Products
Cut taiga root is available in pharmacies and drugstores as an open commodity, and alternative medicine preparations such as mother tinctures are traded. In November 2009, a drug was approved by Swissmedic for the first time in many countries (Vigor Eleutherococcus, capsules). It contains the ethanolic dry root extract Eleutherococci radicis extractum ethanolicum siccum. Other drugs followed.
Stem plant
The parent plant belongs to the Aralia family (Araliaceae). The thorny shrub is native to eastern Russia, China, Japan and Korea, and is also known as Siberian ginseng.
Medicinal drug
The dried, whole or cut, underground parts of the plant are used as the medicinal drug (Eleutherococci radix). The European Pharmacopoeia requires a minimum content of the constituents eleutheroside B and eleutheroside E.
Ingredients
Taiga roots contains, among others, the so-called eleutherosides, which are mainly triterpene saponins and phenylpropanoids.
Effects
Taiga root is believed to have adaptogenic, stimulant, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties.
Indications for use
Taiga root extract is approved in many countries as a traditionally used tonic to strengthen and invigorate in cases of fatigue and weakness. It is used in cases of declining performance or concentration and in convalescence. Numerous other possible applications are described in the literature.
Dosage
According to the package insert. Prepared as an infusion, a daily dose of 2-3 g of drug is recommended. The capsules are approved for use from 12 years of age. The dose is 1-2 capsules twice a day with some liquid.
Contraindications
Taiga root is contraindicated in hypersensitivity and should not be taken for hypertension as a precaution. Full precautions can be found in the patient information leaflet.
Interactions
There are isolated reports of drug-drug interactions, including with antidiabetics, insulins, barbiturates, and anticoagulants. Thus, interactions with other drugs cannot be ruled out.
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects include sleep disturbance, nervousness, rapid pulse, headache, fatigue, and gastrointestinal distress.
