Immune System Disorders/ Siberian Ginseng

[Guest guest]

Note: In addition to the Western contraindications and cautions,

one also needs to consider the Chinese Cautions and

Contraindications. In the case of Siberian Ginseng these include

Yin Deficiency with Heat. (I also would be cautious in some cases of

Qi Stagnation.)

 

Chinese scientists prefer the older pharmaceutical name Acanthopanax

senticosus.

 

http://www.ajc.com/health/altmed/shared/health/alt_medicine/ConsHerbs

/GinsengSiberianch.html

 

Siberian Ginseng

 

Botanical Name: Eleutherococcus senticosus/Acanthopanax

senticosus

Common Names: Eleuthero

 

 

Overview

Plant Description

What's It Made Of?

Available Forms

How to Take It

Precautions

Possible Interactions

Supporting Research

 

 

 

 

 

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Overview

 

Eleuthero, which is known in the United States as Siberian ginseng,

has been used for centuries in China and Russia. Although a distant

relative of American and Asian ginsengs (Panax sp.), with some

overlap in its uses, Siberian ginseng is a distinct plant with

different active chemical components. Prized for its ability to

restore vigor, increase longevity, enhance overall health, and

stimulate both a healthy appetite and a good memory, it is widely

used in Russia to help the body adapt to stressful conditions and to

enhance productivity.

 

In Chinese medicine, it is valued for its beneficial effects on " qi "

and its ability to treat " yang " deficiency in the spleen and kidney.

Like the panax ginsengs, Siberian ginseng is considered to be an

adaptogen, which means that it helps in stressful circumstances and

also helps return the body to a normal balance. So, for example, an

adaptogen might lower blood pressure in someone who has high blood

pressure, but raise it in another person who has low blood pressure.

The active ingredients in Siberian ginseng, eleutherosides (similar

to ginsenosides in the panax species), are thought to increase

stamina and to stimulate the immune system.

 

Until recently, most scientific research on Siberian ginseng took

place in Russia. This research has largely supported its use to

maintain health and strengthen the system rather than to treat

particular disorders. Siberian ginseng may help the body deal with

physically and mentally stressful exposures such as heat, cold,

physical exhaustion, viruses, bacteria, chemicals, extreme working

conditions, noise, and pollution. By strengthening the system, it

may also help prevent illness.

 

Research on Siberian ginseng has included studies on the following:

 

Immune System

A 4-week study in healthy subjects found that those who received

Siberian ginseng extract had improvements in a number of measures

that reflect the functioning of the immune system.

 

Mental Performance

A 3-month human study of Siberian ginseng among middle aged

volunteers found that there was a significant improvement in memory

and concentration as compared to placebo.

 

Another popular but unproven use of Siberian ginseng is to maintain

or restore mental alertness.

 

Physical Performance

Although Siberian ginseng is frequently used to enhance physical

stamina and increase muscle strength, studies have shown mixed

results for these purposes.

 

Male Fertility

Siberian ginseng has a long history of folkloric use for male

infertility. Animal studies suggest that Siberian ginseng may be

helpful in increasing reproductive capacity.

 

Viral Infection

In a laboratory study, an extract of Siberian ginseng slowed the

replication of certain viruses, including influenza A (which causes

the flu) as well as human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus

(both of which cause symptoms of the common cold). It had no effect,

however, in test tubes on adenovirus (another cause of the common

cold and other respiratory infections) or herpes simplex virus type

1 (which generally causes oral herpes lesions). But, a 6-month study

of 93 people with herpes simplex virus type 2 (which generally

causes genital herpes lesions) found that Siberian ginseng reduced

frequency, severity, and duration of outbreaks. Talk to your doctor

about whether it is safe or appropriate for you to use Siberian

ginseng to try to prevent herpes outbreaks.

 

 

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Plant Description

 

Siberian ginseng is a shrub that grows 3 to 10 feet high. Its leaves

are attached to a main stem by long branches. Both the branches and

the stem are covered with thorns. Flowers, yellow or violet, grow in

umbrella-shaped clusters, and turn into round, black berries in late

summer. The root itself is woody and is brownish, wrinkled, and

twisted.

 

 

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What's It Made Of?

 

Siberian ginseng products are made from the root. The root contains

a mixture of components, common to many plants but occurring

together in Siberian ginseng, called eleutherosides. Among the other

ingredients are chemicals called polysaccharides, which have been

found to boost the immune system and lower blood sugar levels in

laboratory studies using animals.

 

 

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Available Forms

 

Siberian ginseng is available in liquid extracts, solid extracts,

powders, capsules, and tablets, and as dried or cut root for tea.

 

It is important to note that there is a wide variation in the

quality and amount of Siberian ginseng found in different products

as well as a significant amount of mislabeling of products

containing this herb. In evaluations of commercial products claiming

to have Siberian ginseng, as many as 25% had no measurable ginseng

at all. Plus, many formulas for sale were contaminated with contents

not marked on the label. Care should be taken to purchase Siberian

ginseng products from reputable manufacturers.

 

 

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How to Take It

 

Pediatric

 

This herb is generally not recommended for use in pediatric patients

because of concerns about possible stimulant effects. However, some

clinicians may recommend it as a tonic during periods of stress; if

so, follow the instructions carefully of that qualified

practitioner. Use for children should be limited to 2 consecutive

weeks.

 

Adult

 

Dried root: The recommended dose is 500 to 3,000 milligrams dried

root daily (tea, or in capsules).

Tincture: (herb and alcohol; or herb, alcohol, and water), one

teaspoon three times per day.

Fluid extract (1:1): 1/2 to 1 tsp. Two to three times per day.

Extract (33% alcohol extract): 40 to 120 drops one to three times

per day.

Solid extracts, made from dried, powdered root are also available.

Look for products that contain at least 1% eleutheroside F, and take

100 to 200 mg three times per day.

To increase stamina or resistance to stress, one of the forms

recommended above can be taken for one month on and one month off.

For chronic conditions such as fatigue, Siberian ginseng can be

taken for three months, followed by 2 to 3 weeks off. These cycles

can be repeated, but this should be done under the supervision of a

healthcare provider.

 

 

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Precautions

 

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the

body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain active substances

that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs,

supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be

taken with care, under the supervision of a practitioner

knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine.

 

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) rates Siberian

ginseng as a class 1, which means that it is safe when used as

directed. However, it should not be taken by those with high blood

pressure, obstructive sleep apnea (repeated, prolonged periods when

breathing stops while sleeping), narcolepsy (frequent day time

sleeping), or by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

 

There has been one case report of a baby developing excessive hair

growth, including in the pubic region. This was attributed to the

mother, who was breast feeding, taking Siberian ginseng. Later, it

was discovered that the product she was taking probably did not

contain Siberian ginseng, but rather a contaminant. More common side

effects include high blood pressure, insomnia, drowsiness, vomiting,

headache, confusion, irregular heart rhythm, and nosebleed.

 

Siberian ginseng should be taken before 3 P.M. to avoid insomnia.

 

 

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Possible Interactions

 

If you are currently being treated with any of the following

medications, you should not use Siberian ginseng without first

talking to your healthcare provider.

 

Digoxin

Siberian ginseng may raise blood levels of digoxin, a medication

used to treat heart conditions. This can increase the risk of

adverse side effects from this medication.

 

Sedatives for Insomnia

Caution should be taken when considering use of Siberian ginseng

with sedatives, primarily barbiturates (a class of medications

including pentobarbital which are used for sleep or seizures).

 

 

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Supporting Research

 

Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs.

Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:124-125.

 

Bucci LR. Selected herbals and human exercise performance. Am J Clin

Nutr. 2000;72(suppl):624S-636S.

 

Fugh-Berman A. Herb-drug interactions. Lancet. 2000;355:134-138.

 

Glatthaar-Saalmuller B, Sacher F, Esperester A. Antiviral activity

of an extract derived from roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus.

Antiviral Res. 2001;50(3):223-8.

 

Gyllenhaal C, Merritt SL, Peterson SD, Block KI, Gochenour T.

Efficacy and safety of herbal stimulants and sedatives in sleep

disorders. Sleep Med Rev. 2000;4(2):229-251.

 

Harkey MR, Henderson GL, Gershwin ME, Stern JS, Hackman RM.

Variability in commercial ginseng products: an analysis of 25

preparations. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73:1101-1106.

 

Kelly GS. Nutritional and botanical interventions to assist with the

adaptation to stress. Alt Med Rev. 1999;4(4):249-265.

 

Koren G, Randor S, Martin S, Danneman D. Maternal ginseng use

associated with neonatal androgenization [letter]. JAMA. 1990;264

(22):2866.

 

McRae S. Elevated serum digoxin levels in a patient taking digoxin

and Siberian ginseng. Can Med Assoc J. 1996;155:293–295.

 

Miller LG. Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations

focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions. Arch Intern

Med. 1998;158(20):2200–2211.

 

Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for

Health Care Professionals. London, England: The Pharmaceutical

Press; 1996:141-144.

 

Ott BR, Owens NJ. Complementary and alternative medicines for

Alzheimer's disease. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 1998;11:163-173.

 

Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine. New York,

NY: Churchill-Livingstone; 1999:433-434;531-532;713-717;1385-1386.

 

Sinclair S. Male infertility: nutritional and environmental

considerations. Alt Med Rev. 2000;5(1):28-38.

 

Vogler BK, Pittler MH, Ernst E. The efficacy of ginseng. A

systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Eur J Clin

Pharmacol. 1999;55:567-575.

 

White L, Mavor S. Kids, Herbs, Health. Loveland, Colo: Interweave

Press; 1998:22, 40.

 

Williams M. Immuno-protection against herpes simplex type II

infection by eleutherococcus root extract. Int J Alt Comp Med.

1995;13:9-12.

 

Winther K, Ranlov C, Rein E, Mehlsen J. Russian root (Siberian

ginseng) improves cognitive functions in middle-aged people, whereas

Ginkgo biloba seems effective only in the elderly. J Neurol Sci.

1997;150:S90.

 

Wong AHC, Smith M, Boon HS. Herbal remedies in psychiatric practice.

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1998;55:1033-1044.

 

 

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Review April 2002

Reviewed By: Participants in the review process include: Constance

Grauds, RPh (April 1999), President, Association of Natural Medicine

Pharmacists, San Rafael, CA; Jacqueline A. Hart, MD, Department of

Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Harvard University and

Senior Medical Editor Integrative Medicine, Boston, MA; Gary

Kracoff, RPh (Pediatric Dosing section February 2001), Johnson

Drugs, Natick, MA; Steven Ottariono, RPh, Veteran's Administrative

Hospital, Londonderry, NH; David Winston, Herbalist (April 1999),

Herbalist and Alchemist, Inc., Washington, NJ; Elizabeth Wotton, ND

(April 1999), private practice, Sausalito, CA. All interaction

sections have also been reviewed by a team of experts including

Joseph Lamb, MD (July 2000), The Integrative Medicine Works,

Alexandria, VA;Enrico Liva, ND, RPh (August 2000), Vital Nutrients,

Middletown, CT; Brian T Sanderoff, PD, BS in Pharmacy (March 2000),

Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Maryland School of

Pharmacy; President, Your Prescription for Health, Owings Mills, MD;

R. Lynn Shumake, PD (March 2000), Director, Alternative Medicine

Apothecary, Blue Mountain Apothecary & Healing Arts, University of

Maryland Medical Center, Glenwood, MD; Ira Zunin, MD, MPH, MBA (July

2000), President and Chairman, Hawaii State Consortium for

Integrative Medicine, Honolulu, HI.

 

 

2002 A.D.A.M., Inc