Siberian Ginseng - the boost from nature you need.

Have you ever heard of Siberian Ginseng? Or maybe by its less popular name - Eleuthero? 

Grown in parts of Russia and China, its actually the roots of this shrub that have been used in traditional medicine to prevent colds and flu, increase energy, longevity and vitality for centuries1. Rumor has it that it was one of the first herbs to have the term “Adaptogen '' applied to it. 

As well as the incredible benefits to boost your body and brain health, many athletes use this herbal remedy to boost endurance and reduce fatigue1. It’s also used to support heart health, diabetes, blood pressure, ADHD, chronic fatigue, arthritis, and the common cold and flu1. We’d like to explore some of these benefits below…

 

1. Natural Adaptogen

Adaptogens are natural substances that help your body to respond (adapt positively) to stress, anxiety, fatigue and support overall wellbeing2. Assisting your body when under chronic stress is an important factor to avoid stress related illnesses such as weight gain, heart disease, insomnia, gut issues, mental illness, muscle loss, lowered immunity, fatigue and the list goes on1. 

Aiding the body in relaxing, ‘adapting’, restoring and rebuilding are important processes that ultimately create a healthy body and supportive immune defense. 

 

2. Brain Health and alertness

Siberian ginseng has the ability to improve physical stamina and mental sharpness1 similar to caffeine, but without the stimulation, jitters or crash. Research highlights that Siberian ginseng can boost cardiorespiratory fitness, improve endurance performance and increase metabolic health1. 

Continuous use of Siberian ginseng may improve mental health, awareness, alertness, and social functioning significantly1. For males, this adaptogen has also been proven to increase natural testosterone levels1 by lowering cortisol. 

3. Memory

Siberian ginseng not only improves brain health and alertness; studies have also identified that it could potentially improve memory, cognition and relieve mental fatigue1. When someone is fully relaxed (in a parasympathetic state) and has the ability to focus efficiently; memory becomes easier, Siberian ginseng can also improve behavior and mood3. As a result, this natural ingredient could help unwind and improve mental health over time3.  

4. Reduce Inflammation

Siberian ginseng has also proven to be an effective anti-inflammatory that may help treat pain caused by tissue damage and aches3. Research has shown that supplementation of Siberian ginseng extract reduced exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation3. Inflammation in the body is the cause of most injuries and illness. Taking ginseng daily could potentially build a stronger resistance to common health problems.

5. Cold and Flu

Another benefit of Siberian ginseng includes immune support. Siberian ginseng roots contain natural compounds to help fight viruses that cause the common cold and flu1. Ginseng possesses strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties which ultimately will support immune health1. 

One study highlighted that taking ginseng daily for 8 weeks will result in a significant increase of immune cells within the body2. 

 

Conclusion:

The continuous use of Siberian ginseng has been proven to increase energy, longevity, and vitality. This natural plant not only helps reduce the impact of stress, inflammation and illness; it helps improve memory, reduce fatigue and enhance alertness.

At Switch Nutrition, we have always tried to incorporate the wisdom of traditional herbs with the modern understanding of today's science. This is why we believe that if people knew the true potential of Siberian ginseng to boost their vitality, most would include it in their routine daily.

 

Disclaimer: The above article is merely a guide and is in no way a recommendation or a treatment protocol for any health conditions or diseases. You should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before changing your supplement, training or nutritional strategy. Supplementation should not be attempted by pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone on prescription medication or children under the age of 15 unless advised by your qualified health care provider.

 

 

1Price, A. (2020) Eleuthero (siberian ginseng) benefits, dosage and side effects, Dr. Axe.   Available at: https://draxe.com/nutrition/eleuthero-siberian-ginseng/ (Accessed: October 20, 2022).

2What are adaptogens & types (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22361-adaptogens#:~:text=Adaptogens%20are%20plants%20and%20mushrooms,both%20physical%20and%20mental%20stressors. (Accessed: October 20, 2022).

3Semeco, A. (2022) 7 proven health benefits of ginseng, Healthline. Healthline Media. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ginseng-benefits#reduces-inflammation (Accessed: October 20, 2022).