Siberian Ginseng

(eleutherococcus senticosus)

Physical and Mental Performance, and Immunity

In 35 clinical trials involving over 2100 healthy subjects oral administration of a 33% ethanol root extract (2.0–20.0 ml, daily for up to 60 days) improved physical and mental work performance under stress conditions and the incidence of illness (Farnsworth et al., 1985). A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study compared cognitive function measurements in 24 subjects who took eleuthero (625 mg twice daily), Ginkgo biloba (28.2 mg flavonolglycosides daily), or placebo. Significant improvements in selective memory, feelings of well being, and levels of activity of the eleuthero group versus the placebo group (p<0.02) were demonstrated (1,3).

Endurance

A single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial lasting eight days investigated the effect of eleuthero extract (2 ml, twice daily) on working capacity and fatigue of six male athletes, ages 21–22. Oxygen uptake, heart rate, total work, and exhaustion time were measured. Significant results were observed in all parameters, particularly the 23.3% increase in total work noted in the eleuthero test group compared with 7.5% in the placebo group (2).

Approved in Europe

The German Commission E herbal regulatory authority approved siberian ginseng as a tonic in times of fatigue and debility, declining capacity for work or concentration, and during convalescence. The Commission E reported that the endurance and lymphocyte count in healthy volunteers, especially T-lymphocytes, increased following intake of fluid extracts. (4)

References-Siberian Ginseng