Penn Herb Wellness Guide
Eleuthero for Sports & FitnessFind Products
© Steven FosterHow 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-effectrelationship 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 | |
| Support Medicine | none |
 Reduces Effectiveness
| none |
| Potential Negative Interaction
| |
 Explanation Required
|