Eleuthero
Also called: Siberian ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus
An adaptogenic root used for stamina, stress, and mild fatigue. Despite its common name, it is not true ginseng, and studies are mixed.
Supplements can interact with medications and aren't right for everyone, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with a chronic condition. Ask your provider before you start.
Studied for
- Stress-related fatigue
- Stamina and endurance
- Immune support during stress
Found naturally in
- Eleuthero root, a shrub from northeast Asia and Siberia, traditionally used as a tea or tincture
Label red flags
- Sold as 'ginseng' without the species, since it is a different plant from Panax ginseng
- Species not listed
Check with a provider
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: not well studied
- High blood pressure
- Taking digoxin. It can interfere with digoxin blood tests.
- Taking diabetes medicine, blood thinners, or sedatives
- Autoimmune conditions or immune-suppressing medicines. It may stimulate the immune system, so ask your provider first.
Usually found in adaptogen and stress formulas, energy formulas. Browse Dr. Lesher's dispensary
Parts of the body it affects
Explore what each area does and the conditions that can affect it.
Adrenal glands
These small glands on top of your kidneys make cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline, which manage energy, blood pressure, and your stress response.
Blood & immune system
Blood carries oxygen and nutrients, and white blood cells defend you from infection. In autoimmune disease, that defense system targets your own tissues.
Illustrations: Servier Medical Art, CC BY 4.0
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.