This Siberian ginseng (that’s not really ginseng) was the first plant to be classified as an adaptogen. It's ideal for improving performance, stamina and recovery in athletes.
Do you feel run down and exhausted? Are you struggling to focus or stay productive? If so, eleuthero may be the herb for you! Eleuthero is a powerful adaptogen that has been in Russia and parts of Asia for about 2000 years. It was the first plant to be classified as an adaptogen by Russian researchers who introduced it to the West. It has been observed to improve stamina, recovery, oxygen intake, and performance in athletes. It also has remarkable secondary benefits to immune health and cognitive function. It is a safe and natural way to increase vitality and get more out of life.
Eleuthero is an herbal extract that comes from the roots of a woody shrub in Northern China and Russia. It is also sometimes referred to as "Siberian ginseng", although it is not technically in the Ginseng family. The herb gets its nickname from its similarity in appearance to ginseng root. Eleuthero is a slender, thorny shrub with long, woody, and pliable tan-colored roots. The active components in eleuthero are eleutherosides, triterpenoid saponins, coumarins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and caffeic acid.
This root has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and Russian folk medicine. It was used to increase stamina and vitality, and to prevent colds and flu. Eleuthero is still used for these purposes today. The herb is often taken as a dietary supplement in capsules or tablets, or as a liquid extract or tea. Eleuthero is a safe and effective way to increase energy levels, improve focus and cognition, and strengthen the immune system. The herb is non-addictive and does not have any major side effects.
Eleuthero is most well-known for its ability to increase energy levels and improve stamina--particularly the ability to perform for extended periods without burnout or exhaustion. The herb works primarily by optimizing the body's use of lipids and spare glycogen. This leads to increased ATP production (the body's energy molecule), reduced lactic acid buildup, and better use of blood glucose and lipids.
Its five different Eleutherosides work in complex ways to increase endurance, reduce inflammation, improve mental clarity, and reduce the onset of fatigue during strenuous physical activity. Eleuthero is sometimes referred to as a "natural caffeine" because it provides a gentle energy boost without the jitters or crashes associated with coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
Eleuthero also has definite cognitive-enhancing effects. It's heralded as an effective remedy against mental fatigue and for improving concentration and mood. This is likely because it increases blood circulation in the brain. There is some evidence to suggest that Eleutherosides have regenerative effects on neural synapses and protect against cell death. In some elderly patients, its been reported to improve memory, attention span, and reaction time, but more studies are required on that subject. But wait, there’s more. Eleuthero also increases levels of serotonin (which regulates depression), epinephrine (which improves mood), and dopamine (which increases pleasure) neurotransmitters.
In addition to its energizing effects, eleuthero also strengthens the immune system. Eleutherosides in Eleuthero activate innate immunity in the body, making the body less prone to getting sick. The herb accomplishes this by stimulating the production of immunocompetent cells--white blood cells that protect against pathogens--and interferon. Interferon is a type of protein that helps protect cells from toxicity and viral infections. The increased production of white blood cells and interferon helps to fight off infections and improve overall immune health. For these properties alone, Eleuthero is commonly used to prevent or shorten the duration of colds and the flu.
The recommended dosage is 1 - 3 grams per day in powder form or 50 - 100 drops, three times per day as a tincture.
If consuming Eleuthero for its immune-boosting properties, start daily dosing at the first sign of ailment or during changing seasons. For its energy and performance enhancing effects, take the daily recommended dose in the recovery phase of training. Eleuthero may also be consumed as a caffeine/coffee replacement in the morning or midday for a lift in brain function.
