Eleuthero for Sports & Fitness
Why Use
Why Do Athletes Use It?*
Some athletes say that eleuthero helps reduce fatigue.
What Do the Advocates Say?*
- Eleuthero (sometimes known as Siberian ginseng) is more adaptogenic than its distant relatives American and Asian ginseng.
- Eleuthero is often used as a digestive stimulant among underweight people.
- Individuals who are depleted and fatigued who use eleuthero have reported increased alertness.
Dosage & Side Effects
How Much Is Usually Taken by Athletes?
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) supplementation may improve athletic performance, according to preliminary Russian research.1 Other studies have been inconclusive and two recent double-blind studies showed no beneficial effect on endurance performance in trained men.2, 3, 4 Eleuthero strengthens the immune system and thus might reduce the risk of post-exercise infection. Although some doctors suggest taking 1 to 4 ml (0.2 to 0.8 tsp) of fluid extract of eleuthero three times per day, evidence supporting the use of this herb to enhance athletic performance remains weak.
Side Effects
Reported side effects have been minimal with use of eleuthero.5 Mild, transient diarrhea has been reported in a very small number of users. Eleuthero may cause insomnia in some people if taken too close to bedtime. Eleuthero is not recommended for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure. There are no known reasons to avoid eleuthero during pregnancy and breast-feeding. However, pregnant or breast-feeding women should be aware that some products may be adulterated with herbs that should not be taken in pregnancy, such as Asian ginseng. Only eleuthero from a trusted source should be used.
Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds
In one case report, a person taking eleuthero with digoxin developed dangerously high serum digoxin levels.6 Although a clear cause-and-effect relationship could not be established, it is wise for someone taking digoxin to seek the advise of a doctor before taking eleuthero.
Interactions with Medicines
Certain medicines interact with this supplement.
Replenish Depleted Nutrients
-
none
Reduce Side Effects
-
Bicalutamide
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Capecitabine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Cisplatin
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Cladribine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Cyclophosphamide
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Cytarabine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Docetaxel
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Erlotinib
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Etoposide
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Floxuridine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Fludarabine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Fluorouracil
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Hydroxyurea
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Influenza Virus Vaccine
Some Russian studies suggest that eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) may reduce the risk of postvaccination reactions.
-
Irinotecan
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Mercaptopurine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Methotrexate
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Paclitaxel
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Thioguanine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Vinblastine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Vincristine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
Support Medicine
-
none
Reduces Effectiveness
-
none
Potential Negative Interaction
-
Clopidogrel
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) was associated with a decrease in warfarin activity in a case study. This report suggests that ginseng may affect parameters of bleeding. Therefore, people taking ticlopidine should consult with a physician knowledgeable about botanical medicines before taking Asian ginseng or eleuthero/Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus).
-
Digoxin
People taking digoxin require regular monitoring of serum digoxin levels. In one report, addition of a product identified as Siberian ginseng to stable, therapeutic digoxin treatment was associated with dangerously high serum digoxin levels. The patient never experienced symptoms of digoxin toxicity. Laboratory analysis found the product was free of digoxin-like compounds but the contents were not further identified. This report may reflect an interaction of eleuthero with the laboratory test to cause a falsely elevated reading, rather than actually increasing digoxin levels.
-
Dipyridamole
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) was associated with a decrease in warfarin activity in a case study. This report suggests that ginseng may affect parameters of bleeding. Therefore, people taking ticlopidine should consult with a physician knowledgeable about botanical medicines before taking Asian ginseng or eleuthero/Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus).
-
Ticlopidine
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) was associated with a decrease in warfarin activity in a case study. This report suggests that ginseng may affect parameters of bleeding. Therefore, people taking ticlopidine should consult with a physician knowledgeable about botanical medicines before taking Asian ginseng or eleuthero/Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus).
-
Warfarin
Asian ginseng was associated with a decrease in warfarin activity in a case report. However, in a clinical trial, no interaction was seen between Asian ginseng and warfarin. An animal study also found no significant interaction between warfarin and pure ginseng extract. Nevertheless, persons taking warfarin should consult with a physician knowledgeable about botanical medicines if they are considering taking Asian ginseng or eleuthero/Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus). A 1999 animal study did not reveal any significant interaction between warfarin and pure ginseng extract.
Explanation Required
-
Busulfan
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Carboplatin
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Carmustine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Chlorambucil
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Ifosfamide
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Lomustine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Mechlorethamine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Melphalan
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Polifeprosan 20 with Carmustine
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Thiotepa
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy. Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
More Resources
Resources
Last Review: 06-08-2015
Copyright © 2025 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.
Learn more about TraceGains, the company.
The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.
