Eleuthero
Eleutherococcus senticosus
“Traditionally, it has been considered good for vital energy (qi/ch’i), used for sleeplessness with many dreams, lower back or kidney pain, deficiency of yang in the kidney and spleen, lack of appetite, and to enhance overall resistance to disease or adverse physical influences or stress. For treating rheumatoid arthritis and making muscles and bones strong, one prescription mixes wu-jia-pi with sweet rice wine... Studies have shown that various preparations of the plant build nonspecific immunity, improve weak nerves, increase strength and appetite, reduce incidence of heart disease, dilate blood vessels, increase cerebral blood flow, are antirheumatic, may reduce blood sugar, and may have a static effect on certain types of cancers.”
- Herbal Emissaries