Goldenseal, Ashwagandha, and echinacea Boost Treatment Effect of The Herb
By Dae Sun Hong, L.Ac.
Eleuthero helps reduce uncomfortable symptoms, such as muscular and joint pain, that are affected by cloudy weather or excessive stress. The herb has been frequently used in herbal formulas that treat coldness, joint or muscular pain or spasm, and sore back or knees. Eleuthero has been studied by Russian scientists and started to be called Siberian Ginseng. It is a fact that Eleuthero belongs to the Araliaceae family and is a distant relative of Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng). Nowadays, it is called Eleuthero to prevent being confused with Korean Ginseng. The root and the rhizomes (underground stem) are used medicinally.
Indications
According to KAISER PERMANENTE, the supplement has been used for athletic performance, fatigue, immune function, stress, common cold and sore throat, HIV and AIDS support, infection, and influenza.
The herb is generally used for symptoms like fibromyalgia, body aches, insomnia, fatigue, and depressional feeling. To reduce stress levels, it is recommended to prescribe the herb with Ashwagandha, goldenseal, and echinacea to enhance the treatment effect.
Eleuthero is an “adaptogen” (an agent that helps the body adapt to stress). It is thought to help support adrenal gland function when the body is challenged by stress.
Cortisol, also known as a stress hormone, is secreted from the adrenal cortex and helps the body react properly to stress by controlling the immune system, heart function, and metabolism. And it damages homeostasis and increases sensitivity toward stress. A proper amount of the hormone in the bloodstream is not considered a serious risk factor, but if the amount of the hormone increases and continuously maintains a high level in the bloodstream, it could be a reason to suppress normal immune reactions and obesity.
A recent study published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology introduced that severe COVID-19 patient’s oxygen saturation level and cortisol levels could affect the immune system and make them vulnerable to the infection.
The herb enhances blood circulation, especially in the brain, and an increased amount of blood circulation directly affects cognitive functions in positive ways. If a patient’s blood pressure is increased with a higher level of stress, Eleuthero lowers blood pressure. It also decreases glucose levels.
A patient with chemotherapy who suffers from nausea, loss of appetite, and difficulty falling asleep could be moderated by applying CBD, which contains THC, CBN, and Eleuthero. Nausea, car sickness, or sea sickness with fatigue and degenerative or inflammatory joint pain could be eased with Eleuthero.
In Doinguibogam, a Korean Medicine classic introduced the herb as increasing cognitive functions such as memory and concentration of the elders and enhancing the quality of life of the elders. The herb is also used to cure a child who cannot walk after reaching the age of walking.
How To Use
Eleuthero is considered a warm herb and being prepared after soaking in Soju, which is brewed in traditional ways to get faster pain relieving. The herb is easily purchased in any herbal dispensary. More various types of herbs, such as capsules, extract, and tea bag forms, could easily be found in most supplement shops.
Suppose you want to use Eleuthero to boost your immune system, manage stress levels, and prevent the common cold. In that case, the herb will be more effective by adding Goldenseal, Echinacea, Tumeric, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsely, and Cayenne pepper.
For the management of stress, add Ashwagandha along with Eleuthero. Both Eleuthero and Ashwagandha help control continuously reducing stress and anxious feelings throughout the day.
Eleuthero could replace Ginseng in an herbal formula to boost immune response and enhance energy levels.
As I already mentioned, Eleuthero is one of the Adaptogenic herbs which helps stress levels and boosts immune systems against pathogens but does not harm the human body. In general, all Adaptogenic herbs can be used single herb formula, which is strong enough to yield treatment effects like tonifying emptiness and treatment from the herb.
