Siberian ginseng research notes:
An ideal forest garden adaptogen for health and stamina!
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a very useful forest garden plant, doing well in light shade and fairly adaptable to cooler European or North American climates. This is a significant deciduous shrub from northern Asia with many traditional uses and has been shown to enable increased endurance and memory improvement. It is the leaves, bark and roots that are the active parts offering tonic and adaptogenic properties. Here I summarise details of growing and using this plant and its medicinal applications with a recipe for Siberian ginseng and ginger tea.
What is this amazing plant?
My first introduction to Siberian ginseng was at the Herb Garden at Middlesex University in London, where we ran a degree programme for professional herbal medicine (sadly no longer operational). It grew well in the city garden, thanks to our wonderful gardener, forming a large bushy shrub. Whenever I see ivy (Hedera helix) I think of Siberian ginseng! You can see something of the resemblance in images of the plant reproductive parts, the flower and fruits. These two plants are related as members of the Araliaceae plant family which also includes American ginseng (Panax quinqefolius). However, as far as I can tell, ivy leaf is not generally reputed to be a tonic though research has shown evidence for expectorant and antispasmodic properties useful in bronchial complaints (Schaeffer et al., 2016).
Siberian ginseng is also known as thorny ginseng or taiga root. It is a deciduous shrub growing to around 3-4 m tall. It flowers in July-August and the berries ripen in September-October. The youngest stems may be covered in prickles while the older stems are unarmed. The leaves are palmate on long reddish stalks and are composed of five elliptical leaflets with serrate margins. The flowers occur toward the tips of stems in single or paired umbels that have long peduncles. Floral parts are in groups of five, including the epigynous ovary surrounded by a nectar-secreting disc. The fruit, a drupe, contains the same number of kernels as carpels.
How does this plant affect the body?
Herbal actions of the root, bark and leaves are adaptogenic, antioxidant, antiviral, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, diuretic, anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, immunostimulant (Huang et al, 2011).
Historically this plant has been much in use. For centuries in Chinese medicine, as well as Korean and Russian folk medicine, it was known for increasing stamina and promoting overall health. In Chinese traditional medicine Siberian ginseng root is used to invigorate qi (chi or energy), strengthen and nourish the spleen and kidney and to balance vital energy. It has application for respiratory infections, heart and inflammatory conditions as well. The leaves provide a poultice for bruises and sprains.
What are the active constituents
Triterpenoid saponins, phenylpropanes, polysaccharides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterols, vitamins and volatile oils. Siberian ginseng contains eleutherosides A to G. The root contains 0.6-0.9% of eleutherosides, and eleutheroside A has some similarities to ginsenosides found in Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng), though eleutheroside E is thought mainly responsible for increasing resistance to stress and fatigue.
Clinical applications and research
Currently Siberian ginseng is known primarily for its role in treating chronic fatigue, stress and compromised immunity. Additional uses include regulation of blood sugar levels and hormones, and in some cancer treatments. The roots have an adaptogenic effect that produces a non-specific increase in the body’s defences, stimulating the immune system and physical and mental performance. While the root enhances stamina the leaf is thought more effective for mental stimulation and balancing blood sugar levels. Various research studies have supported some of the traditional uses. Siberian ginseng was included in a mix with Malabar nut leaf (Justicia adhatoda) and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of upper respiratory infection and found significant cough relief (Barth et al., 2015). Recent research has begun to identify mechanisms by which Siberian ginseng might benefit sufferers of Alzheimer's disease in terms of reducing anxiety and memory loss (Zhang et al., 2024).
What is the best way to grow Siberian ginseng?
Siberian ginseng is an understorey shrub, often forming dense thickets indigenous to mountain forests in north and eastern Asia. It is hardy to US zones 3-7 and UK zone 3. It grows well in partial shade, and prefers a cool climate. A moderately rich, moist and well-drained soil is ideal. Flowers and seed are produced after 3–4 years. Siberian ginseng can deplete soil nutrients and so regular mulching in a similar management approach to fruit trees may be helpful. Few diseases and pests are reported though, in my experience, Devon slugs appear partial to Siberian ginseng. Since Siberian ginseng grows competitively, forming thickets in its native habitat, care needs to be taken to ensure it does not spread invasively.
Which Siberian ginseng parts are used and how to harvest them?
Roots, stem bark and leaves are used. The stem bark and leaves have many of the root actions though to a lesser extent. The root is best harvested when the plant is dormant, at least 4-5 years old, lateral rootlets are cut off and then thoroughly cleaned. The leaves are harvested from late spring to early autumn and can be dried for later use. The bark can be harvested in late summer or autumn, ideally from pruning of side branches. Siberian ginseng is harvested from its natural habitat in Russia and north-east China but overharvesting has resulted in this popular herb approaching endangered species status. Studies in Poland have suggested potential for European cultivation of Eleutherococcus species (Adamcyzk et al, 2019). Both root and bark can be used (Jin et al., 2020), so harvesting the bark or leaf from pruned branches is a way to make cultivation more sustainable.
How to use Siberian ginseng?
Leaves can be eaten raw, fresh flowers and roots can be made into tea, while the bark can be dried for later use. Dried bark is taken as powder in capsules, up to 2-3 g per day, or can be made into a tincture. The root tincture (1:5) can be taken in doses of 3-5 ml up to three times per day. This herbal remedy is well-tolerated for longer term use up to 3 months. However, always take medical advice for your complaint and especially so if on prescription medication as there may be interactions. Siberian ginseng should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There has been advice in the past to avoid Siberian ginseng in cases of high blood pressure, though re-examination of the evidence suggests that this is based on a mistaken interpretation of previous reports (Schmidt et al., 2014).
RECIPE FOR SIBERIAN GINSENG AND GINGER TEA
3 cm ginger root, finely grated
2 tbsp fresh Siberian ginseng leaves, chopped
500 ml water
1/2 lemon, sliced
honey (optional)
Place the ginger root in a pan. Pour on the water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 min. Take off the heat and stir in the chopped leaves, leave to infuse for 10 min. Strain the tea and add several slices of lemon per cup, sweeten with honey if desired and drink. Take up to 3 times a day as a preventative or to reduce symptoms of colds.
Overall winner!
I think Siberian ginseng is such a winner, it tolerates a range of situations so can be grown in a garden or hedge or a woodland edge. In a fertile, well-drained and open site it will form a good-sized shrub within a few years. The branching shrubby growth is ideal for regular pruning and this provides branches for leaf and bark harvest. The flowers and leaves are attractive. I have been able to propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings in later summer too. And an extra plus is that the young leaves and buds are edible. Overall, an ornamental shade-tolerant plant with immense health potential.
References
Adamczyk K, Olech MJ, Pietrzak W, et al. Eleutherococcus species cultivated in Europe: A new source of compounds with antiacetylcholinesterase, antihyaluronidase, anti-DPPH, and cytotoxic activities. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2019; 2019: 8673521.
Barth A, Hovhannisyan A, Jamalyan K, et al. (2015) Antitussive effect of a fixed combination of Justicia adhatoda, Echinacea purpurea and Eleutherococcus senticosus extracts in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection: A comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Phytomedicine 2015: 22: 1195-1200.
Huang L, Zhao H, Huang B, et al. Acanthopanax senticosus: Review of botany, chemistry and pharmacology. Pharmazie 2011; 66: 83-97.
Jin L, Schmiech M, El Gaafary M, et al. A comparative study on root and bark extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus and their effects on human macrophages. Phytomedicine 2020; 68: 153181. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153181.
Schaeffer A, Kehr MS, Gianetti BM, et al. A randomized, controlled, double-blind, multi-center trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a liquid containing ivy leaves dry extract (EA 575®) vs. placebo in the treatment of adults with acute cough. Pharmazie 2016; 71: 504-509.
Schmidt M, Thomsen M, Kelber O, et al. Myths and facts in herbal medicines: Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) and its contraindication in hypertensive patients. Botanics: Targets and Therapy 2014; 4: 27-32.
Zhang Z, Wu Y, Shi D, et al. Acanthopanax senticosus improves cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease by promoting the phosphorylation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Front Immunol 2024; 15: 1383464. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383464.
The information about Siberian ginseng shown here is adapted from my books on medicinal forest gardening. If you are interested in more recipes using medicinal trees then see Trees and Shrubs That Heal (2023). This illustrated book makes a great gift publication at £25, available from good booksellers or from the wonderful publishers in the UK at Permanent Publications. Also available in USA from Chelsea Green Publishing in their holiday sale!