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Panax Ginseng and Eleuthero in Olivaro: Two "Ginsengs," Two Different Plants
Olivaro lists two plants with ginseng in the name. Eleuthero root extract is 5th in the 200 mg blend; Panax ginseng aerial extract is 12th. A meta-analysis of 16 trials found ginseng lowered fasting glucose by about 5.6 mg/dL, with no change in A1C (Shishtar et al., PLoS One 2014). Those trials mostly used root, while Olivaro uses leaf and stem.
Written by the Olivaro research deskUpdated
Two label lines
Which ginsengs are in Olivaro?
Two. Eleutherococcus senticosus root extract is 5th in the blend. Panax ginseng aerial extract is 12th.
Both share the word "ginseng" in common speech, but they come from different plant groups. Panax ginseng, also called Asian ginseng, is the plant most trials mean by "ginseng." Eleuthero is often sold as Siberian ginseng, yet it belongs to a different genus.
| Item | Eleuthero | Panax ginseng |
|---|---|---|
| Label name | Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract | Panax Ginseng Aerial Extract |
| Common name | Siberian ginseng | Asian or Korean ginseng |
| Part used | Root | Aerial parts (leaf and stem) |
| Blend position | 5 of 22 | 12 of 22 |
| Label-order ceiling | 40 mg per mL, 80 mg per day | about 16.7 mg per mL, about 33 mg per day |
| Human blood sugar data | None; animal studies only (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)) | Modest fasting glucose drop, mostly with root (Shishtar et al., PLoS One 2014) |
Ceilings come from label order: the 5th ingredient can be at most 200 divided by 5 mg, and the 12th at most 200 divided by 12 mg (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR)). Real amounts are not published.
Profiles
What does the label say, and what did research use?
Research used much larger amounts of both plants. Ginseng trials ran from about 100 mg to 20 g a day; one eleuthero trial used 800 mg a day (Shishtar et al., PLoS One 2014) (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance).
| Label name | Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Siberian ginseng root |
| Position on the label | 5 of 22 in the blend (listed from most to least by weight) |
| Amount per dropper | Not disclosed. Part of the 200 mg proprietary blend. |
| Amount used in research | 800 mg a day in one trial |
| Strength of evidence | No effect in rigorous studies |
| Marketed or traditional use | Traditional tonic |
| Main caution | Can raise digoxin levels. |
| Label name | Panax Ginseng Aerial Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Asian ginseng, leaf and stem |
| Position on the label | 12 of 22 in the blend (listed from most to least by weight) |
| Amount per dropper | Not disclosed. Part of the 200 mg proprietary blend. |
| Amount used in research | About 100 mg to 20 g (mostly root) |
| Strength of evidence | Modest drop in fasting glucose; no A1C effect |
| Marketed or traditional use | Studied for glucose control |
| Main caution | May lower blood sugar; may affect blood thinners; insomnia. |
Leaf vs root
Why does "aerial extract" matter for Panax ginseng?
Because the trials mostly tested the root. "Aerial" means the parts above ground: leaves and stems. The ginseng meta-analysis pooled studies that mainly used root preparations (Shishtar et al., PLoS One 2014).
Leaf and root share some compound families, but their mix and strength can differ. We found no verified human evidence on blood sugar for aerial-part extracts alone. So the root results cannot simply be moved over to Olivaro's leaf-and-stem extract.
- Root: the classic form, used in most clinical trials.
- Aerial parts: leaves and stems, often cheaper to harvest.
- Olivaro: aerial parts, amount not published, 12th of 22.
Our article on ginseng root vs leaf extracts goes deeper into the difference.
The best data
What did the ginseng meta-analysis find?
A modest drop in fasting glucose and no change in A1C. Across 16 randomized trials with 770 people, ginseng lowered fasting blood glucose by 0.31 mmol/L, about 5.6 mg/dL (Shishtar et al., PLoS One 2014).
| Trials pooled | 16 randomized trials, 770 participants |
|---|---|
| Daily doses tested | About 100 mg to 20 g |
| Fasting glucose | Down 0.31 mmol/L (about 5.6 mg/dL), high variation between trials |
| Fasting insulin | No significant overall effect |
| A1C | No significant overall effect |
NCCIH calls the diabetes research on Asian ginseng inconclusive and conflicting. It also notes a 2022 review of 20 studies that found better fasting glucose and other heart and metabolic markers (NCCIH, Asian Ginseng). To put 5.6 mg/dL in context, here are the standard ranges:
- NormalA1CBelow 5.7%Fasting glucose99 mg/dL or below
- PrediabetesA1C5.7% to 6.4%Fasting glucose100 to 125 mg/dL
- DiabetesA1C6.5% or higherFasting glucose126 mg/dL or higher
Ranges from NIDDK (NIDDK, Diabetes & Prediabetes Tests). Only a lab test and a clinician can diagnose. Low blood sugar is generally below 70 mg/dL (NIDDK, Low Blood Glucose).
A drop of that size moves a reading only a few points within a range. A1C, which reflects about three months, did not change.
Siberian ginseng
Is eleuthero real ginseng?
No. Eleuthero is sold as Siberian ginseng, but it is not in the Panax group that true ginseng belongs to. It is a thorny shrub whose root has its own compounds.
Human research on eleuthero is limited. Its blood sugar findings come only from animal studies (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)). In sports studies, eleuthero showed little or no performance benefit, and short-term use appeared safe (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance).
Eleuthero is 5th in the blend, so it may be one of the larger shares. Even at its 80 mg daily ceiling, it sits at a tenth of the 800 mg trial dose.
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Which medicines interact with ginseng and eleuthero?
Diabetes medicines, blood thinners and digoxin are the main ones. Ginseng might lower blood sugar and may affect clotting; eleuthero can raise digoxin levels (NCCIH, Asian Ginseng) (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
Insulin and sulfonylureas
Ginseng may add to their glucose-lowering effect. Lows are generally below 70 mg/dL (NIDDK, Low Blood Glucose).
Blood thinners
Asian ginseng may interfere with clotting and with some medicines (NCCIH, Asian Ginseng).
Digoxin
A case report found eleuthero raised digoxin levels. It may also give falsely high digoxin test results (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
Talk to your doctor before you change any diabetes medicine. If you take digoxin, tell whoever checks your levels that you use a supplement with eleuthero. Our Olivaro safety page lists interactions for the whole blend.
Side effects
What side effects can ginseng cause?
Trouble sleeping is the most common one. Asian ginseng may also be unsafe in pregnancy (NCCIH, Asian Ginseng).
In Olivaro's favor
- Both plants are named on the label.
- Amounts are capped low by blend order.
- Short-term eleuthero use looked safe in studies.
Open questions
- Leaf-and-stem ginseng lacks its own blood sugar trials.
- No eleuthero blood sugar data in people.
- Neither amount is printed, so no one can match a study dose.
The Olivaro caution covers pregnancy and nursing: those groups should consult a physician first. The label also lists guarana and green tea, which add caffeine, so sleep effects could stack.
Bottom line
Our read on the two ginsengs
Panax ginseng: about 5.6 mg/dL lower fasting glucose in root trials, no A1C change, and Olivaro uses the aerial part. Eleuthero: no human blood sugar data and a digoxin flag. Both amounts are undisclosed and capped by label order.
Next ingredient
What are the weight-claim herbs?
Four blend ingredients are mostly sold for weight: African mango, coleus, capsicum and raspberry ketones. They come next.
FAQ
Ginseng and eleuthero in Olivaro: common questions
Does ginseng lower blood sugar?
It may, modestly. A meta-analysis of 16 trials found ginseng lowered fasting glucose by about 5.6 mg/dL, with no significant change in A1C or fasting insulin. NCCIH calls the overall diabetes evidence inconclusive and conflicting. Most of those trials used ginseng root.
What kind of ginseng is in Olivaro?
Olivaro lists Panax Ginseng Aerial Extract, which means leaves and stems rather than root. It is 12th of 22 ingredients in the 200 mg blend, so it can be at most about 16.7 mg per dropper. The exact amount is not printed.
Is Siberian ginseng the same as Panax ginseng?
No. Siberian ginseng, or eleuthero, comes from Eleutherococcus senticosus, a different plant from true Panax ginseng. It shares a nickname, not a genus. Its research base is smaller, and its blood sugar findings come only from animal studies.
Can I take ginseng with diabetes medicine?
Check with your doctor first. Ginseng might lower blood sugar, so with insulin or a sulfonylurea it could raise the risk of a low. Your doctor may ask you to check your readings more often when you start any supplement with ginseng.
Does eleuthero interact with digoxin?
It can. A case report found eleuthero raised digoxin levels in the blood, and it may also make digoxin tests read falsely high. If you take digoxin, ask your doctor before using Olivaro and mention it at every level check.
Is ginseng leaf as good as ginseng root?
No one has shown that. Most blood sugar trials used root preparations, and we found no verified human blood sugar studies on leaf-and-stem extracts alone. Leaf and root differ in their mix of compounds, so root results do not transfer automatically.
Can ginseng keep you awake?
Yes, insomnia is the most commonly reported side effect of Asian ginseng. Olivaro also contains guarana and green tea, which supply some caffeine. If your sleep changes after you start the drops, note it in a log and raise it with your doctor.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
We start from the bottle label, then check every claim against government and peer-reviewed sources linked on the page.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by an authorized U.S. retailer, not by the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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