Eleuthero
Eleutherococcus senticosus · 刺五加
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine and Western & European.
Also called Ci wu jia, Siberian ginseng, Eleuthero root
Pinyin: Cì Wǔ Jiā
Spanish: Eleuterococo
Possible heart medicine interactionsA woody shrub root sold as an adaptogen, a supplement said to help the body handle stress and tiredness.
Did you know? Soviet researchers tested eleuthero in athletes and cosmonauts (space travelers) starting in the 1960s, which helped make it a famous adaptogen.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Energy & tiredness. Several small trials report less tiredness in healthy or stressed people. Results are mixed, and many trials are small or old.Early proof
- Stress & anxiety. Some small trials suggest better stress tolerance. Evidence is mixed and of low quality.Early proof
- Colds, flu & immunity. Lab and animal studies suggest immune effects. Human trials are few and inconsistent.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Energy & metabolism, Brain & mind, Nerves & pain, Immune system
Traditional use
Traditional Chinese medicine uses ci wu jia to tonify Qi, strengthen the Spleen and Kidney and calm the spirit. Russian researchers later developed it as an adaptogen, a term for herbs thought to help the body resist stress.
How it is classified
How people take it
Studies vary widely in dose, often using standardized extracts for several weeks. Traditional decoctions use about 9 to 15 g of dried root.
Tea, decoction, capsule, tincture and powder.
Where to get it
Grows wild in northeast China, Korea, Japan and Russia. Sold as dried root, extract, capsules, tincture and tea. Some products sold as Siberian ginseng contain other species, so check the botanical name.
Be careful
Common side effects are sleeplessness, headache, nervousness and upset stomach. Some users report higher blood pressure. Stop it before surgery, since it can affect blood pressure and heart rhythm in some people.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; high blood pressure; insomnia; bipolar disorder.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Eleuthero and schisandra are both used as adaptogens for fatigue and stress in modern supplement blends.
- Works well together
Eleuthero and huang qi are both used as Qi tonics in Chinese and Western herbal blends.
- Works well together
Both are adaptogen herbs sold for tiredness and stress. Human proof is limited for each.
- Use cautionHeart rhythm medicine (digoxin, amiodarone)
One case report found high digoxin readings in a man taking eleuthero. The cause is unclear and may be a lab test problem. People on digoxin should check with a clinician.
- Use cautionBlood pressure medicine (lisinopril, amlodipine, losartan)
Eleuthero may affect blood pressure in some people. Monitor readings if you take blood pressure medicine.
Found in these formulas
Adaptogen stack (Modern)
The honest take
Eleuthero is a popular adaptogen. Some small trials show modest gains in energy and stress tolerance, but many trials are old, small or poorly designed, and products vary widely. It is not proven to fix fatigue, and its effects on heart and blood pressure drugs need care.