 1950s research in Russia, the Chinese derives the use of Eleuthero. The Chinese used this herb as a medicine to regulate the body functions, restore strength/energy, and improve appetite and maintaining the health. It was also used by Chinese to protect from respiratory tract infections, cold and flu. The people of Siberian Taiga region in Russia was used this herb to enhance the quality and performance of life and to reduce the rate of infections. In the more modern days, eleuthero has been used to enhance the stamina in athletes.
Russian researcher I. I. Brekhman has explained that Eleuthero acts as an adaptogen (an agent that helps the body adapt to stress) which reduces the frequency of functional disorders in organisms. It has unspecified action to regulate the body functions what ever the conditions are. Early 1950s studies indicated that extract of eleuthero enhances the mental attentiveness, work output as well as quality of work during the stressful situations. It is also shown to improve the athlete’s performance. Besides these, it is strongly stimulating the immune system. German authorities believed that Eleuthero is a stimulating tonic for the fatigue, reduced working performance and in the lack of
concentration.
| RESEARCH BASED USAGE OF ELEUTHERO: |
IMMUNOSTIMULANT BY ACTION:
Eleuthero has been traditionally used to support the immune system. It is thought to enhance the immune response by stimulating the production of T- cells (special types of white blood cell that kills the foreign diseased particles). Certain studies also shown, that tincture of eleuthero can improve the function of immune system by increasing the number of T-lymphocytes. These cells are reduced during the autoimmune disorders such as AIDS and
HIV infections. ADAPTOGENIC ACTION: Eleuthero can act as an adaptogen which has the ability to adapt the body during stressful conditions. It performs this action by supporting the adrenal gland function that helps the body to cope with stress through the release of certain hormones. ENHANCE METAL PERFORMANCE: The stress
reduction ability of Eleuthero is also helpful in the treatments of mental problem such as depression. Some researches have shown that it improves memory and concentration by maintaining the balance levels of mood determining brain chemicals. When a 3 month study on this herb is performed, indicated that it can improve the concentration and memory of middle aged people. ENHANCE ATHLETES PERFORMANCE: Eleuthero is also useful in improving the athlete’s performance by increasing the
muscle strength and stamina. Research has shown that it improves the use of oxygen by exercising muscles so that the person is able to maintain oxygen dependent exercise and recover more quickly. SIDE EFFECTS OF ELEUTHERO: Properly administered Eleuthero shows very rare side effects. When there is appearance of any side effect, immediately stop its usage and concern with the health experts. Headache, nerve ness, and sleep disorder are common side effects. This herb is not used by the people who have high blood pressure. In some of the individuals
diarrhea is reported when using this herb. |
