Your Total Guide To Adaptogens | Part 9 | Eleuthero

Eleuthero, also known as Ci Wu Jia or Wu Jia Pi, Siberian ginseng, or Russian Root, is an adaptogenic herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Its scientific name is Eleutherococcus senticosus, and its pharmaceutical name is Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Senticosi, and it belongs to the same family as ginseng.

Western Science:

Eleuthero has been studied extensively in Western scientific research, and it has been found to have a wide range of potential health benefits. It is known to be an adaptogen, which means that it helps the body to adapt to stress and maintain balance. Some of the potential benefits of Eleuthero include:

Immune System Support: Eleuthero has been found to stimulate the immune system, helping the body to fight off infections and diseases.
Mental Clarity: Eleuthero has been found to improve cognitive function, including memory and concentration. It has been used for Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more.
Physical Endurance: Eleuthero has been found to increase physical endurance, making it useful for athletes, and it was a popular herb for athletes in the Soviet Union.
Stress Relief: Eleuthero has been found to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.
Increases microcirculation: Siberian ginseng were found to decrease plasma digoxin concentration and cause herb drug interaction, this is true for many herbs, and those are often the same herbs that can be used to increase blood circulation. Siberian ginseng is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels such as high blood pressure, low blood pressure, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and rheumatic heart disease, and high cholesterol,

Additionally, Siberian ginseng has been used in the treatment of the side effects of chemotherapy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):

Herbs that Tonify Qi: (Herbs that Dispel Wind-Dampness for the peel only)

(Acrid, Slightly Bitter, Warm, goes to the Heart, Spleen, and Kidneys.)

According to traditional Chinese medicine, Eleuthero is a warming herb that enters the spleen, kidney, and heart channels. It is considered to have sweet, bitter, and slightly warm properties.

Some of the traditional uses of Eleuthero in Chinese medicine include:

Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi to help in the transformation and transportation of food and waste
Warms the Kidneys to tonify Yang
Warms the Spleen (The TCM Spleen does not refer to the Western medicine organ spleen.)
Strengthens the Heart Qi and calms the Shen (mind)
Invigorates the Blood and unblocks the Collaterals. (Promotes circulation) (In TCM, the term “collaterals” refers to a network of pathways that connect the meridians and are responsible for distributing Qi and Blood throughout the body. These pathways are considered to be secondary channels, branching off from the main meridians and extending to various areas of the body, including the limbs, torso, head, and face. The collaterals are believed to play a crucial role in maintaining overall health and wellness, as they help to regulate the flow of qi and blood and promote the balance of yin and yang energies.unblocking the collaterals helps with poor peripheral circulation with Blood Stasis signs)
Supporting Qi: Siberian ginseng supports the body’s vital energy, or Qi, or Prana, helping to improve overall health and vitality.
Calming the Mind: Eleuthero works on the Heart, which houses the Mind or Shen, and in this way has a calming effect on the mind, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.

Overall, Eleuthero is a versatile herb that has been used in both traditional Chinese medicine and in the West for its potential health benefits, with the majority of documented use and research being from China and the Soviet Union. China separates Eleuthero into the root, and the bark of the root, with the bark having very different effects. Wu Jia Pi, or the bark, is mostly used for urinary difficulties and edema of the legs, ankles or knees.(Cold leg Damp Qi)