Practical
Plants

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Siberian Ginseng

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Eleutherococcus genus in the family Araliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves and buds - cooked[1][8]. The dried leaves are used as a tea substitute[1][8].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Siberian ginseng is a powerful tonic herb with an impressive range of health benefits. Unlike many herbs with a medicinal use, it is more useful for maintaining good health rather than treating ill health. Research has shown that it stimulates resistance to stress and so it is now widely used as a tonic in times of stress and pressure[12]. This plant is a very commonly used folk treatment in China and Russia where it is used as a ginseng substitute[10]. It is a pungent bitter-sweet warming herb that is said to be stronger in its action than ginseng[11]. Regular use is said to restore vigour, improve the memory and increase longevity[10]. The root and the root bark are adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, tonic and vasodilator. It is taken internally during convalescence and in the treatment of menopausal problems, geriatric debility, physical and mental stress etc[11]. It works by strengthening the bodies natural immune system[5][6][7][11]. It has also been used to combat radiation sickness and exposure to toxic chemicals[9][10][11]. This herb is not prescribed for children, and should not be used for more than 3 weeks at one time[11]. Caffeine should not be taken when using this herb[11]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[11].

Product or use
Adaptogen
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasodilator

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Siberia.
Habitat
Mixed and coniferous mountain forests, forming small undergrowth or groups in thickets and edges. Sometimes found in oak groves at the foot of cliffs, very rarely in high forest riparian woodland[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[9]. It can be slow to germinate. Stored seed requires 6 months warm followed by 3 months cold stratification[3] and can be very slow to germinate[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3][9]. Cuttings of ripe wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 30cm long in a cold frame[11]. Root cuttings in late winter[9]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[9].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light warm open loamy humus-rich soil and a position sheltered from north and east winds[2][9]. Prefers a well-drained soil and full sun[9]. (A surprising report, this species is a woodland plant and we would expect it to prefer shade[K]) Tolerates urban pollution and poor soils[9]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c if they are sheltered from cold winds[9]. A highly polymorphic species[13]. Siberian ginseng is cultivated as a medicinal plant in Russia and China[5].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

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  5. Kamen. B. Siberian Ginseng.

    ↩1↩2

  6. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  7. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

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  8. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  12. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

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  13. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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