Eleuthero Root

Botanical Name: Eleutherococcus senticosus

Common Names: Devil’s shrub

Eleutherococcus senticosus is the plant commonly referred to as Eleuthero and Siberian Ginseng. It is a member of the Araliaceae or ginseng family.

Botanically, Eleuthero is a slender, thorny shrub that grows to heights ranging from 3 to 15 feet tall. It has grey-brown colored branches with downward pointing spikes. The plant’s leaves are colored bright green and divided into 3 – 5 leaflets. The flowers can vary in color from a light violet to a rich yellow.

The root of eleuthero is the part of the plant commonly used for medicinal application, as it is long, woody, and pliable. Preparation methods vary, and many are considered quite bitter in taste.