Had Your Ginseng Today?

August 30, 2008 – 5:04 pm

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Ginseng Energy Booster

Ginseng — Of all the ancient remedies, ginseng is perhaps the most widely used. It has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years as a herb to treat and prevent a wide variety of human ailments. In early Chinese medicine texts, ginseng is classified as a “superior” herb due to its ability to promote longevity and vitality. It is considered as adaptogen for its ability to help the human body increase its resistance to chemical, physical and biological stress while helping to improve general vitality (both physical and mental).

Ginseng Herb

The three major varieties of ginseng are Asian ginseng (panax ginseng), American ginseng (panax guinguefolius), and Siberian ginseng (eleutherococcus senticosus). Of these, the Asian ginseng or Panax ginseng is native to China and Korea and is one of the most widely used herbs in the world.

Ginseng has the unique ability to be bi-directional. It can either simulate or relax depending on what the body needs. It helps bring the body into balance.

The major component of Panax ginseng is ginsenosides which seem to have several positive health benefits. Several clinical research studies concluded that Panax ginseng appears to provide positive improvement for the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and endocrine system, immune system, and helps reduce stress and slow down aging. Other studies showed 1) improvement in performance of athletes, 2) enhancement of mental performance, learning time, and memory, 3) lowering of fatigue and stress in chronic cases, 4) normalizing of blood conditions, and 5) improvement of sexual function.

One final thought on Chinese herbs; they work slowly to help the body achieve balance and address the issue(s) most critical to it. So, be consistent when taking them and have patience as you observe the changes to your health.

Ginseng has a long history of helping improve a myriad of health conditions from enhancing appetite to reducing stress. It is certainly worthy of your consideration as you seek solutions to improve the quality and longevity of your life.

Scientific Studies
In a double-blind study of 625 people, with an average age under 40, the effects of Panax ginseng on general well-being was tested. The subjects taking ginseng reported significant improvement in quality of life measurements compared to the placebo group. Similar results were reported in a double-blind study of 36 people. At the end of eight weeks, subjects consuming 200 mg of ginseng every day reported significant improvement in well-being, mood, vigor, and psychophysical performance.
The results of a double-blind study of 227 people suggest that Panax ginseng can help minimize the frequency of cold and flu symptoms. Half the subjects were given 100 mg of ginseng daily and the other half a placebo. After four weeks, all subjects received an influenza vaccine. The ginseng group show a significant decline (15 versus 42 cases) in the incidents of colds and flu compared to the placebo group. The ginseng group had higher antibody measurements in response to the vaccination than other group.

References:
Caso Marasco A, Vargas Ruiz R, Salas Villagomez A, et al. “Double-blind study of a multivitamin complex supplemented with ginseng extract.” Drugs under Experimental and Clinical Research. (22:323-329); 1996.

Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M, et al. “Efficacy and safety of the standardised ginseng extract G115 for potentiating vaccination against the influenza syndrome and protection against the common cold.” Drugs under Experimental and Clinical Research (22:65–72); 1996.

Sotaniemi EA, Haapakoski E, Rautio A. “Ginseng therapy in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.” Diabetes Care (18:1373-1375); 1995.

Resources:
Fulder, Stephen. “The Book of Ginseng: And Other Chinese Herbs for Vitality.” Healing Arts Press: Vermont; 1993.