Eleutherococcus: biological description
Eleutherococcus is a genus of plants in the Araliaceae family, which includes about 30 species. The most well-known and used in medicine is Eleutherococcus senticosus. It is a shrub that reaches a height of up to 2-3 meters, with small thorns on the stems and palmate-like leaves. It grows mainly in East Asia, including Russia, China, Korea and Japan. It blooms in July-August, and the fruits, which are black berries, ripen in September.
Health benefits of eleutherococcus
Eleutherococcus is an adaptogen, which means its ability to increase the body’s resistance to stress and adverse conditions. It improves physical and mental performance, helps strengthen the immune system and increases energy. The use of eleutherococcus can help with chronic fatigue, weakness and decreased concentration. This plant is also known for its antioxidant properties, which helps in the fight against harmful free radicals and prevents cell damage.
Therapeutic properties of eleutherococcus
Eleutherococcus has properties due to which it is used for various medical and preventive purposes. First of all, eleutherococcus is known for its immunostimulating effect. It boosts the activity of immune cells, improving the body’s resistance to infectious diseases such as colds and flu. This plant also contributes to the overall strengthening of the body, helping to recover faster after diseases and surgeries.
The adaptogenic properties of eleutherococcus allow the body to better cope with physical and mental stress, as well as adapt to stressful situations. It helps reduce stress and anxiety, improves mood and increases resistance to adverse environmental factors.
The antioxidant properties of Eleutherococcus play an important role in protecting cells from free radical damage. These harmful molecules can cause cellular damage and accelerate the aging process. Eleutherococcus helps neutralize free radicals and protects cells from oxidative stress.
The tonic effect of eleutherococcus improves the overall tone of the body, helps to reduce fatigue and increase energy. It helps to increase physical endurance and performance, which is especially important for people who lead an active lifestyle or play sports.
In addition, eleutherococcus has a hypoglycemic effect, which helps to reduce blood sugar levels. This property makes it useful for people with diabetes or a tendency to increase glucose levels.
The use of eleutherococcus in medicine
The medicinal properties of eleutherococcus are used in medicine, and are used in the form of tinctures, extracts, tablets and capsules. It is used to increase performance, improve memory and concentration, during recovery periods after illnesses and surgeries. Eleutherococcus is often prescribed to athletes to improve fitness and increase endurance. It is also used in complex therapy for the treatment of chronic fatigue, depression and immunodeficiency conditions.
Contraindications for the use of eleutherococcus
The use of eleutherococcus may be contraindicated in a number of cases. First of all, this is hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, which can cause allergic reactions. People with hyperthermic syndrome should also avoid using eleutherococcus as it can increase the febrile state.
Eleutherococcus is contraindicated in arterial hypertension, as its stimulating properties can increase blood pressure. People with hyperexcitability and epilepsy should be careful with the use of this drug, as it can aggravate their condition. Acute infectious diseases, myocardial infarction and arrhythmias are also contraindications for taking eleutherococcus.
Insomnia and neurocirculatory dystonia require special caution when using eleutherococcus, as it can increase nervous excitation and impair sleep.
Conclusion
Eleutherococcus is a valuable herb with numerous beneficial properties, including immune-stimulating, adaptogenic, antioxidant, tonic and hypoglycemic effects. Its use in medicine helps to improve performance, strengthen the immune system, recover from diseases and reduce blood sugar levels. However, like any drug, eleutherococcus has its own contraindications and possible interactions with other drugs. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before using it to avoid possible side effects and ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
Literature:
- The effect of eleutherococcus senticosus on metabolism-associated protein expression in 3T3-L1 and C2C12 cells (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7669464/)
- 12 potential health benefits of eleuthero (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319084)
Author: Natalia Kandybey, Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Quality Director of PJSC Pharmaceutical Factory “VIOLA”
