Siberian Ginseng (Acanthopanax Senticosus, Devil's Bush, Eleuthero, eleutherococcus, Eleutherococcus Senticosus, Shigoka, Thorny Pepperbrush, Touch Me Not, Untouchable, Wild Pepper)

Suggested dosing of Acanthopanax Senticosus, Devil's Bush (Siberian ginseng)

0.6-3 g dried root PO qDay

400 mg standardized extract PO qDay/TId

Therapy for 30-60 days, followed by 2-3 weeks off

Extract standardized to 0.3% eleutheroside e

 

Suggested uses of Acanthopanax Senticosus, Devil's Bush (Siberian ginseng)

Adaptogen: adapt to internal/external stressors, fight fatigue, increase stamina

Reduce severity/duration of herpes simplex type II infections

Arterosclerosis, athletic/work performance enhancement, chronic fatigue syndrome, craniocerebral trauma, diabetes, fibromyalgia, hypertension/hypotension, immunostimulant, neuroses

 

Efficacy

Possibly effective for common cold and herpes simplex virus type 2

Possibly ineffective for athletic performance

Insufficient reliable evidence on chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive performance, heart disease, influenza, ischemic stroke and quality of life

 

Acanthopanax Senticosus, Devil's Bush (Siberian ginseng) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Anxiety

Drowsiness

Headache

Hypertension

Hypoglycemia

Insomnia

Irritability

Mastalgia

Muscle spasms

Nerve inflammation

Palpitations

Pericardial pain

Tachycardia

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Breast cancer, endometrial cancer, endometriosis, febrile conditions, hormone sensitive conditions, hypertension, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids

 

Cautions

CAD, cardiovascular disorders, mania, MI, psychiatric disorders, rheumatic heart disease, schizophrenia

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Acanthopanax Senticosus, Devil's Bush (Siberian ginseng)

Mechanism of action

Eleuthorosides A through M modulate pituitary-adrenocortical axis

Antioxidant and immunostimulant activity