Siberian Ginseng or Eleuthro (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is an adaptogenic herb. That means it helps our bodies cope with stress. Eleuthro increases our tolerance for stress by acting upon the adrenal medulla. The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys. The adrenal medulla is the central part of the adrenal gland, and it is connected with the sympathetic fibers/fight or flight mechanism of the autonomic nervous system. During times of stress, the hypothalamus will send a signal along the sympathetic pathways to the adrenal medulla to alert the body to address the stress: pupils dilate, heart rate accelerates, breathing becomes shallower, digestion function is curtailed and there is a release of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine.
Eleuthro supports our resistance to stress, making it a great herb to take during the winter season – particularly during times of stress. Winter + COVID. You can take it in pill or tincture form. It’s best to take it for a few months, but not every day, or
all year long.
Other great adaptogens include ashwaganda, rhodiola and shatavari. More about those in future blogs.
If you have cardiovascular issues or are hypertensive, please check with your doctor before taking this or any new herb or supplement.