Eleutherococcus senticosus tea Ci Wu Jia green tea
LATIN NAME: Eleutherococcus senticosus
COMMON NAME: Siberian Ginseng, Eleuthero, Ciwujia, Devil’s Bush
The Siberian ginseng is a tough and valued shrub of the northeastern Asian forests, and its roots have been gathered and used as a herb for a long time. It grows as a small, woody, deciduous shrub, reaching up to five metres, with upright stems covered in slender spines, bearing bold, palmate leaves of five leaflets and, in late summer, small clusters of greenish or purple flowers, followed by the small, black berries. It is native to northeastern Asia, and it is known in China as ciwujia, while its roots are the source of a valued traditional herb, known in the West as Siberian ginseng.
The Siberian ginseng belongs to the ivy family, Araliaceae, and it is a species of small, woody shrub native to northeastern Asia. It is colloquially called devil’s bush, Siberian ginseng, taiga root, eleuthero or ciwujia, and its roots are used as a traditional herb.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
The Siberian ginseng has a genuine and growing place in both traditional and scientific research. It has been studied extensively in chemistry and pharmacology, since its roots are the source of a valued traditional herb, and researchers have examined the chemistry of the plant, identifying a group of distinctive compounds known as the eleutherosides, which are the active principles of the herb, and examining their potential biological activity and their traditional uses, which has made it one of the better-studied of the adaptogenic herbs and a subject of continuing interest in natural product research. The plant has also been studied in the research on the traditional medicines of northeastern Asia, since its use has a long history, and its place in the traditional life of the region has been examined. The species has also been studied in botany and in ecology, since it is a native shrub of the forests of northeastern Asia, and its classification within the ivy family has been examined. For a shrub of such value, the Siberian ginseng has a rich and growing record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Ecologically, the Siberian ginseng is a generous shrub of the northeastern Asian forest. Its flowers feed bees and other insects, its black berries feed birds, and its thorny stems give shelter, while it is a valued member of the forests of its native range.
Its economic value is real and significant. The roots are gathered and traded as a traditional herb, valued in the herbal life of the region and beyond, and it is also grown as an ornamental shrub, while its chemistry continues to be of interest to research and industry. For a grower, the Siberian ginseng is a tough and valuable shrub, and for a gardener it brings bold, palmate leaves and a link to the traditional herbs of the northeast. The seeds need a spell of cold — keep them in the fridge in damp compost for a couple of months, then sow them in a pot of moist, free-draining compost, and they’ll sprout steadily, growing on into a thorny, leafy shrub.
Research in China has suggested that Siberian Ginseng (Ci Wu Jia, Eleuthero) is especially effective in relieving fatigue. It has a greater stimulating effect than Ginseng; but it can also calm the patient and reduce anxiety. It also strengthens the immune system. It is useful in protecting the body from damage due to radiation. It decreases inflammation. It also normalizes blood pressure. If the blood pressure is too high, it will lower the blood pressure, if it is too low, it will raise the blood pressure.
Research in China has also suggested that this herb, Ci Wu Jia, has the effect of increasing endocrine function (ovaries, testes, adrenal glands). It will increase insulin, and decrease blood sugar if it is excessively high. It has an antidiuretic property and will help prevent the patient from producing excess urine.
Some research has also suggested that this herb can be helpful in treating cancer. It may prevent the spread of the sarcoma to other parts of the body. In China, the use of this herb, Ci Wu Jia, with cancer patients is preferable to the use of Ginseng.