Eleutherococcus senticosus
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| Species: | E. senticosus
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Eleutherococcus senticosus is a species of small, woody shrub in the family Araliaceae native to Northeastern Asia. It is often colloquially referred to as Siberian ginseng, eleuthero or ciwujia. E. senticosus has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine where it is known as cì wǔ jiā (刺五加).[1] In regard to the species's scientific name, Eleutherococcus (from Greek) means "free-berried," and senticosus, from the Latin word sentis (thorn-bush, briar) is an adjective meaning "thorny" or "full of briers or thorns."
Growth
The herb grows in mixed and coniferous mountain forests, forming low undergrowth or is found in groups in thickets and edges. Eleutherococcus senticosus is sometimes found in oak groves at the foot of cliffs, very rarely in high forest riparian woodland. Its native habitat is East Asia, China, Japan, and Russia. E. senticosus is broadly tolerant of soils, growing in sandy, loamy, and heavy clay soils with acid, neutral, or alkaline chemistry and including soils of low nutritional value. It can tolerate sun or dappled shade and some degree of pollution. E. senticosus is a deciduous shrub growing to 2m at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 3. It flowers in July in most habitats. The flowers are hermaphroditic and are pollinated by insects.[3]
Alternative medicine
Eleutherococcus senticosus is promoted for having a wide range of health benefits, including boosting mental performance and making chemotherapy more effective.[4][5] Such claims are, however, not supported by medical evidence.[6]
Chemical constituents
Major constituents of essential oil from leaves of Eleutherococcus senticosus include α-bisabolol (26%), β-caryophyllene (7%), germacrene D (7%), β-bisabolene (5%), and α-humulene (4%).[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Eleutherococcus senticosus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
- ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
- ^ "Eleutherococcus senticosus". Plants for a Future. Retrieved 2013-01-16.
- ^ Halstead B, Hood L (1984). Eleutherococcus senticosis–Siberian Ginseng, OHAI. p.7.
- ^ Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, Art of Medicine Press, City of Industry, CA 2004
- ^ Ades TB, ed. (2009). "Eleuthero". American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies (2nd ed.). American Cancer Society. pp. 337–339. ISBN 9780944235713.
- ^ Zhai, C; Wang, M; Raman, V; Rehman, J U; Meng, Y; Zhao, J; Avula, B; Wang, Y H; Tian, Z; Khan, IA (2017). "Eleutherococcus senticosus (Araliaceae) Leaf Morpho-Anatomy, Essential Oil Composition, and Its Biological Activity Against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)". Journal of Medical Entomology. 54 (3): 658–669. doi:10.1093/jme/tjw221. PMID 28399215.