Ginseng

  • A Natural Remedy for Fatigue

    Traditional Chinese medicine has valued the health benefits of ginseng roots for over 2,000 years.MayoClinic.com: Ginseng Panax ginseng, which is also known as [[Asia|Asian] ginseng, is one of the most understood and utilized species of ginseng. This slow growing perennial has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an herbal remedy to combat fatigue and weakness. It takes about 5 years for a plant to produce roots that are ready for harvest. Ginseng is classified as an adaptogen, which means it increases the body's resistance to stress. American Family Physician: Panax ginseng (October 15. 2003) It is also used as an aphrodisiac and for erectile dysfunction. P. Sandroni. 2006. Aphrodisiacs Past and Present: A Historical View. Clin. Autonomic Res. 11:303-307 Wild American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, was was discovered in American in 1716. Asian ginseng is noted to elicit more of a yang, or warming, effect, while American ginseng has a cooling, or yin effect.

    Siberian ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus is different from Panx ginseng pharmacologically and it is from another botanical family. http://www.naturalstandard.com/index-abstract.asp?create-abstract=/monographs/herbssupplements/ginseng.asp It does not have the active principles, known as ginsenosides, that are found in Panax. http://www.ginsengfaq.com/GinsengTips/25.php These plants do contain eleutherosides which may function like steroid hormones. There appears to be immune-boosting capacity in those who take this herb. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3x_Siberian_Ginseng.asp

    You will find on this page general information about the ginseng herb, specific information about ginseng dosage levels, scientific research results, precautions for usage, videos, how to grow your own ginseng root. http://ohioline.osu.edu/for-fact/0058.html <ref>http://ohioline.osu.edu/for-fact/0057.html http://www.ncgoldenseal.com/media/sustainable.html and links that will help you research various aspects of this adaptogenic herb.

  • Scientific Classification

    • Kingdom: Plantae
    • Division: Magnoliophyta
    • Class: Magnoliopsida
    • Order: Apiales
    • Family: Araliaceae
    • Subfamily: Aralioideae
    • Tribe: Galegeae
    • Genus: Panax

  • How to Take Ginseng

    You can find various ways to buy the ginseng, as capsules, bulk powders, chopped roots, bagged for teas and tinctures. You can make your own tinctures by following the instructions on How to Make Herbal Tinctures. Dosing recommendations for taking ginseng are listed in the Fast Facts section. Here are some suggestions from various sources for specific conditions:

    1. Hot flashes/flushes - daily, ginseng tea with 2 teaspoons of royal jelly http://www.google.co.cr/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=6&ved=0CBcQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthsystem.virginia.edu%2Finternet%2Fwomen%2Falternativehandout.pdf&ei=qxY4S8aWCcHPlAfQi8SbBA&usg=AFQjCNHQN9T_QhQOiCWnHHisf8ZHpWth8Q&sig2=JqCLOyhAWNF-jVDJ7f4i1A
    2. Pulmonary edema - 200-600 mg per day http://pennstatehershey.psu.edu/healthinfo/heartandvascular/33/000137.htm
    3. Fatigue - chewing of the root, as per dosage recommendations in Fast Facts. http://www.google.co.cr/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=6&ved=0CCIQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksuweb.kennesaw.edu%2F~pdunn%2Fportfolio%2Fp_program_study%2F6190_projects_contracts_folder%2F6190_project_test.swf&ei=OBs4S8DAKMmzlAfcgo2mBw&usg=AFQjCNH_dASgFonnpQVLmJTtAscP133VTw&sig2=0w2nutS2NiqW3-DqFmOCOw
  • Health Benefits of Ginseng (Siberian) with Good Scientific Evidence

    1. Boosting the immune system http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ginseng/NS_patient-ginseng/DSECTION=evidence MayoClinic
    2. Herpes Simplex Type 2 - can reduce the severity, intensity and duration of outbreaks. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/siberian-ginseng-000250.htm
    3. Type 2 diabetes http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ginseng/NS_patient-ginseng/DSECTION=evidence MayoClinic
    4. Improved quality of life in the elderly http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/siberian-ginseng-000250.htm
    5. Improvement of memory and concentration. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/siberian-ginseng-000250.htm
    6. Heart disease and Hypertension- As an antioxidant, ginseng enhances nitric oxide synthesis in the endothelium of the organs and blood vessels in the body, helping prevent hypertension, atherosclerosis and other types of heart disease. P. Sandroni. 2006. Aphrodisiacs Past and Present: A Historical View. Clin. Autonomic Res. 11:303-307
    7. Aphrodisiac - Ginsenosides enhance smooth muscle relaxation that is needed for erectile function, affecting nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway. Animal studies support a role of this herb for increasing reproductive capacity. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/siberian-ginseng-000250.htm http://www.springerlink.com/content/c250hw4hvg4j7737/#ContactOfAuthor
  • Other Uses of Ginseng Under Investigation

    Aplastic anemia

    • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
    • Birth outcomes (anoxemic encephalopathy)
    • Bronchodilator
    • Cancer chemotherapy
    • Cancer prevention
    • Cardiovascular risk reduction
    • Chronic hepatitis B
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    • Congestive heart failure
    • Coronary artery disease
    • Dementia
    • Diabetic complications (kidney damage)
    • Erectile dysfunction
    • Exercise performance
    • Fatigue
    • Fistula (anal)
    • Heart damage (cardiac bypass complications)
    • High blood pressure
    • High cholesterol
    • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (refractory)
    • Intracranial pressure (ICP)
    • Kidney dysfunction (hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome)
    • Liver protection
    • Lung conditions
    • Male infertility
    • Menopausal symptoms
    • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
    • Neurological disorders
    • Pregnancy problems (intrauterine growth retardation)
    • Premature ejaculation
    • Radiation therapy side effects
    • Respiratory infections
    • Sexual arousal (in women)
    • Viral myocarditis

    • Reference: MayoClinic
  • Precautions and Possible Side Effects

    • Side effects are rare when ginseng is used at recommended doses, however the following precautions should be followed according the the Mayo Clinic:
    1. It is wise not to use ginseng for heat, excess syndromes or with symptoms of toxic heat (terms used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to describe disorders. http://gancao.net/herbology/nature-of-ginseng-453
    2. In case of diabetes or hypoglycemia, use caution as it may lower blood sugar levels.
    3. It may lower or increase blood pressure.
    4. There is some evidence that it may reduce the effects of the blood-thinning agent warfarin.
    5. Do not use with hormone sensitive conditions, including breast cancer, uterine cancer, or endometriosis.
    6. During pregnancy, avoid using tinctures with a high level of alcohol.
  • Disclaimer

    The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a doctor for information on ginseng.

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