Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) For A Healthy Brain And Immune System

Key Takeaways

Eleuthero Benefits

1. Combating Stress and Fatigue

Eleuthero manages stress by supporting adrenal glands and activating AMPK for energy. It also triggers BDNF for neuron growth and maintenance.

2. Improving Cognition

Eleuthero enhances cognition by improving circulation and blood flow to the brain. Compounds in eleuthero help synthesize acetylcholine in the hippocampus, improving memory and focus.

3. Reducing Inflammation

Eleuthero blocks the COX-2 enzyme to reduce inflammation and pain. It also minimizes swelling and improves lymphatic function, potentially alleviating allergy symptoms.

4. Supporting Physical Stamina

Eleuthero enhances athletic performance by improving cardiorespiratory fitness and oxygen delivery to muscles.

What is Eleuthero?

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus, Siberian Ginseng) is an adaptogen, which means it helps your body adapt to stress, by acting on the adrenals and mediating your body's stress response. Adaptogens are generally well-tolerated, non-allergic, and can be taken long-term.

Eleuthero is a native habitat of the Far East, especially in China, Korea, and eastern Russia.

It has nervine action and offers cognitive support, aids the immune system's health, and can support healthy cholesterol levels and heart health during stressful times.

In addition to being a good everyday adaptogen, eleuthero is an excellent adaptogen for athletes because it supports endurance, shortens recovery time, and protects the immune system during hard training.

Eleuthero also supports sleep quality without causing drowsiness during the day. It also helps to lower blood sugar levels.

Eleuthero Benefits

1 - Combating Stress And Fatigue

As we mentioned before, eleuthero is an adaptogen, meaning it's generally a well-tolerated herb that mediates the stress response. In addition, it supports adrenal gland function, the gland responsible for cortisol and other stress hormones, when you experience stress.

Eleutherosides activate Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), which speeds up the metabolism and breaks down fats to produce energy.

Eleuthero may also activate the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which increases the growth, development, and maintenance of neurons in the brain and nervous system. [1]

Studies have shown that it can have anti-fatigue, neuroprotective, and antidepressant effects. [2]

In other words, Eleuthero root can act as a tonic herb and a mild stimulant, impacting fatigue immediately and continuing to work overtime to restore energy.

2 - Improving cognition

Eleuthero increases circulation, and better circulation increases blood flow to the brain, improving mental functions such as memory and focus.

Researchers found that compounds in eleuthero improve learning and memory because they help the body recycle choline and synthesize more acetylcholine in the hippocampus.

In a study of 30 elderly people treated for high blood pressure, eleuthero modestly improved brain function. [3]

In studies concerning Alzheimer's disease, high doses of eleuthero improved memory and learning. Eleutherosides B and E increased acetylcholine in the brain's hippocampus, improving communication between neurons. [4]

High levels of stress damage the brain's ability to learn, form new memories, and retrieve existing memories. The stress-reducing effects of eleuthero may help restore memory deficits when caused by stress. [5]

Eleuthero's antioxidants help improve memory by combating oxidative stress, which affects both short and long memory. [6]

Other studies show the potential of eleuthero as a general neuroprotective for disorders like Parkinson's disease. Eleuthero was especially effective in preventing Parkinson-associated slow movements and certain types of seizures.

3 - Reducing Inflammation

Eleuthero is a promising agent for preventing inflammation.

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is an enzyme that increases inflammation and pain. Commonly used Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) mainly work by blocking it. The extract of eleuthero fruit activates an enzyme called heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), which blocks COX-2 and thereby reduces inflammation. [7] [8] [9]

Within four hours of taking eleuthero, healthy women had reduced swelling in their lower legs. Eleutheroside E appears to activate a receptor called Tie2, which stabilizes lymph vessels and improves the function of the lymphatic system. [10]

Eleuthero may also reduce allergy symptoms. Mast cells, a type of white blood cell, are responsible for most allergic reactions; eleuthero reduced the activity of mast cells. [11]

4- Supporting Physical Stamina

Eleuthero is often promoted as an athletic performance enhancer.

The plant shows remarkable protective benefits under conditions of oxygen deprivation, like intense training.

Researchers attribute this to Eleuthero’s ability to boost cardiorespiratory fitness and fat metabolism by enhancing oxygen delivery to recovering muscles. [12]

Safety and Side Effects

Eleuthero is generally well-tolerated, and recent clinical studies didn’t report any side effects. The medicinal use of eleuthero is recognized and approved by several governmental agencies.

If you follow the recommended dosage, you should be able to enjoy the herb’s all-natural health improvements. These include better energy and antioxidant effects.