Blackmores Institute

In response to growing cognitive and stress-related demands, there is increasing interest in interventions that support mental performance and resilience to stress.4 Adaptogenic botanicals are attracting particular attention due to their capacity to modulate physiological stress responses.5 Among these, Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is traditionally valued for enhancing stress tolerance, supporting cognitive endurance, and contributing to immune function.6<h3>What is Siberian ginseng?</h3>A member of the Araliaceae family, Siberian ginseng is a woody shrub native to northeastern Asia.6 Traditionally used for over twenty centuries7 in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicine, it is classified as an adaptogen - a substance that enhances the body's ability to cope with physical exertion, stress, and mental strain.6Common therapeutic uses include: <ul><li>Fatigue and weakness7 </li><li>Immune system support5 </li><li>Poor stress tolerance6 </li><li>Reduced concentration and mental fatigue (see Figure 1)7 Emerging evidence from animal studies also suggests potential hypoglycaemic effects, with Siberian ginseng shown to improve insulin sensitivity and protect pancreatic β-cells.6 Additionally, neuroprotective effects have been observed, indicating the potential to support memory and cognitive function, particularly in models of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.6 </li></ul> <img src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt948bd74310fc0ad0/blt46b191dc3b132f4d/6a14f893d7617b773d580cc3/Untitled_design.png" alt="Untitled design.png" class="embedded-asset" />Figure 1. Role of Siberian ginseng in phytomedicine.7 <h3>Mechanisms supporting mental focus</h3> The pleiotropic activity of Siberian ginseng is attributed to its diverse range of bioactive compounds, particularly eleutherosides, along with polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins and phytosterols.8 These constituents act synergistically to support the body’s adaptive response to stress.8 Siberian ginseng’s effects on cognition and fatigue appear to involve modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis,9 with eleutherosides influencing stress signalling pathways and helping to maintain neuroendocrine balance during cognitive or physical challenges.8 In parallel, polyphenols and flavonoids contribute antioxidant activity, reducing oxidative stress and supporting neuronal integrity.8 Together, these actions may help enhance stress resilience and maintain cognitive performance during periods of sustained mental demand. <h3> </h3><h3>Complementary nutrients for mental focus</h3> Siberian ginseng may be combined with other nutrients to support cognitive performance and stress resilience. Common complementary ingredients include: <ul><li>B-group vitamins: Support energy metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis.10 </li><li>L-theanine: Promotes calm alertness11 and supports attention.12 </li><li>Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly DHA): Support membrane integrity and neuronal activity,13 and enhance blood flow to the brain.14</li></ul>Addressing foundational factors such as sleep quality,15 nutrition,16 hydration,17 and blood glucose regulation18 remains essential when supporting cognition and mental focus. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Mental fatigue and difficulty maintaining focus are increasingly common in modern lifestyles characterised by chronic stress and sustained cognitive demands. While further large-scale trials are needed to define optimal dosing and clinical applications, current evidence suggests Siberian ginseng may be a useful complementary option to support stress resilience, energy metabolism, and cognitive endurance. <h3>References</h3><ol><li>Shanmugasundaram M, Tamilarasu A. The Impact of Digital technology, Social media, and Artificial Intelligence on Cognitive functions: a Review. Frontiers in Cognition. 2023 Nov 24;2(2). Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cognition/articles/10.3389/fcogn.2023.1203077/full </li><li>Li G, Huang S, Xu W, Jiao W, Jiang Y, Gao Z, et al. The impact of mental fatigue on brain activity: a comparative study both in resting state and task state using EEG. BMC Neuroscience. 2020 May 12;21(1). Available from: https://bmcneurosci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12868-020-00569-1 </li><li>Gavelin HM, Neely AS, Aronsson I, Josefsson M, Andersson L. Mental fatigue, cognitive performance and autonomic response following sustained mental activity in clinical burnout. Biological Psychology. 2023 Oct 1;183:108661. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301051123001795?via%3Dihub </li><li>Fares Al-Shargie, Sahar Mohammed Taresh, Abdulhakim Al-Ezzi. Mental Stress and Cognitive Deficits Management. Brain sciences [Internet]. 2024 Mar 27;14(4):316–6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11047847/ </li><li>Malekijahan F, Razavi SH, Nouri M, Shafiepour M, Afraei M. Unlocking nature’s potential: The power of adaptogens in enhancing modern health and wellness. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. 2025 Nov 1;24:102501. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325008725#sec3 </li><li>Kos G, Katarzyna Czarnek, Sadok I, Agnieszka Krzyszczak-Turczyn, Kubica P, Fila K, et al. Eleutherococcus senticosus (Acanthopanax senticosus): An Important Adaptogenic Plant. Molecules. 2025 Jun 8 [cited 2025 Jul 18];30(12):2512–2. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2512 </li><li>Patyra A, Kołtun-Jasion M, Kupniewska K, et al. Eleutherococcus root: a comprehensive review of its phytochemistry and pharmacological potential in the context of its adaptogenic effect. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2025 Oct 29 [cited 2025 Nov 23];16:1683795–5. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41235111 </li><li>Kępińska-Pacelik J, Biel W. Herbal Support for the Nervous System: The Impact of Adaptogens in Humans and Dogs. Applied Sciences. 2025 May 12;15(10):5402. DOI:10.3390/app15105402 </li><li>Todorova V, Ivanov K, Delattre C, Nalbantova V, Karcheva-Bahchevanska D, Ivanova S. Plant Adaptogens—History and Future Perspectives. Nutrients. 2021 Aug 20;13(8):2861. DOI: 10.3390/nu13082861 </li><li>Han A, Almeida L, Anand N, Salloum IM, Kanaan S, Gadad BS, et al. Exploring neuropsychiatric manifestations of vitamin B complex deficiencies. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2025 Aug 19;16. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12401900 </li><li>Dashwood R, Visioli F. l-theanine: From tea leaf to trending supplement – does the science match the hype for brain health and relaxation? Nutrition Research. 2025 Jan 2;134:39–48. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0271531724001684 </li><li>Baba Y, Inagaki S, Nakagawa S, Kaneko T, Kobayashi M, Takihara T. Effects of l-Theanine on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2021 Apr 1;24(4):333–41. DOI:10.1089/jmf.2020.4803 </li><li>Shahinfar H, Yazdian Z, Avini NA, Torabinasab K, Shab-Bidar S. A systematic review and dose response meta analysis of Omega 3 supplementation on cognitive function. Scientific Reports. 2025 Aug 20;15(1). DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-16129-8 </li><li>Dighriri IM, Alsubaie AM, Hakami FM, Hamithi DM, Alshekh MM, Khobrani FA, et al. Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Brain Functions: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2022 Oct 9;14(10). DOI:10.7759/cureus.30091 </li><li>Wüst LN, Capdevila NC, Lane LT, Reichert CF, Ruta Lasauskaite. Impact of one night of sleep restriction on sleepiness and cognitive function: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2024 Apr 1;101940–0. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079224000443?via%3Dihub </li><li>Arshad MT, Maqsood S, Altalhi R, Shamlan G, Mohamed Ahmed IA, Ikram A, et al. Role of Dietary Carbohydrates in Cognitive Function: A Review. Food Science &amp; Nutrition. 2025 Jul;13(7). DOI:10.1002/fsn3.70516 </li><li>Zhang N, Du SM, Zhang JF, Ma GS. Effects of Dehydration and Rehydration on Cognitive Performance and Mood among Male College Students in Cangzhou, China: A Self-Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019;16(11):1891. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6603652/ </li><li>Gulin Yatagan Sevim, Alkan E, Taporoski TP, Krieger JE, Pereira AC, Evans SL. Effects of glycaemic control on memory performance, hippocampal volumes and depressive symptomology. Diabetology &amp; Metabolic Syndrome. 2024 Sep 11;16(1). DOI:10.1186/s13098-024-01429-2 </li></ol>

<h3>Key highlights</h3><ul><li>Mental fatigue and reduced focus are increasingly driven by chronic stress and sustained cognitive demands</li><li>Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcussenticosus) is an adaptogenic botanical traditionally used to support stress tolerance and cognitive endurance </li><li>Mechanistically, it modulates the HPA axis and exerts antioxidant effects that support neuronal function under stress </li><li>Clinical evidence suggests benefits for fatigue, stress resilience, and aspects of cognitive performance </li></ul>

Key highlights

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