Medicinal Plant Lexicon

Medicinal Plant Lexicon

Siberian ginseng/Taiga root

Siberian ginseng/Taiga root
Photo: Markus Winkler, Pexels

Botanical name

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim.

Family

Araliaceae

Common name

Eleuthero, Russian root, Devil's shrub, Devil’s bush, Eleuthero ginseng

Information about the plant

The main distribution area of Siberian ginseng is the boreal coniferous forests of Eastern Siberia (the taiga). It extends east to Japan and Sakhalin, south to South Korea, and to the northern provinces of China. The name ‘Siberian ginseng’ suggests that the plant is used medicinally in the same way as (Korean) ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). In the mountainous northeastern provinces of China, another native medicinally used ginseng is found: Chinese ginseng (also notoginseng, Panax pseudo-ginseng Wall.). Details on this are described in the monograph ‘Ginseng’.

The underground parts of Siberian ginseng available on the market are referred to as ‘taiga root’. The specific epithet senticosus (Latin for ‘abundant in thorns or spines’) refers to the spiny bristles that protrude diagonally downwards from the branches of this shrub, which can grow up to 3 m tall. The petioles of the five-lobed, finely serrated leaves are also densely covered with spines. The blue-violet (male and female) and yellow (female) flowers grow in umbels. The female flowers develop into black berries.

Medicinally used parts of plants (herbal drug)

The dried underground parts consisting of the rhizomes and roots are used. The herbal drug is called Siberian ginseng.

For a long time, only extracts of the herbal drug were commercially available, since the export of the drug was banned during the Soviet period. Consequently, there was a long-standing reliance on imports from China and Korea, but today Russian products are also on the market.

For ‘Korean ginseng (Ginseng radix)’, see the monograph ‘Ginseng’.

Constituents of the herbal drug

Siberian ginseng has a very diverse range of secondary metabolites: lignans, hydroxycoumarins, triterpene saponins, steroidal glycosides, phenylacrylic derivatives, and polysaccharides. Analogous to chemically uniform ginsenosides contained in the roots of Korean ginseng, the ingredients of Siberian ginseng have also been referred to as "eleutherosides". This term is best avoided because it does not come from a uniform group of substances.

Quality of the drug

The quality of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococci radix) is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

Medical applications

Recognised medical use

The HMPC has classified Siberian ginseng as a traditional herbal medicinal product (see ‘Traditional use’).

ESCOP: For declining mental and physical capacity, such as weakness, exhaustion, fatigue, and reduced ability to concentrate, as well as during convalescence.

Indications supported by clinical trials (authorization): To maintain and stimulate the body’s physical defenses, particularly in cases of exceptional physical, emotional, and mental stress.

Traditional use

Siberian ginseng has been classified by the HMPC as a traditional herbal medicinal product (Article 16a of Directive 2001/83/EC). Based upon long-standing use, Siberian ginseng can be taken internally to alleviate symptoms of asthenia (abnormal loss of strength and energy), such as tiredness and weakness.

Herbal drug preparations in finished dosage forms

  • Dry extracts in capsules and tablets
  • Liquid extract in drops

Dosage

Finished medicinal products: See patient information leaflet.

Tea: The recommended daily dose is 0.5 to 4 g of Siberian ginseng, which can be taken all at once or divided into three portions throughout the day. However, as only extracts were permitted to be sold for a long time, the use of the herbal drug to prepare a tea has not been established.

Preparation of a tea

Pour approximately 150 mL of boiling water over 0.5 to 4 g of finely chopped or finely ground Siberian ginseng and strain after 10 to 15 minutes.

Notes

There are currently no studies available on the safety of using Siberian ginseng during pregnancy and lactation. Use in children under 12 years of age is not recommended due to a lack of evidence.

Side effects

Insomnia, irritability, palpitation, or headaches may occasionally occur.

Interactions

None known.

References

Herbal drug monographs

HMPC (2014), ESCOP (2003), WHO Vol. 2

Further literature

Commentary on the European Pharmacopoeia (taiga root, No. 1419).

→ Medicinal plants
→ Glossary
→ Advisor

Adonis rose    African Plum Tree    African geranium    Agrimony    Alder buckthorn – Cascara buckthorn    Aloe    Andorn    Angelica    Anise    Arctic root    Arnica    Artichoke    Ash    Basil    Bearberry    Belladonna    Bilberry    Birch    Bitter Candytuft    Bitter orange    Black Cohosh    Black Horehound    Blackberry    Blackcurrant    Blackthorn    Bogbean    Boldo    Buckthorn    Buckwheat    Burdock    Butcher's broom    Calendula    Caraway    Castor oil plant    Cayenne pepper    Centaury    Chamomile    Cinchona tree    Cinnamon    Cloves    Cola Nut    Coltsfoot    Comfrey    Common Evening Primrose    Common chicory    Common polypody    Coriander    Couch grass    Cranberry    Curly Mint    Dandelion    Devil's Claw    Dittany of Crete    Echinacea    Elder    Ephedra    Eucalyptus    Euphrasia officinalis    Fennel    Fenugreek    Feverfew    Foxglove    Fumitory    Garlic    Gentian    Ginger    Ginkgo    Ginseng    Glandular Plantain    Goldenrod    Grapevine    Greater Celandine    Greek oregano    Green bean    Ground ivy    Guarana seeds    Gumweed    Hawkweed    Hawthorn    Hedge mustard    Hemp - Cannabis    Henbane    Hops    Horse Chestnut    Horseradish    Horsetail    Iceland moss    Indian Frankincense    Ipecacuanha    Iris    Ironwort    Ivy    Java Tea    Juniper    Kava-kava    Knotgrass herb    Lady's Bedstraw    Lady's Mantle    Lavender    Lemon Verbena    Lemon balm    Lily of the valley    Linden    Lingonberry    Linseed    Liquorice    Lovage    Lungwort    Mallow    Marjoram    Marshmallow    Mastic Tree    Meadowsweet    Milk Thistle    Mint    Mistletoe    Motherwort    Mountain pine    Mullein    Mustard    Myrrh    Nasturtium    Nettle    Norway Spruce    Oak    Oat    Olive tree    Opium poppy    Passion flower    Peppermint    Peru balsam / Tolu balsam    Pine    Primrose    Psyllium - Indian    Pumpkin    Purple loosestrife    Raspberry    Rhubarb    Ribwort Plantain    Rockrose    Roman Chamomile    Roselle    Rosemary    Rupturewort    Safflower    Saffron    Sage    Sandy Everlasting    Saw Palmetto    Sea squill    Senna    Shepherd's Purse    Siberian ginseng/Taiga root    Silverweed    Speedwell    Spiny Restharrow    St. Benedict's thistle    St. John's wort    Sundew    Sweet clover    Tea tree    Thornapple    Thyme    Tormentil    Turmeric    Valerian    Verbena    Vitex    Walnut    Wild Strawberry    Wild thyme    Willow    Willowherb    Witch hazel    Woody nightshade    Wormwood    Yarrow    Yerba mate