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Ginseng
- ROOT to HEALTH by Lynn Hinderliter CN, LDN
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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