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Siberian
Ginseng
(Eleutherococcus
senticosus)
Family: Araliaceae.
Part
used: Root.
Collection and
habitat: The
plant is indigenous to northeast Asia but is now being grown
commercially in a few places in the United States. It is
usually purchased commercially, with the root already cut and
sifted to industry standards.
Actions: Adaptogen, antistressor, immune tonic,
immunopotentiating, immunoadjuvant; increases nonspecific
resistance against many pathogens; monoamine oxidase
inhibitor.
Functions in liver
disease: Antistressor, immune tonic and
potentiator (stimulates B lymphocyte antibodies),
antidepressant, mental clarity stimulant; helps restore task
endurance.
About Siberian
Ginseng
Although used in China for
several thousand years, this herb was brought to prominence by
intensive Russian research in the latter half of the 20th
century. Many clinical trials have shown significant
immuneenhancing activity. This includes significant increase in
immunocompetent cells, specifically T lymphocytes
(helper/inducers, cytotoxic, and natural killer cells). Tests
of the herb have repeatedly shown that it increases the ability
of humans to withstand adverse conditions, increases mental
alertness, and improves performance. People taking the herb
regularly report fewer illnesses than people not taking
it.
In general, Siberian ginseng is
completely nontoxic, and Russian investigators have reported on
use of exceptionally large doses for up to 20 years with no
adverse reactions. Both Asian and American ginseng, on the
other hand, have several limitations. Siberian ginseng, in my
experience, produces cumulative results: The longer you use it,
the better it works. It tends to kick in after 6 weeks or so,
and the most significant results can be seen after 6 months of
use. This is especially true in people with pale, unhealthy
skin; lassitude; and depression.
Eleutherococcus senticosus and a
related species, E. chiisanensis, have been found to be
strongly antihepatotoxic and hepatoprotective in vivo against
CC14-induced hepatotoxicity. Additionally, Siberian ginseng was
found to be a hepatoregenerator, significantly stimulating
liver regeneration in animals in which portions of the liver
had been surgically removed.
Because Siberian ginseng is a
monoamine oxidase inhibitor, it is also useful for depression,
a condition that often accompanies a severely depleted immune
system and chronic liver disease.
Preparation and
Dosage
Used as tea, tincture, or powder
or in capsules.
Tea: Cold
infusion, 3-6 ounces (90-180 mL) up to 3 times per
day
Tincture: Dried herb: 1:5 in 60 percent alcohol,
20-60 drops up to 3 times per day.
Powder:
1-2 tsp (5-10 mL per day.
Capsules: 2 "00" capsules 3 times per
day.
Note: The Russian studies were
carried out on a 1:1 extract in 30 percent alcohol, 2-15 ml in
a daily dose. This is a much stronger dose than that described
above and works more quickly. Numerous herbal companies produce
it in this form.
Contraindications and Side
Effects
For almost all people, there are
no side effects or contraindications. The herb may temporarily
increase blood pressure in some people. This increased pressure
tends to drop to normal within a few weeks. Caution should be
exercised for people with very high blood pressure, especially
if the herb is combined with other hypertensives, such as
licorice. With extreme overuse, tension and insomnia may
occur.
Excerpted from
Hepatitis C and the Liver by
Stephen Harrod Buhner
Copyright © 2000
Used with permission from Storey
Publishing, LLC (www.story.com)
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