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I have had a number of requests
for more information on the herb Ginseng: there seems to be quite a
bit of confusion as to what it does, and whether it is really as
valuable as some people say. It is also interesting that Ginseng
causes a form of suppressed amusement in many people, because they
think it has aphrodisiac properties. Perhaps this is because
when you feel better all over, your mind more lightly turns to
thoughts of love!
Ginseng is an
adaptogen: this term is used to describe an herb which
balances the body, and promotes homeostasis: this would mean raising
low blood pressure, normalizing high blood pressure, protecting
against low blood sugar, preventing spikes of high blood sugar.
Research in 2004 suggests that it may even be protective in early
cases of Parkinson's disease,
shielding neurons from damage.
Panax Ginseng was first appreciated
widely in Chinese Traditional Medicine, and it grows wild in China,
Korea and the United States. Nowadays, of course, much of the
Ginseng we purchase is farmed, though some (even more expensive in
the market) is still collected from the wild. No Ginseng is
considered to be really effective below the age of 6 years, and most
of the excellent Ginsengs you find will be labeled as over 6 years
old.
You need to make sure the age of the roots is clearly noted on
the bottle, because at this stage in their development, they have
the highest amount of Ginsenosides present. These are the measure of
medicinal activity in the herb, though all Ginseng also contains
calcium, iron, vitamins A, B12 & E, mucilage, saponins, gineosides
and panaxosides.
Red Ginseng is steamed and dried, and
is more concentrated than white. Korean red Ginseng is perhaps the
most tightly controlled of all Ginsengs, since all roots have to be
sold to a Company from which the Government has first choice. The
best Ginseng is then in turn bought from the Korean Government, and
is guaranteed by them. With white Ginseng, it is more difficult to
be sure of getting the pure product, and a certain informed wariness
is recommended here: the problem is that the Company making the
capsules may not itself even be aware of the substitution of
inferior Ginseng, unless they have the experience needed to tell the
difference.
Ginseng is rated medicinally
according to whether it is stimulating or relaxing.
The most
stimulating is Korean
Red, ( Panax Ginseng) the most relaxing is American (Panax
Quinquefolium).
In the middle is Siberian
Ginseng, (Eleutherococcus
Senticosus) which is actually not a Ginseng at all, though it is
used for many of the same effects. In fact, just recently the
Wisconsin Ginseng Growers persuaded Congress to pass a law which no
longer allows Eleutherococcus to be referred to as Ginseng.
The stimulating Ginsengs are
recommended for such problems as weakness due to injury, lack of
stamina or strength, poor circulation or sluggishness.
The relaxing ones are
recommended when your life is under extreme stress, for athletes,
fast paced executives, Type A personalities and such.
A species of Ginseng called Panax
NotoGinseng, or Tienchi, is classified by Chinese Herbalists as a
cardiovascular tonic which reduces cholesterol and blood pressure, &
soothes stomach & intestinal inflammation. Recent studies at the U
of S. California's School of Pharmacy also show Tienchi to be a
powerful immune system stimulant. A preparation of this herb has
also been shown to stop bleeding.
(Pharmacotherapy 21(7):773-777, 2001.)
Siberian Ginseng, which is neither
exclusively stimulating nor relaxing, has been used to improve lung,
heart and rheumatic disorders. It appears to have a balancing effect
on many other health problems, tending to normalize blood pressure,
balance blood sugar - leading to the positive effect (shared with
American Ginseng) it has on AGEs,
or age related glycosylation end-products.
It is wise before using Ginseng to
check with your Health professional for guidance and advice, since
people with a tendency towards insomnia or high blood pressure may
find the Panax Ginsengs aggravate the problem. Also,
studies have shown that certain species of Ginseng counteract the
effects of Warfarin, or Coumadin, a blood thinner.
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