What Is Eleuthero Tea

Eleuthero aka Eleutherococcus senticosus is also known as Siberian Ginseng. Actually it is not related to the Ginseng family, although it has herbal properties like Ginseng. It grows in thickets in Northeast China, Eastern Russia, Korea and Hokkaido. It comes to the United States primarily from Siberia and China. In China it is called ci-wu-jia. The Chinese have used this root for approximately 2000 years. It was also originally used in the Siberian Taiga area in Russia as well.

It is commonly called devils shrub, devils root and touch-me-not. The dried root and underground parts are used for herbal remedies for various conditions. The root as well as the powdered root can be used as Eleuthero Tea. An average dose can be 2-3 grams a day. It can be taken for 6 to 8 weeks at the average dosage. That works out to about 3 cups a day. A week to 2-week break should then be taken in between using it for 6 to 8 week periods. The root can be put into boiling water as a decoction for 45 to 90 minutes. You then cover and cool and you drink the tea. It can be used alone or as tisane with other herbs. The root can be re-steeped for a second use.

Eleuthero is what is known as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is an agent that helps the body fight against stress. Eleuthero tea is drunk to boost energy levels and increase immunity. Herbalists use Eleuthero tea as a liver detoxifier. When a patient has taken medications that are known to cause stress to the liver natural practitioners give Eleuthero tea as one of the remedies to detoxify the liver in their alternative medical regimes. They also give a prescription of Eleuthero tea to those women who suffer from menopausal symptoms, elderly people that complain of weakness, for physical and mental stress, sleep deprivation caused by anxiety and in cancer therapy. In Chernobyl after the accident Russian and Ukrainian citizens exposed to the radiation were given Eleuthero tea to counteract the radiation poisoning.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has used Eleuthero tea as part of their comprehensive health treatments for centuries. It has been used in China for over 2000 years to stimulate qi. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) treats rheumatism, weak liver and kidneys as well as low energy levels with Eleuthero tea. They also prescribe Eleuthero tea for prevention against respiratory tract infections as well as the common cold and flu.

Many Eleuthero tea drinkers claim that drinking Eleuthero tea gives them mental acuteness and increased physical stamina. There are minimal side effects reported from drinking Eleuthero tea. A very small percentage of Eleuthero tea drinkers experienced mild diarrhea. It can cause insomnia if taken too close to bedtime. It is not recommended for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure. Those with controlled high blood pressure should consult their doctors before taking it. It is also not recommended for pregnant and lactating women.

Eleuthero can be found in your local health food store or on line. It is available in ready to use tea bags as well as in the root form. For convenience I recommend the tea bags. All you have to do is pour the boiling water into the cup with the tea bag and drink. It�s easier than preparing the root.

Chinese Medicine