Eleuthero: Side Effects, Blood Pressure and Other Cautions
Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) side effects, what the sources say about blood pressure, bleeding and blood sugar, medicine interactions, and who is advised to avoid it.
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Short answer. Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus, often sold as "Siberian ginseng") is described in the sources we read as generally well tolerated. The documented side effects are mostly insomnia, irritability, a fast heartbeat and headache. [1] A reference for breastfeeding says it "may" raise blood pressure, bleeding and blood sugar, and that evidence for its common uses is weak. [2] Those "may" statements are the reason for the cautions below, not proof of harm in any one person.
Before you start. This is information, not medical advice. If you take blood pressure, heart, diabetes, blood-thinning or antidepressant medicines, ask a pharmacist or the prescriber first. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own. See How medicine interactions work.
Which plant this page is about
Eleuthero is Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim., family Araliaceae, an accepted name in the GBIF plant database. [3] The part used in medicines is the root. [1] It is also known as Siberian ginseng, but it is not related to true ginseng and has different constituents. [2] The "eleutherosides" named on labels, including eleutherosides B (syringin) and E (syringaresinol), are the compounds used to identify it. [2] Results for Panax ginsengs do not transfer to eleuthero. See Ginseng types compared and the main eleuthero profile.Side effects reported
| Effect | What the source says | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Insomnia, irritability, fast heartbeat, headache | Reported with root medicines; frequency not known. [1] | Regulator summary (EMA, 2016) |
| Blood pressure, bleeding, blood sugar | "It may increase blood pressure, increase bleeding and increase blood sugar." [2] | Reference database (LactMed, 2024) |
| Breast tenderness | Has been reported. [2] | Reference database |
| General tolerance | "In general, it is well tolerated." [2] One trial in people with stress-related weakness reported all treatments were well tolerated, and a trial in 20 older adults saw no adverse events. [4][5] | Small trials |
Blood pressure: what is known and not known
- Documented in the sources we read: a "may increase" statement and tachycardia (fast heartbeat) reports. [2][1] The sources do not give how often or at what amounts.
- One small trial: 20 older adults (65 or over) with high blood pressure who were on digitalis-type heart treatment got eleuthero or placebo for 8 weeks, and the trial saw no significant difference in blood pressure control or digitalis levels. [5] With only 20 people, it cannot rule out an effect.
- Larger trials of blood pressure: Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for eleuthero and blood pressure or hypertension and found no randomized trial of that question.
If you have high or low blood pressure, a heart rhythm condition or take heart medicines, ask a clinician or pharmacist before using eleuthero.
Bleeding, surgery and blood sugar
LactMed says eleuthero may increase bleeding. [2] In a review of adverse-event reports, eleuthero appeared with bleeding events in people also taking antidepressants: upper gastrointestinal bleeding with duloxetine, nosebleed with paroxetine and vaginal bleeding with sertraline. [6] The authors reviewed 30 reports of side effects judged likely to be causally related to antidepressant and adaptogen combinations. [6] They advise clinicians to monitor such combinations. [6] That is report-based evidence, not a controlled trial. Tell the surgical team about eleuthero before any procedure; see supplements before surgery. For blood sugar, LactMed's "may increase" wording applies, so people using diabetes medicines should ask the prescriber or pharmacist. [2]What the evidence says about benefits
- Label: insufficient evidence / mixed. LactMed states that no good human evidence supports the uses it lists, such as endurance, memory or immunity. [2]
- A trial of 144 people with stress-related weakness found nearly all measures improved over time with no group differences, and concluded that adding an eleuthero root extract to stress management training had negligible effect, if any. [4]
- In 96 people with long-lasting unexplained fatigue, overall efficacy was not demonstrated. [7]
- The EMA's committee also said shortcomings in the design of the studies it reviewed prevented firm conclusions. [1]
What the EMA recognizes
The EMA's herbal committee (HMPC) concluded that, based on long-standing use, eleuthero root can be used for relief of asthenia (loss of strength and energy), such as tiredness and weakness. [1] The conclusion rests on traditional use. [1] The summary says it should only be used in adults and adolescents over 12 and not for more than 2 months. [1] The Community list entry was adopted on 8 May 2008. [1]Who should be especially careful
- Breastfeeding: most sources recommend against it because of a lack of safety data. [2]
- Children: the EMA summary covers only adults and adolescents over 12. [1] Safety in younger children is not described in the sources we read.
- Pregnancy, liver and kidney disease, allergy: not described in the sources we read, which is not the same as safe. See pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Product quality: LactMed notes labeled and actual ingredients or amounts often differ in supplements. [2] See quality testing and certifications.
Frequently asked questions
Does eleuthero raise blood pressure?
LactMed says it may. [2] A very small trial in older adults with high blood pressure found no significant difference from placebo, and a larger trial was not found. [5]
Is eleuthero the same as ginseng?
No. Eleuthero is called Siberian ginseng but is not related to true ginseng and has different constituents. [2]
What are the most common side effects?
The EMA summary lists insomnia, irritability, fast heartbeat and headache, with unknown frequency. [1]
Can I take eleuthero with antidepressants?
Ask a pharmacist or prescriber. A review of adverse-event reports described bleeding events with eleuthero plus duloxetine, paroxetine or sertraline, and advised monitoring. [6]
How long is it safe to use?
Safety over long periods is not established in the sources we read. The EMA summary says not to take the root medicine for more than 2 months and to see a doctor if symptoms continue beyond 2 weeks. [1]
References
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Eleutherococci radix - herbal medicinal product. Summary for the public 2016; Community list entry adopted 2008. Read 2026-10-23.
- Eleuthero. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Updated September 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, species records for Panax ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Ocimum tenuiflorum and Lepidium meyenii. Read 2026-10-23.
- Schaffler K, Wolf OT, Burkart M. No benefit adding Eleutherococcus senticosus to stress management training in stress-related fatigue/weakness, impaired work or concentration, a randomized controlled study. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2013. Read 2026-10-23.
- Cicero AF, et al. Effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim.) on elderly quality of life: a randomized clinical trial. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Supplement. 2004. Read 2026-10-23.
- Siwek M, et al. Retrospective chart review of adverse events of interactions between adaptogens and antidepressant drugs. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- Hartz AJ, et al. Randomized controlled trial of Siberian ginseng for chronic fatigue. Psychological Medicine. 2004. Read 2026-10-23.