Eleuthero Root - Bulk Herb

Eleuthero Root (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Eleuthero is a hardy shrub native to the mountain forests of Japan, China, Korea, and far eastern Russia, where it grows as an understory plant at elevations up to around 2,500 feet. A member of the Araliaceae family — making it a botanical relative of American ginseng and Devil's walkingstick — eleuthero has been woven into the herbal traditions of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Korean folk herbalism, and Russian folk medicine for thousands of years. In fact, it appears in the Chinese Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, one of the oldest materia medica texts, composed over 2,000 years ago.

Also commonly known as Siberian ginseng, eleuthero gained worldwide recognition in the 1960s when Soviet researchers began publishing studies on its properties — and it was a Soviet scientist, N.V. Lazarev, who first coined the term adaptogen to describe the way eleuthero helps the body build resilience against stress and adverse conditions. From there, its reputation spread westward, and it can now be found in health food stores across North America and is formally recognized in France, Germany, and Russia.

Traditional Uses

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, eleuthero root is used to invigorate qi (vital energy), nourish the spleen and kidneys, and promote overall balance and wellness. It has also traditionally been employed to support restful sleep and is often prepared in sweet rice wine. Energetically, it is considered warming, with an affinity for the spleen, kidney, and heart meridians.

In the folk traditions of northeastern Asia and far eastern Russia, eleuthero — known there as shigoka — has long been used as a general tonic, prized for its qi-strengthening and stamina-supporting qualities. Today it is widely used in Western herbalism as well, steeped as a tea or taken as an extract.

Precautions: No known precautions. We recommend consulting a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.