This deciduous woody shrub has mostly unbranched stems that grow approximately 10 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters).^2,4,6 The young stems are covered with flexible prickles, while the older stems are mostly smooth.² The leaves are palmately compound with five leaflets that are elliptical with a serrated margin that are often attached to the stem by reddish petioles.² Flowers are small, multiple, and umbelliferous; attached by long peduncles at the end of stems.² Fruit is a drupe with multiple kernels.² The root is a cylindrical dark brown taproot that is sometimes branched with a smooth exterior and a thin bark about 0.5 cm in diameter.² The rhizome is pale brown, up to 4 cm thick, wrinkled lengthwise, and shows the root scars with aerial stem traces and a pale yellow interior.²

Eleuthero is indigenous to Asia, specifically southeast Asia, northern China, Korea, Japan, eastern Siberia, and southeastern Russia.^2,4 It has been said that an herb with similar effects to Ginseng, but a more inexpensive alternative was sought after for Russian athletes.⁷ Eleuthero became this substitute herb and it has been researched extensively in Russia since the 1950s.⁶

Historically this herb was grouped with others designated with five leaves, all named Wu Jia.⁵ Eleuthero was differentiated as Ci Wu Jia by author Li Shizhen in the 1593 materia medica, Ben Cao Gang Mu.⁵

This plant can be problematic to germinate, however it can grow from seed once germinated and is harvested in the fall.⁶

Eleuthero is a tonic adaptogen* that is appropriate for all ages and genders that can be taken for longer periods of time.⁵