Ginseng And Eleuthero Root Extracts
Also known as: Ginseng, Asian ginseng, Panax notoginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Eleuthero Root Extract, Siberian ginseng, Panax ginseng
Overview
Ginseng, primarily derived from *Panax* species like *Panax ginseng* and *Panax notoginseng*, is a perennial plant root widely used in traditional medicine. It is valued for its potential benefits in cardiovascular health, cognitive enhancement, sexual function, and physical endurance. Its active compounds are ginsenosides. Eleuthero Root Extract, from *Eleutherococcus senticosus* (also known as Siberian ginseng), contains eleutherosides and is traditionally used for similar purposes, including fatigue, immune support, and stress adaptation. Both are classified as adaptogenic herbal supplements, aiming to enhance physical and mental performance and resilience to stress. While both have been studied, *Panax ginseng* has a larger body of clinical evidence, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, supporting its efficacy. Eleuthero, though traditionally used, has fewer high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to substantiate its benefits. The overall evidence quality for both ranges from moderate to low, with some positive findings but also inconsistent results depending on the specific indication.
Benefits
Ginseng (Panax species) shows moderate-quality evidence for several benefits. A meta-analysis indicated significant improvement in endothelial function, specifically flow-mediated dilation (FMD), suggesting cardiovascular health benefits (SMD 0.57, 95% CI 0.20–0.94, p=0.003). This points to its role in improving blood vessel health. For physical endurance, a systematic review and meta-analysis found that certain *Panax* extracts, such as *P. notoginseng*, significantly increased time to exhaustion (p<0.05), supporting its use for athletic performance. While some studies suggest potential cognitive benefits, high-quality meta-analyses are currently lacking. However, a meta-analysis in menopausal women found no statistically significant improvement in female sexual dysfunction compared to placebo. Eleuthero (*Eleutherococcus senticosus*) is traditionally used for circulatory support, fatigue, and immune support, but robust, high-quality RCT evidence for these benefits is limited. Insufficient data exists to support its use for sexual function or cognitive enhancement.
How it works
Ginseng's primary mechanism involves its active compounds, ginsenosides, which modulate nitric oxide synthesis. This leads to improved endothelial function and vasodilation by increasing endothelial nitric oxide (eNO) levels. Ginsenosides also influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, contributing to its adaptogenic effects, and exhibit neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Eleuthero's active constituents, eleutherosides, are believed to modulate the stress response through the HPA axis and enhance immune function, although their specific molecular targets are less defined compared to ginsenosides. Both supplements have moderate oral bioavailability, and their metabolism by gut microbiota plays a role in the availability of active compounds in the body.
Side effects
Both Ginseng and Eleuthero are generally considered safe at typical doses, with mild side effects reported. For Ginseng, mild gastrointestinal discomfort and insomnia have been reported in less than 5% of users. Rare adverse events, such as vaginal bleeding and digestive discomfort, have been noted in isolated cases. While no major drug interactions have been definitively identified, caution is advised when used concurrently with anticoagulants due to potential effects on blood clotting. Eleuthero is also considered safe, with rare reports of mild side effects like insomnia or nervousness. However, there is insufficient data regarding specific drug interactions for Eleuthero. Both supplements are contraindicated in individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions or autoimmune diseases unless under strict medical supervision, due to their potential influence on hormonal and immune systems. Long-term safety data for both supplements are limited, and monitoring is advised for prolonged use.
Dosage
Effective dosages for Ginseng vary depending on the specific extract and the intended indication. For cardiovascular benefits, studies have utilized standardized extracts at doses ranging from 200 mg to 1350 mg per day. For physical endurance, similar dose ranges have been observed in trials. A duration of 4 weeks or more is common in clinical studies to observe effects. For Eleuthero, typical doses range from 300 mg to 1200 mg per day of root extract. However, clinical trial data for Eleuthero are sparse, making it difficult to define optimal dosing precisely. For both supplements, timing of administration is generally before exercise for performance enhancement or daily for chronic conditions. Absorption may be enhanced when taken with meals, though this can vary by specific product formulation. Upper limits and safety thresholds are not definitively established for long-term use, emphasizing the importance of adhering to recommended dosages and consulting healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Is ginseng effective for sexual dysfunction?
Current meta-analyses do not support a significant benefit of ginseng for female sexual dysfunction, particularly in menopausal women. More research is needed for other populations.
Can ginseng improve exercise performance?
Yes, some evidence, particularly from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, suggests that specific *Panax* extracts can improve exercise endurance and time to exhaustion.
Is Eleuthero a substitute for ginseng?
While Eleuthero shares similar traditional adaptogenic uses with ginseng, it has less robust clinical evidence. It is not considered a direct substitute for *Panax* ginseng due to differences in active compounds and research backing.
Are these supplements safe long-term?
Both ginseng and eleuthero are generally considered safe for short to moderate-term use. However, long-term safety data are limited, and monitoring is advised for prolonged use.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12255128/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis, involving 140 subjects, found that ginseng significantly improves endothelial function, indicated by an increase in flow-mediated dilation (SMD 0.57, 95% CI 0.20–0.94, p=0.003). The study noted moderate heterogeneity and low publication bias but highlighted limitations such as small sample size and variability in ginseng preparations.
- https://ijwhr.net/pdf.php?id=399 – This meta-analysis of 5 RCTs, involving 531 menopausal women, concluded that ginseng had no significant effect on female sexual dysfunction compared to placebo. The study reported some mild adverse events and acknowledged heterogeneity in study design and the types of ginseng used.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8950061/ – This systematic review focused on the effects of *Panax* genus extracts on exercise endurance. It identified a 30-day RCT with 29 participants that showed significant improvement in time to exhaustion (p<0.05). The review noted that the small sample size and short duration of the included studies limit the generalizability of the findings.
