Eleuthero
A classic adaptogen that supports resilience during stress, protects the nervous and endocrine systems, strengthens immunity, improves stamina and vitality, modulates hormones, and stabilizes blood pressure and blood sugar. Eleuthero is used long-term to rebuild after depletion, chronic stress, illness, or endocrine imbalance.
Eleutherococcus means “free-berried shrub.” Senticosus means “thorny,” referencing the plant’s bristled stems. The Chinese name ci wu jia refers to the plant’s characteristic five leaflets.
Eleuthero moderates the stress response by reducing sympathetic nervous system overactivation and decreasing adrenal corticoid output. It helps prevent adrenal shrinkage or hypertrophy associated with prolonged stress and protects the thymus and lymphatic tissues from stress-related atrophy.It is widely used to prevent or correct adrenal depletion, including burnout caused by chronic sympathetic drive or prolonged corticosteroid use. It supports recovery from stimulant withdrawal—including caffeine, methamphetamines, and nicotine—and improves resilience in people with fatigue, sluggishness, poor concentration, or menstrual irregularities tied to adrenal exhaustion or hypothyroidism.Eleuthero modulates reproductive hormones, reduces perimenopausal imbalance, and may help reestablish menstrual regularity in individuals recovering from stress, malnutrition, or amphetamine use. It synergizes well with hormone-balancing herbs such as vitex, angelica, and black cohosh.As a tonic it increases steady energy, stamina, endurance, vitality, and libido. Its immune-modulating and immune-stimulating actions enhance nonspecific resistance and increase helper T-cell and natural killer cell activity. Long-term use can benefit chronic fatigue syndrome, herpes simplex, HIV/AIDS, and recovery from Epstein–Barr virus. It may reduce frequency of colds, flu, and common infections and support recovery after surgery or cancer treatments.Eleuthero helps normalize blood pressure in both hypo- and hypertensive states, regulates blood sugar in individuals prone to highs or lows, and supports thyroid function in hypothyroid or adrenal-exhausted states. It improves detoxification and metabolic activity in the liver and may help reduce cholesterol synthesis.
In Chinese medicine, ci wu jia has been used for over two millennia to prevent colds and flu, strengthen the heart, improve respiratory resilience, and fortify tendons and ligaments. It was used for paralysis, hernias, and general debility.In the 1940s, Russian scientists studying performance-enhancing plants identified Eleuthero as an adaptogen comparable to Panax ginseng, but more abundant and accessible. It became widely studied in the Soviet Union for improving physical endurance, stress tolerance, work capacity, and recovery.
A perennial deciduous shrub reaching 2.5–6 m in height, with grayish-brown stems and branches covered in stiff bristles or prickles. The root is woody rather than fleshy like Panax species; true eleuthero root has minimal odor, and aromatic or vanilla-like scents indicate adulteration.Leaves are palmately compound with 3–5 elliptic to obovate leaflets, each 5–13 cm long and 3–7 cm wide, borne on long prickly petioles. Leaflets have tapered bases, pointed tips, and doubly serrated margins with pubescent veins.The inflorescence is a terminal umbel composed of several clusters on smooth peduncles. Flowers are small, with five fused calyx teeth, five pink fringed petals, five short stamens, and a compound ovary of fused carpels. Fruits are purple-black berries that retain a persistent style.
High doses may cause insomnia, agitation, anxiety, irritability, palpitations, tachycardia, headaches, or melancholy, particularly in individuals sensitive to stimulants. Avoid use in those with moderate to severe hypertension, those taking prescription hypotensives, or individuals on antipsychotic medications.Eleuthero may reduce insulin requirements in diabetics. Avoid during acute illness and during menstruation. Long-term continuous use may create a false sense of energy and contribute to depletion; cycles of two to three months on followed by a break are recommended.
Dry root 1:5 (33% or 60% ethanol).
Dose: 15–60 drops up to 3× daily.
Dry root 1:1 (33% ethanol).
Dose: 15–60 drops up to 3× daily.
Dry root 1:5 (50% glycerin / 50% water) or 1:5 (33% ethanol / 33% glycerin / 33% water).
Dose: 30–90 drops up to 3× daily.
Powdered root (standardized to at least 1% eleutherosides).
Dose: 2–6 grams, up to 3× daily.
Cold infusion or decoction of the root.
Christina Sinadinos, David Hoffman, Bryan Bowen, all relevant CHSHS lectures.