Siberian Ginseng and Hair Loss

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) appears to be beneficial in stimulating hair growth in women. It is often used as one of the ingredients in natural hair loss treatments, although no clinical studies on any of these treatments have been carried out to date. Siberian ginseng is rich in minerals and is believed to reduce stress levels. The herb has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and is thought to increase endurance, improve memory and boost the immune system. By strengthening the immune system Siberian ginseng may also help in preventing illness.

Siberian ginseng, also known as Ci Wu Jia, Devil’s Bush, Eleuthero, Siberian Root, Shigoka, Taiga, Thorny Pepperbush, Touch-Me-Not and Wild Pepper, is a species of small, woody shrub growing to a height of 2 metres. Both the branches and the stem are covered with thorns. The flowers are yellow or violet in colour, grow in umbrella-shaped clusters, and turn into round, black berries in late summer. The root itself is woody and is brownish, wrinkled, and twisted.

Siberian ginseng is different from both American ginseng and Panax ginseng. It is commonly called eleuthero, and was previously marketed in the United States as Siberian ginseng because it has similar herbal properties to those of Panax ginseng. However, it belongs to a different genus in the family Araliaceae. It is currently illegal in the United States to market eleuthero as Siberian Ginseng since “ginseng” only refers to Panax species.

Siberian ginseng grows in mixed and coniferous mountain forests. Its native habitat is East Asia, China, Japan and Russia. The plant will grow in sandy, loamy and heavy clay soils with acid, neutral or alkaline chemistry. It flowers in July in most habitats. The flowers are hermaphroditic and are pollinated by insects.

Side effects of Siberian ginseng

Reported side effects have been minimal with use of Siberian ginseng. Mild, transient diarrhea has been reported in a very small number of users.

Patients with medicated high blood pressure should consult their doctor before taking Siberian ginseng as it may reduce their need for medication.

Siberian ginseng may cause light sleep in some individuals. Users are recommended not to take it in the evening.

Siberian ginseng when purchased from non-GMP manufacturers has occasionally been contaminated with Periploca graeca which can potentiate digoxin or similar drugs.

Diabetic patients should take Siberian ginseng solely under medical supervision.

Combining Siberian ginseng with other plants or substances that have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, such as guarana, coffee, or green and black tea should be avoided.

Siberian ginseng should be avoided:

• during pregnancy and lactation
• by patients with very high blood pressure, liver or kidney disease
• during the acute phase of infections
• at night in individuals suffering from insomnia

This herb is not prescribed for children, and should not be used for more than 3 weeks at one time.

Possible drug interactions of Siberian ginseng

Siberian ginseng may interact with certain medications, such as sedatives, barbiturates and anti psychotic drugs. It can also cause an increase in the effects of oral anti-diabetic medications.

If being treated for any of the following medications, Siberian ginseng should not be taken without first talking to your health care provider:

Digoxin: Siberian ginseng may raise blood levels of digoxin, a drug used to treat heart conditions. This can increase the risk of adverse side effects from this medication.

Sedatives for insomnia: Caution should be used when considering the use of Siberian ginseng with sedatives, primarily barbiturates (a class of medications including pentobarbital used to treat sleep problems or seizures).

Siberian ginseng dosage

Siberian ginseng is available as liquid extracts, solid extracts, powders, capsules and tablets. It can also be obtained as dried or cut root for tea.

It is important to note that there is variation in the quality of Siberian ginseng. Previous evaluations of commercial products claiming to have Siberian ginseng found that as many as 25% of these products had no measurable ginseng at all. Plus, many formulas for sale were contaminated with contents not marked on the label. Care should be taken to purchase Siberian ginseng from reputable manufacturers.

Adult

• Dried root: The recommended dose is 500 – 3,000 mg, daily (tea or capsules)
• Tincture: Herb and alcohol, or herb, alcohol, and water; 1/2 – 1 teasoon, 2-3 times daily.
• Standardized extract: 100 – 200 mg, 2 times daily (standardized to contain 0.8 – 1 % eleutherosides Band E).

For long-term health problems, such as fatigue or stress, Siberian ginseng can be taken for 3 months, followed by 2 – 3 weeks without taking the herb. These cycles can be repeated, but this should be done under the supervision of a health care provider.

Pediatric

This herb is generally not recommended for use in children.

Constituents of Siberian ginseng

Siberian ginseng supplements are made from the root. The root contains a mixture of components, common to many plants but occurring together in Siberian ginseng, called eleutherosides. Amongst the other ingredients are polysaccharides, which have been found to boost the immune system and lower blood sugar levels in laboratory studies using animals. The major constituents of Siberian ginseng are Ciwujianoside A-E, Eleutheroside B (Syringin), Eleutherosides A-M, Friedelin and Isofraxidin.

Health benefits of Siberian ginseng

Siberian ginseng is a relatively new addition to Western herbal medicine. The herb is an adaptogen and is anticholesteremic, mildly anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, a nervine and an immune tonic. Unlike many herbs with medicinal applications, Siberian ginseng is useful in maintaining good health, rather than just treating ill health.

Currently, most of the research supporting the medicinal uses of Siberian ginseng comes from Russian or Korean. Siberian ginseng contains eleutherosides and triterpenoid saponins. These compounds are lipophilic and can target hormone receptors. Siberian ginseng is claimed to possess a variety of medicinal properties which include:

• boosting the immune system
• boosting endurance
• improving memory
• anti-inflammatory
• chemoprotective
• radioprotective

Immunogenic properties of Siberian ginseng

Siberian ginseng taken regularly can enhance immune function, decrease cortisol levels and inflammatory response, and promote improved cognitive and physical performance.  In clinical studies Siberian ginseng has been successfully used to treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation, angina, hypercholesterolemia, neurasthenia with headache, insomnia and poor appetite.

Siberian ginseng has been shown to have immunoprotective effects against breast (mammary gland) carcinoma, stomach carcinoma, oral cavity carcinoma, skin melanoma and ovarian carcinoma. It was found to have a pronounced effect on T lymphocytes, predominantly of the helper/inducer type, but also on cytotoxic and natural killer cells. Siberian ginseng may also be of benefit in combating herpes simplex type II infections.

Recent scientific data also suggests that Siberian ginseng may prove valuable in the long-term management of various diseases of the immune system, including HIV infection, chronic fatigue syndrome and autoimmune illnesses such as lupus.

At present, there is no consensus as to how Siberian ginseng boosts immune system function. Some studies point to Siberian ginseng inducing an increase in interferon biosynthesis. Interferon is a powerful biochemical that has been shown to enhance immune-system activity. It is also believed that polysaccharides (long-chain sugar molecules) found in Siberian ginseng can stimulate the activity of macrophages. These white blood cells have a number of functions in the immune system, including the ingestion and breakdown of infective cells and the stimulation of other immune system cells.

Siberian ginseng as a tonic

Germany’s Commission E has approved Siberian ginseng for use as a tonic in times of fatigue and debility, and during convalescence.

Siberian ginseng and Chinese medicine

Siberian ginseng has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for 2000 years as a remedy for bronchitis, heart ailments and rheumatism. It has also been used as a tonic to restore vigor, improve general health, restore memory, promote healthy appetite and increase stamina. Referred to as ci wu ju in Chinese medicine, it is also used to treat respiratory tract infections, as well as colds and flu.

Siberian ginseng is valued for its beneficial effects on “qi” and its ability to treat “yang” deficiency in the spleen and kidney. Siberian ginseng is considered to be an adaptogen. For example, an adaptogen can lower blood pressure in an individual with high blood pressure, but can raise blood pressure in an individual with low blood pressure.

Siberian ginseng and athletics

Siberian ginseng’s ability to increase stamina and endurance led Soviet Olympic athletes to take it as part of their training regime. It has been shown to enhance mental acuity and physical endurance without the drop off associated with caffeinated products. Research has shown that Siberian ginseng enhances the utilization of oxygen by exercising muscle.

Siberian ginseng and radiation protection

After the Chernobyl accident, many Siberian citizens were given Siberian ginseng to counteract the effects of radiation.

Clinical studies on Siberian ginseng

Until recently, most scientific research on Siberian ginseng was conducted in Russia.

Siberian ginseng is now used in some treatment centres in the support of cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, especially in Germany. Studies have shown that Siberian ginseng, when given to cancer patients, significantly reduces the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy (e.g., nausea, weakness, fatigue, dizziness and loss of appetite). Other research with cancer patients has linked Siberian ginseng with improved healing and recovery times and improved immune cell counts.

Immune system

In a clinical study carried out by Bohn and co-workers in West Germany 18 subjects were evaluated for a total of 4 weeks. Venous blood was taken both before and after the administration of Siberian ginseng. Overall, the Siberian ginseng treatment group showed an increase in immune cells. Total T-cell numbers were 78% higher, T helper/ inducer cells increased by 80%, cytotoxic T cells were 67% higher and NK cells rose by 30%, compared to the control group. B-cell lymphocytes, which are cells that produce antibodies against infectious organisms, also showed an increase of 22% in Siberian ginseng treated subjects, as compared with controls. No side effects were reported.

Mental performance

A 3-month study of Siberian ginseng in middle-aged volunteers found that there was a significant improvement in memory and concentration as compared to placebo.

Herpes viral infection

A 6-month study of 93 people with herpes simplex virus type 2 (which can cause genital herpes lesions) found that Siberian ginseng reduced frequency, severity and duration of outbreaks. Talk to your doctor about whether it is safe or appropriate for you to use Siberian ginseng as a supplement to prevent herpes outbreaks.