Ginseng contains ginsenosides, compounds that target and energize different parts of the body.
Suggested Dose
Take 100 to 250 mg a day, standardized to contain at least 7 percent ginsenosides. Or consume two or three slices of the dried white root daily (chew until soft, then swallow). Avoid long-term use (more than three months) because of rare side effects such as diarrhea. And don't combine it with large amounts of caffeine because of its stimulant effects.
Siberian Eleuthero
Better known as Siberian ginseng, this herb (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is the botanical cousin to Panax ginseng.
How It Works
Eleuthero boosts energy indirectly by stimulating the immune system and working as an adaptogen—it helps to reinforce the body's ability to handle environmental stress and resist disease. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, also known as Ayurvedic ginseng) and Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) are also adaptogens.
