Eleuthero is an Asian herb that has been used for thousands of years as a healing remedy in folk medicine. However, human-based evidence of its health effects is limited.

Eleuthero was formerly classified as Eleutherococcus senticosus and later reclassified as Acanthopanax senticosus.

Its common name was Siberian ginseng, but this was also changed to “eleuthero” to avoid confusion with true ginseng, which includes Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).

That said, eleuthero is a relative of ginseng. It grows in the same Asian regions and has similar effects. But true ginseng is more prized for its better-researched health effects. It’s also much more expensive than eleuthero.

Today, eleuthero is sometimes used as a cheaper — though potentially less effective — ginseng replacement.

Eleuthero’s benefits may be comparable to ginseng’s but are considered less potent. People may take it as a tincture, tea, bulk herb, supplement capsule, or pill.

Herbalists and other natural practitioners call eleuthero an “adaptogen.” Adaptogens are botanicals that may help the body cope with the effects of stress.

People may also take this herb for its physical effects. For example, some athletes may use eleuthero to enhance their athletic performance, and others take it to get through physically demanding work days.

That said, there isn’t sufficient researchTrusted Source to verify that eleuthero does indeed help with all of these issues in humans. Thus the evidence remains mainly anecdotal.

Test tube research has verified that eleuthero does contain various phenolic compounds, and consuming such compounds is thought to be beneficial for health.

Eleuthero also contains polysaccharides, which are essential macromolecules foundTrusted Source in all living organisms and play key roles in biological functions, including acting as antioxidants.

One 2021 study also examined the herb’s effect on macrophages, a type of immune system white cell. Analysis of both root and bark extracts showed that treatment with either extract might help decrease the body’s inflammatory response.

Another 2024 animal study suggests the herb may improve cognitive impairment associated with dementia, while a 2022 animal study suggests that eleuthero may help reduce depression by regulating the metabolism of various compounds.

One recent clinical study on older adults found that supplementing with the herb seemed to improve cardiac heart function, which is your heart rate during resting and standing tests. That said, it isn’t possible to extrapolate from this that eleuthero can support heart function in general.

Another study looked at severe people living with cancer who took eleuthero supplements for 28 days, finding improvement in their cancer-related fatigue levels. The study was, however, very small. Only 4 out of 7 people who completed the study showed improvement.

Older clinical studies have also shownTrusted Source that taking eleuthero supplements may help increase energy levels by improving oxygen intake and utilizing fatty acids for energy, resulting in enhanced performance.

Bottom line

Ultimately, however, more human researchTrusted Source is needed to show how eleuthero might actually affect people in these areas.

Despite the uncertainty in research, eleuthero should be safe to use. But, you should discontinue using it if you experience discomfort of any sort.

Some potential side effects include diarrhea, stomach upset, and headache, so be sure to follow the recommended dosages.

If buying an herbal supplement or other preparation, make sure you’ve purchased eleuthero or Siberian ginseng, not true ginseng. Though related and somewhat similar, they are different herbs with different safety outlines.

Note also that herbs such as eleuthero are not monitored by the Food and Drug AdministrationTrusted Source (FDA) for quality or purity, nor does it verifyTrusted Source that they’re effective before they go to market, so buy it with caution.

There’s limited information on whether eleuthero is safe for children or while pregnant or nursing. In addition, older researchTrusted Source also suggests that it’s possible to develop an allergic reaction to the herb, which in rare cases can be dangerous.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction to a trigger, such as an allergy, and is potentially life threatening.

Symptoms can develop quickly and include:

  • feeling faint or lightheaded
  • difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • rapid heartbeat
  • confusion
  • anxiety
  • clammy skin
  • collapsing or losing consciousness
  • hives
  • swelling
  • stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting

If you or someone nearby develops these symptoms, you should:

  1. Check to see whether they have an epinephrine pen. If they do, read and follow the instructions to dispense the medication.
  2. Dial 911 (or a local emergency number).
  3. Lay them down. If they have vomited, lay them on their side.
  4. Stay with them until emergency services arrive.

It is possible for someone to need more than one injection with an epinephrine pen. If symptoms do not begin to clear after 5 minutes, give a second injection if one is available.

Drug interactions

Eleuthero may interact with the following medications:

  • digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • diabetes medications
  • blood thinners
  • blood pressure drugs
  • immunosuppressants
  • chemotherapy drugs
  • hormonal drugs
  • steroids
  • cholesterol drugs
  • antivirals

It may also interact with any medication broken down by the liver because the herb can affect the speed of metabolism.

For thousands of years, people have used eleuthero for numerous health benefits, but studies confirming these benefits on people are limited. Talk to your doctor about it to see if it could be right for you.

Follow the recommended dosage and you should be able to enjoy the herb’s all-natural, subtle health improvements for yourself. These could include better energy and antioxidant effects.