The name 'ginseng' can be applied to several plant products, all of which consist of the roots of members of the Araliaceae family. The use of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) was developed by Russians seeking an alternative to the Korean/Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng).

Siberian Ginseng is the world's best known and most highly researched adaptogen, helping the body to adapt to demanding situations. The key constituents believed to be primarily responsible for the plant's adaptogenic activity are a large group of compounds called eleutherosides. It is these substances that are used as markers in preparing a standardised extract because, unlike Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng does not contain ginsenosides. For this reason it is regarded as a more gentle preparation and, indeed, is often referred to as the female ginseng by herbalists who believe it may be more applicable to women.

Lamberts Siberian Ginseng is a high potency product best taken early in the day as its effect on sleep may be similar to that of caffeine. Human studies involving long-term administration of ginseng have involved ginseng-free periods of 2-3 weeks every 1-2 months.