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Eleuthero
Borstige Taigawurzel · (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Ginseng family (Araliaceae)
Description
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also called Siberian ginseng or taiga root, is a deciduous, densely spiny shrub of the ginseng family (Araliaceae). It reaches heights of roughly 2 to over 6 metres and bears palmate, usually five-part leaves with leaflets up to 13 cm long. Small, inconspicuous flowers open in July and give rise to rounded, blue-black, drupe-like berries of 6 to 9 mm. The species is native to north-eastern Asia - Siberia, the Amur region, Sakhalin, North Korea, north-eastern China (Manchuria) and northern Japan (Hokkaidō), where it grows in mixed and coniferous forests. Its medicinal parts are the woody root and rhizome (Eleutherococci radix). Despite the name 'Siberian ginseng', the plant is not the same as true ginseng (Panax ginseng), though it belongs to the same family and is regarded as a classic adaptogen.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
The EMA monograph advises against use in pregnancy owing to a lack of safety data; use is not recommended.
CONTRAINDICATED for children
There are insufficient data for children under 12 years; per the EMA the use is restricted to adults and adolescents over 12 years.
Main use with EMA-recognised 'traditional use' evidence: for the relief of symptoms of asthenia (abnormal loss of strength and energy) such as tiredness and weakness. This recognition rests solely on long-standing traditional use, not on high-quality clinical trials. As an adaptogen the root is held to support non-specific resistance to physical and mental stress.
Preparation & dosage
Traditional use as a standardised dry extract or tincture of the comminuted root, corresponding to roughly 0.5 to 4 g of comminuted root per day (product-dependent, divided into several single doses). Take preferably earlier in the day, as the herb may be mildly stimulating. For adults and adolescents over 12 years only. Do not use for longer than 2 months without medical advice; if symptoms do not improve or persist for more than 2 weeks, seek medical advice.
- Dry amount
- 0.5–4 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 8 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per the EMA monograph, for adults and adolescents over 12 years only; there are insufficient data for younger children.
Folk and traditional preparation of the comminuted root as a decoction for supportive use in exhaustion, tiredness and weakness. The comminuted root as an infusion/decoction is one of the preparation forms named by the EMA within the traditional-use framework.
Preparation & dosage
Traditionally as a decoction: bring about 2 to 3 g of comminuted root to the boil with roughly 150 ml of water, simmer for a few minutes and let it draw for about 10 minutes in total, then strain. Once or twice daily, preferably earlier in the day. For adults and adolescents over 12 years only; not longer than 2 months without medical advice.
- Dry amount
- 2–3 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 8 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — As with the extract/tincture form, for adults and adolescents over 12 years only.
Eleuthero may be mildly stimulating; reported side effects include insomnia, irritability, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) and headaches. It should therefore not be taken late in the day or in the evening and should be avoided in people prone to insomnia. Caution in high or uncontrolled blood pressure and in heart disease. Because of a lack of data it should not be used in pregnancy, during breastfeeding or in children under 12 years. Do not use for more than 2 months without medical advice; if symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks or worsen, seek medical advice. Theoretical interactions with blood-sugar-lowering, anticoagulant and sedative medicines are possible.
The EMA monograph advises against use in pregnancy owing to a lack of safety data; use is not recommended.
There are insufficient data for the breastfeeding period; the EMA monograph does not recommend use during lactation. Only after medical advice.
There are insufficient data for children under 12 years; per the EMA the use is restricted to adults and adolescents over 12 years.
Drug interactions
Antidiabetika / blutzuckersenkende Mittel
Eleuthero may affect blood glucose; when taken together with blood-sugar-lowering medicines, blood glucose should be monitored.
Gerinnungshemmer / Digoxin (Warfarin, Herzglykoside)
Case reports have described disturbed blood coagulation or altered serum digoxin levels with Eleutherococcus; close monitoring is advisable when taken together with warfarin or digoxin.
Sedativa / zentral dämpfende Mittel
Interactions with sedative medicines are theoretically possible; the herb's stimulating effect could influence their action. Data are limited.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity (allergy) to the root or to other components of the preparation.
- Caution in high or uncontrolled blood pressure (hypertension).
Harvested part: Root and rhizome (Eleutherococci radix), dug in autumn
- Time of day:
- The woody root and rhizome are dug in autumn after the foliage has yellowed, when the active compounds are stored in the root.
- Drying:
- The harvested roots and rhizomes are washed, comminuted and gently dried; the dried, comminuted herbal substance (Eleutherococci radix) is stored or processed into extracts and tinctures.
- Storage:
- 36 months — Store dry, cool and dark in tightly sealed containers.
- Eleutheroside (heterogene Leitgruppe, z. B. Eleutherosid B = Syringin, Eleutherosid E = Syringaresinol-Diglucosid)GlycosideContent: ~0,6-0,9 %Root
The eponymous, chemically heterogeneous marker group of the root. Eleutheroside B is the phenylpropanoid glycoside syringin, eleutheroside E a lignan diglucoside (syringaresinol diglucoside). They serve as the analytical marker substances of the herb.
- Lignane (u. a. Sesamin, Syringaresinol)Phenolic acidRoot
Lignans such as sesamin and syringaresinol; the latter forms eleutheroside E as its diglucoside. Considered part of the adaptogenic profile.
- Phenylpropanoide (Syringin, Chlorogensäure)Phenolic acidRoot
Phenylpropanoids including syringin (eleutheroside B) and chlorogenic acid.
- PolysaccharidePolysaccharideRoot
High-molecular polysaccharides to which immune-related (immunomodulating) effects have been attributed in vitro.
- Cumarine (Isofraxidin)OtherRoot
Coumarins, especially isofraxidin (or its glucoside), are among the characteristic constituents of the root.
- TriterpensaponineSaponinRoot
Triterpenoid saponins as a further accompanying constituent group of the root.
- Phytosterole (u. a. β-Sitosterol)OtherRoot
Plant sterols such as beta-sitosterol.
- [1]MonographEuropean Medicines Agency (HMPC) - Eleutherococci radix (Eleutherococcus senticosus root), herbal medicinal product, traditional use(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [2]MonographFinal Community herbal monograph on Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim., radix (EMA/HMPC)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [3]WikipediaBorstige Taigawurzel - Wikipedia (Deutsch)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [4]WikipediaEleutherococcus senticosus - Wikipedia (English)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [6]CommonsEleutherococcus senticosus - Chelsea Physic Garden - Wikimedia Commons (CC0, Daderot)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [5]WikidataEleutherococcus senticosus (Q163122) - Wikidata(accessed: 2026-07-02)
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