Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)
What eleuthero (Siberian ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus) is, why it is not true ginseng, what trials and the EMA found, and cautions on adulteration, pregnancy and medicines.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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What is Eleuthero good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Traditional use for loss of strength and energy (asthenia)
Preliminary or mixedIn the EU the root is registered as a traditional herbal medicine for relief of tiredness and weakness in adults and adolescents over 12, for no more than 2 months. This rests on long use, not on strong trial results.
Supplements: Traditional-use status only; firm trial evidence is lacking.
Chronic fatigue trial: no overall benefit
Not enough evidenceIn 96 adults with unexplained fatigue for 6 months or more, fatigue fell in both groups and the overall difference was not significant. A possible benefit in people with less severe fatigue was suggested but not confirmed.
Supplements: Overall efficacy was not demonstrated.
Stress-related fatigue trial: negligible added effect
Not enough evidenceIn 144 people with stress-related fatigue, adding a root extract to stress management training gave negligible, if any, extra benefit. All treatments were well tolerated.
Supplements: No good evidence of added benefit.
Immune support and stamina (claimed uses)
Not enough evidenceIt is promoted for boosting the immune system, strength and stamina and preventing colds, but human studies are quite limited.
Supplements: No established benefit.
Possible effects on how other medicines are handled
Lab or animal research onlyIn laboratory studies, eleutherosides B and E may inhibit CYP2C9 and CYP2E1 enzymes and an extract inhibited a methotrexate transporter. Whether this matters in people is unknown.
Supplements: Not a benefit; clinical relevance unknown.
Not true ginseng
Not enough evidenceEleuthero is a different genus from Panax ginseng, so results for Asian or American ginseng should not be assumed to apply.
Supplements: Not a benefit; a labelling and evidence caution.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Reduce FatiguePreliminary or mixed
Registered in the EU for tiredness and weakness based on long use; two trials found no clear benefit overall, so evidence is weak.
Body systems (2)
- Energy & FatiguePreliminary or mixed
Registered in the EU for tiredness and weakness based on long use; two trials found no clear benefit overall, so evidence is weak.
- Cardiovascular SystemDocumented risk
Fast heartbeat is a listed side effect, and a case report links it to raised digoxin levels. Ask a prescriber if you take heart medicines.
Body parts (1)
- HeartDocumented risk
Fast heartbeat is a listed side effect, and digoxin interaction has been reported.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
May interfere with digoxin test results and, in lab studies, with some drug-handling enzymes. Reports of bleeding with antidepressants are not proof of cause.
Conditions & symptoms (3)
- AstheniaPreliminary or mixed
EU registers the root for relief of tiredness and weakness based on traditional use; trials were too limited for firm conclusions.
- HeadacheDocumented risk
Headache is a listed side effect, frequency not known.
- TachycardiaDocumented risk
Rapid heartbeat is a listed side effect, frequency not known.
Documented risks and interactions (6)
- Digoxin: raised levels and false lab readings. A case report found raised digoxin levels, and the herb may cause falsely high digoxin test results. The EMA report questions that case because the product may have been adulterated with Periploca sepium, a plant with heart-active compounds.
- Side effects: sleeplessness, irritability, fast heartbeat, headache. The EMA lists insomnia, irritability, rapid heartbeat and headache, frequency not known.
- Breastfeeding and pregnancy cautions. MSK advises avoiding it while breastfeeding because safety is unknown. The EMA monograph (via the site page) says safety in pregnancy is not established and use is not recommended.
- Bleeding reports with antidepressants. A review of adverse-event reports listed eleuthero with bleeding events in people also taking some antidepressants. These are reports, not proof of cause.
- Adulteration and product quality. A case of newborn male-type hormone effects attributed to Siberian ginseng was traced to a product adulterated with Periploca sepium. Species and authenticity matter.
- Use under age 12. EMA says use in children under 12 is not established.
What it is
Eleuthero is Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim., in the Araliaceae family. [5] The part used is the root. [6] It is **not a species of Panax ginseng**; Memorial Sloan Kettering says it should not be confused with Asian ginseng, American ginseng or Panax notoginseng. [1] It is also called Siberian ginseng, and an older botanical name, Acanthopanax senticosus, still appears. [1] See ginseng versus eleuthero.Adulteration history
The EMA assessment report describes a case of newborn androgenization (male-type hormone effects) attributed to "pure Siberian ginseng", which further research showed was adulterated with Periploca sepium. [2] This is why species and authenticity matter. See contamination and adulteration and quality testing and certifications. We did not read a source on how common this problem is today.Is it an "adaptogen"?
"Adaptogen" is a contested term, and eleuthero is where it began. The EMA report says the term "resistogen" or "adaptogen" was introduced in 1958 by Soviet scientists to describe the actions of eleutherococcus root, and that the concept is not well known to Western medicine. [2] Memorial Sloan Kettering says it has been used traditionally as an adaptogen. [1] See the history of the adaptogen concept.Traditional use (not proof)
Memorial Sloan Kettering describes it as an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine. [1] The EMA committee concluded that, on the basis of long-standing use, the root can be used for relief of symptoms of asthenia (loss of strength and energy) such as tiredness and weakness, in adults and adolescents over 12, for no more than 2 months. [6] That conclusion rests on traditional use because clinical studies had design shortcomings that prevented firm conclusions. [6]What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Population and form studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic fatigue | In 96 people with fatigue for at least 6 months, differences between Siberian ginseng and placebo were not significant overall; possible benefit in people with less severe fatigue. [7] | Insufficient evidence | Adults in Iowa; Siberian ginseng root |
| Stress-related fatigue | In 144 people, a root extract (120 mg a day) added to stress management training showed negligible extra effect; all treatments were well tolerated. [8] | No good evidence of added benefit | Adults with stress-related asthenia; 8 weeks |
| Immune support, stamina | Memorial Sloan Kettering says studies in humans are quite limited. [1] | Insufficient evidence | Not applicable |
Preclinical (cell and animal) findings exist but are not proof for people. [1]
Official statement
EMA/HMPC (EU, 2014 monograph): relief of asthenia symptoms based on long-standing use; no interactions reported at that time; not for use beyond 2 months. [3]Where to go next
Eleuthero side effects, blood pressure and cautions, Asian ginseng, and ginseng types compared.Frequently asked questions
Is eleuthero real ginseng?
No. It is a different genus (Eleutherococcus), so it is not Panax ginseng. [1]
Does Siberian ginseng help with fatigue?
Two randomized trials found no clear benefit overall. [7][8]
What was the Periploca problem?
A reported case attributed to Siberian ginseng was later traced to a product adulterated with Periploca sepium. [2]
Can it be used in pregnancy?
EMA says safety has not been established and use is not recommended. [3]
How long may it be used in the EU monograph?
Not more than 2 months; see a clinician if symptoms last more than 2 weeks. [6]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety points first
- Digoxin. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center lists a case report in which Siberian ginseng raised serum digoxin levels and notes it may cause falsely elevated digoxin lab results. [1] The EMA assessment report says the validity of that case has been questioned because the product may have been adulterated with Periploca sepium, a plant that contains cardioactive glycosides. [2] Anyone who takes digoxin should ask a prescriber or pharmacist.
- Side effects. The EMA herbal committee lists insomnia, irritability, rapid heartbeat and headache, frequency not known. [3]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. EMA says safety has not been established and use is not recommended. [3] Memorial Sloan Kettering advises avoiding it while breastfeeding. [1]
- Antidepressants and bleeding. A review of 1,816 adverse-event reports found Eleutherococcus senticosus listed with duloxetine (stomach bleeding), paroxetine (nosebleed), sertraline (vaginal bleeding) and agomelatine (irritability, agitation). [4] These are reports, not proof of cause. See how interactions work.
- Children. EMA says use under 12 is not established. [3]
- Surgery. Tell the surgical team about any supplement.
References
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Siberian Ginseng: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More. Information About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Assessment report on Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim., radix (EMA/HMPC/680615/2013). Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Community herbal monograph on Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim., radix (EMA/HMPC/680618/2013, final, 25 March 2014). Read 2026-10-23.
- Siwek et al. Harder, better, faster, stronger? Retrospective chart review of adverse events of interactions between adaptogens and antidepressant drugs. Frontiers in pharmacology 2023. PubMed 37829299. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Names checked through the species match API on 2026-10-23. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Eleutherococci radix: herbal medicinal product summary. Summary for the public EMA/283374/2014, 10 February 2016. Read 2026-10-23.
- Hartz et al. Randomized controlled trial of Siberian ginseng for chronic fatigue. Psychological medicine 2004. PubMed 14971626. Read 2026-10-23.
- Schaffler et al. No benefit adding eleutherococcus senticosus to stress management training in stress-related fatigue/weakness, impaired work or concentration, a randomized controlled study. Pharmacopsychiatry 2013. PubMed 23740477. Read 2026-10-23.