In today’s fast-paced world, it’s never been more important to look after ourselves mentally. So many things demand our energy, focus, and problem-solving skills. When our minds and bodies are drained, we don’t just feel tired, we leave ourselves vulnerable to more stress, burnout, and even sickness.

Which begs the question: is there a natural way to boost energy and maintain mental clarity? Well, the answer might have been around for over 2000 years already.

What is eleuthero root?

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is an Asian herb from the ginseng family. Not to be confused with its Asian and American cousins, it still offers many of the same benefits. In fact, you may have heard of it by its other common name – Siberian ginseng.

Discovered over 2000 years ago, it grows in the same Asian regions as true ginseng. Since then, eleuthero has been used for traditional healing and folk medicine in China and surrounding areas. While true ginseng is more potent, eleuthero continues to offer a gentle and affordable option for natural remedies.

But what makes eleuthero root such a prized supplement?

Benefits of eleuthero root

While we’ve known about it for millennia, research in the last 50 years continues to shed light on the restorative properties of eleuthero root. Specifically, eleuthero is an adaptogen – a botanical known for its ability to combat physical signs of stress. 

It’s versatile enough to have as a tea, tincture, or capsule, making it more accessible than rarer botanicals too. The physical effects eleuthero has on the body also improve mental health by supporting the natural functions we rely on to stay sharp. Let’s break down the most notable ones.

• Energy management

Like most ginseng varieties, eleuthero root has stimulating compounds that can boost energy levels. Research suggests that its properties help combat physical and mental fatigue.

When it comes to having mental clarity, maintaining energy levels throughout the body is crucial. Exhaustion creates other side effects that reduce our ability to concentrate and work through tasks. Fatigue lowers our capacity for memory while raising stress levels – everything we need to avoid to remain functional. 

• Improved focus and cognitive function

By stimulating blood flow, eleuthero increases circulation to the brain. This boost supplies our brains with oxygen-rich blood to fuel key cognitive functions. The caffeine in your morning coffee does the same thing, as does sugar. Eleuthero is gentler than both, meaning you get the benefits more gradually without the energy crash after.

Circulation is literally at the heart of all physical and mental performance. Every organ relies on this system to deliver enough oxygen, and the brain is one of the most energy-intensive ones, which is why we feel the effects so strongly.

• Better exercise

Regular exercise does so much more than grow muscle and improve cardiovascular health. It's also a mood booster that helps alleviate stress. The benefits keep going long after you leave the gym too. The hormone–balancing effects promote better sleep and stronger immune systems.

Where eleuthero shines is during the workout, though. Its stimulating properties can offer a short-term increase in muscular endurance, letting you work out for longer or with more intensity.

• Physical recovery 

While it’s a great workout supplement, can eleuthero root do anything for you after the session? When the same study investigated its anti-fatigue properties, researchers noted that it may reduce lactic acid buildup.

Lactic acid builds up in low-oxygen muscle tissue. Our cells need oxygen to break down blood sugars for energy. Instead of metabolizing these sugars, the body turns them into lactic acid. 

Before exercise can build muscle, it needs to break it down, severely depleting oxygen levels. The buildup is what makes us sore and stiff days even days after an intense session, so muscle recovery is key.

• Immune booster 

Anyone who’s ever had a fever knows that it doesn’t just clog the nose. Our minds can feel just as stuffy, But fever symptoms aren’t the illness itself, they’re the body’s response to it. A 2017 review on the link between immune and emotional responses shows us how they feed into each other.

According to researchers, the body’s sickness response triggers mental reactions too, namely: 

• Lethargy
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Loss of appetite
• Sleepiness

That’s why being sick in bed makes it harder to think clearly. Eleuthero shows promising signs as an immune booster, which can help us fight infections before they get a chance to take hold. 

• Stabilizing blood sugar levels

While people with hypertension generally need to avoid stimulants that increase heart rate, there are benefits for those with low blood pressure. Eleuthero can help raise blood pressure gradually by increasing circulation.

This is one property where consultation can really be worthwhile. What may be a side effect to some can be beneficial to others. Stabilizing blood sugar levels in either direction greatly minimizes bouts of dizziness, fatigue, and disorientation.

• Anxiety relief

Eleuthero’s ability to regulate stress can make it a useful agent against anxiety. While this is one of its weaker and less-studied properties, its overall effect on blood flow, immune strength, and mood regulation is crucial to anxiety relief.

Mental illness can have a debilitating impact on our lives. Having more energy and clarity gives us a greater capacity to manage daily stressors before they become overwhelming. 

The beauty of eleuthero root is that it's a stimulant without the post-energy crash of caffeine. It raises energy while promoting a more relaxed, balanced state. This means better quality sleep, which helps the brain organize memory and sort through emotions too.

Eleuthero root and overall health

Nutrition plays the biggest role in our physical and mental well-being, but it isn’t limited to diet plans and meal prep. Our bodies need a diverse intake of vitamins, minerals, and compounds to stay in optimal condition.

Nature’s Sustenance fuels the body with over 20 fruits, vegetables, and greens – including eleuthero root extract. This supplement is packed with everything you need for energy, mental clarity, and overall wellness.