There are three main species of ginseng, Oriental, Siberian and American. While all three forms share many common elements, there are differences among them. Siberian ginseng is not truly ginseng at all.
Siberian ginseng, eleutherococcus senticocus is a distant cousin to the panax ginseng of the Orient. While Siberian ginseng shares many of the same properties of Oriental species, it is easier to cultivate and generally sells for much less.
Eleuthero, formerly Siberian Ginseng, (Glandular) is a member of the ginseng family, though it is of a different genus than other popular ginsengs such as the Panax variety. Herbalists call it an adaptogen. Its name comes from the Chinese jen shen, which means “”man root,”” so-named because some roots have limb-like branches resembling arms and legs. Because the root has a humanlike shape, it is considered by Orientals to be an overall body tonic.
Siberian ginseng only gained recognition in the West in the 1950s, when I. I. Brekhman, a Russian scientist, reported notable stress-repelling powers of Siberian ginseng. Healthy men and women taking the herb were found to better endure physical strain, resist disease and perform tests of mental sharpness.
All the research about Siberian ginseng has been carried out in the former Soviet Union. Siberian ginseng is to stimulate the activity of killer and helper T-cells (CD8 and CD4). It also reduces chemotherapy side-effects and appears to increase resistance to viral infections.
Siberian ginseng, “Eleutherococcus senticosus” is described as an adaptogen, a compound thought to be able to normalise the functioning of the body whatever form of disease is present. It should not be confused with forms of panax ginseng (Chinese or Korean).
Siberian ginseng is found in the Siberian province of Russia. The root is not harvested until it is two or more years old; the older the root, the higher its value.
Westerners are perhaps the most familiar with the plant’s botanical cousin Panax ginseng, but Siberian ginseng’s apparent ability to fight fatigue and alleviate myriad ailments has earned it an enthusiastic following. Many people use it the way traditional Chinese healers do–to reinforce the body’s vital energy. Others take it to enhance memory and ward off colds and flu. In Russia, millions of people use the herb as a general tonic.
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