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 Q: Is there any benefit for a bodybuilder to take Siberian ginseng?
A: Ginseng is one of those supplements that seems to have been around forever. The general consensus among the weight training fraternity seems to be that it has little measurable effect on performance in the gym. Siberian ginseng, however, is different. For one thing it’s not really ginseng at all. Its scientific name is Eleutherococcus senticosus (EC) and it is derived from a thorny creeping Siberian plant which grows from 3 to 10 feet tall. The plant also grows in northeast China, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, and in Korea. It is a (very) distant cousin of the ginseng root. The Russians were on to this plant ages ago. After years of research at the USSR Academy of Science’s Institute of Biologically Active substances, test results were made available. Results were astounding to say the least. In one study a group of athletes were given EC prior to a 10 mile race, with a control group receiving a placebo. Those who took EC cut an average of 5 minutes from their times in comparison to the control group. Tests with weight trainers have shown that EC allows an athlete to have a markedly improved level of training stamina, along with improved reflexes and greater levels of concentration. EC contains remarkable compounds known as glycosides which have a beneficial affect on the adrenal glands. The adrenals are small glands that sit atop the kidneys. They release stress-inhibiting hormones. That is one reason why EC allows a bodybuilder to endure more physical stress in the gym. As a side benefit it will help fight stress in general, increase disease resistance, combat colds and flu and give an enhanced overall sense of vitality. EC is also a great aid in effecting recovery between work-outs. Siberian ginseng is available in liquid extracts, solid extracts, powders, capsules, and tablets, and as dried or cut root for tea. When it comes to buying it, however, it is very much a matter of buyer beware. The quality and amount of EC found in different products varies widely. One study revealed that 25% of products claiming to contain Siberian ginseng actually contained no measurable ginseng at all. So if you do buy it, make sure you deal with a reputable supplier. In China, this herb is called ci wu jia, and this name has appeared on some packaging in the United States as well. It is also referred to as eleuthero, eleuthero-ginseng, or eleuthera. Take EC before 3 pm in order to prevent insomnia. You should take 100 milligrams of standardized extract in capsule or liquid form two to four times per day, depending on your training schedule. People with high blood pressure should not take EC, nor should pregnant or breast feeding women. Long term use of EC has also been linked to gastrointestinal upset and over stimulation in some people. If you notice such reactions, stop using this herb.
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