This is a plant you may know under the name “Siberian ginseng”, and while Siberian eleuthero has some similarities in effects to Panax ginseng, they are in no way related. They are however both adaptogens with quite a lot of research behind them, so it can be easy to see why Siberian eleuthero is often wrongfully referred to as “Siberian ginseng”! While Panax ginseng is oftentimes more specialized for stress and mood, Siberian eleuthero shines on the fitness side of the spectrum, rubbing shoulders with another familiar adaptogen, Rhodiola rosea!
Siberian eleuthero has a fantastic fatigue modulating effect, and this is really where it excels. It helps curb both physical and mental fatigue, which makes it great for boosting exercise performance, with a particular focus on dialing in physical and mental endurance. Couple this with its prominent metabolic function promoting effects, and it is clear to see why Siberian eleuthero is such a popular fitness adaptogen. In our opinion it also excels on the nootropic side, with the eleutherosides it contains having been shown to significantly promote memory!
Eleutherococcus senticosus, better known as Siberian eleuthero, or sometimes erroneously referred to as “Siberian ginseng”, is a shrub which is native to Asia and Russian, particularly Siberia. Siberian eleuthero is often referred to as Siberian ginseng, because it is thought that Siberian eleuthero shares many of the same effects as Panax ginseng. However, Siberian ginseng has no relation to Panax ginseng, and these two botanicals couldn’t be further apart from each other in terms of botanical characteristics. However, effects wise, there certainly are lots of similarities with both Siberian eleuthero and Panax ginseng belonging to the class of adaptogens, and both having energizing effects. However, if we were to make comparisons, we actually would consider Rhodiola rosea to be more closely related in effects to Siberian eleuthero. Unsurprisingly, the two are actually also oftentimes stacked together, such as in the somewhat famous “Adapt-232” formulation, which combines Siberian eleuthero with Rhodiola rosea and Schisandra chinensis.
Siberian eleuthero has a long history of traditional use, being used mainly as a way to enhance physical and mental stamina, whilst also bolstering the immune system. This would certainly come in handy in some of the harsh environments Siberian eleuthero is native to, such as Siberia, where temperatures can get very low and the terrain is rugged. Siberian eleuthero is a rich source of a class of compounds called the eleutherosides, which are a collection of saponin and sterol glycosides. Since the eleutherosides are the main bioactives in Siberian eleuthero, we decided to standardize our extract to 2% eleutherosides!
Siberian eleuthero is particularly well known for its ability to stave off both physical and mental fatigue, and due to this, it is commonly used in the context of physical exercise. Studies have shown that Siberian eleuthero has significant effects on energy metabolism, and this is likely where the bulk of its endurance effects are coming from. Siberian eleuthero achieves this via a few different pathways. First and foremost, it appears to increase the uptake of glucose into our muscles, which can enhance muscle performance. Secondly, Siberian eleuthero appears to be able to speed up the beta-oxidation of triglycerides, allowing us to derive usable energy from stored fats. Additionally, Siberian eleuthero has also been shown to slow down the accumulation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which builds up during physical exercise and is a marker for muscle fatigue.
Siberian eleuthero also appears to be able to increase the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) which metabolizes lactic acid. This has a few different effects, and of course, lactic acid can cause muscular fatigue by altering the pH of our muscles which may cause that familiar burning sensation in our muscle. However, in recent years, the concept of lactic acid causing muscle fatigue has started to become questioned. This is due to the fact that lactic acid can be converted to pyruvate, which can then be used as a source of energy by our muscles. This has led many to speculate that lactic acid build up may actually be a positive thing for muscular endurance! For lactic acid to be turned into pyruvate though, we need the help of the LDH enzyme. Thus, it is quite interesting that Siberian eleuthero can increase LDH activity, and it seems quite conceivable that the bulk of Siberian eleuthero’s endurance enhancing effects are due to this LDH activity boosting mechanism.
Siberian eleuthero also has an interesting effect on increasing mitochondrial function. This is of course very important for cellular energy production, because our mitochondria produce ATP. One of the ways by which Siberian eleuthero affects mitochondrial function, is by enhancing the process of mitochondrial biogenesis. This process leads to the creation of new mitochondria, and thus, leads to increases in ATP production. This is especially useful in the context of physical performance, because more mitochondria would translate to stronger and more efficient muscles!
Now as with any great adaptogen, Siberian eleuthero is certainly no slouch on the nootropic side either! It has been shown that Siberian eleuthero can increase the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. The mechanism by which this occurs is not entirely clear, however, the increases in these neurotransmitters seen with Siberian eleuthero supplementation likely also contribute to its mental endurance boosting effects. Other studies have indicated fairly significant increases in memory after Siberian eleuthero supplementation. The memory enhancing effect is likely linked to Siberian eleuthero’s ability to enhance neuroplasticity, which goes hand in hand with its neurotransmitter boosting effects.
The Energy Boosting Stack: Siberian Eleuthero + Rhodiola crenulata Capsules
Siberian eleuthero is perhaps best known for its positive effects on fatigue, yet it is not classically stimulating like some of the other adaptogens. Rhodiola crenulata is an adaptogen however, which certainly produces fairly palpable stimulating effects. We find that combining Siberian eleuthero with Rhodiola crenulata further amplifies the endurance promoting effects, whilst giving the stack a prominent stimulating effect!
The Metabolic Fitness Stack: Siberian Eleuthero + Cyanidin 3-Glucoside Capsules
Part of the endurance promoting effects of Siberian eleuthero is due to its effects on energy metabolism. With this in mind, we think stacking Siberian eleuthero with the nutrient partitioning cyanidin 3-glucoside, produces a potent metabolic focused fitness stack!
The Adaptogen Stack: Siberian Eleuthero + Rhodiola Rosea Capsules + Schisandra Capsules
This particular combination was quite popular back in the early days of the nootropic scene, being heralded as one of the better energizing adaptogen stacks. With this stack, we take this classic combination to the next level, while remembering the old school days of natural nootropics!
As a dietary supplement, take one tablet of Siberian Eleuthero daily.
To gain more insight, see the Siberian Eleuthero reviews and experiences below.
Nootropics Depot offers 60ct. or 180ct. jars of high-quality Siberian Eleuthero. Nootropics Depot’s Siberian Eleuthero has been lab-tested and verified for both product purity and identity.
Attention: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
