Ginseng
Asian ginseng root Ginseng
Extract
The root of the ginseng plant has been used in China, Japan, and Korea for many
centuries in the therapy of psychiatric and neurological disorders, and for enhancing
vitality.
There are several varieties of ginseng sold over the counter: Asian ginseng (Panax
ginseng), American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus
Chinensis) are the most common. Technically Siberian ginseng does not belong in the
same genus as Asian or American ginseng and does not contain the same ingredients. As a
rule, Asian ginseng is more stimulating and raises body temperature while American
ginseng is less heating and stimulating. Siberian ginseng is neutral. Hundreds of ginseng
products ginseng extract formulas are available over the counter with different dosages and combinations.
Constituents of Ginseng extract
The roots of Chinese and American ginseng contain several saponins named
ginsenosides that are believed to contribute to the adaptogenic properties. They are used
in traditional Chinese medicine to improve stamina and combat fatigue and stress.
Saponins
are interesting natural compounds found in many plants, herbs, roots, and beans. Saponins
have potential in the prevention and treatment of diseases of the heart and circulatory
system (Purmova 1995). For instance, they inhibit the formation of lipid peroxides (fat
oxidation) in cardiac muscle or in the liver, they influence the function of enzymes
contained in them, they decrease blood coagulation, cholesterol, and sugar levels in
blood, and they stimulate the immune system. Some saponins may even have anti-tumor
properties (Wakabayashi 1998). For more ginseng
extract
information.
Panax Ginseng extract, 400 mg
Club Natural
Panax
Ginseng Extract Facts:
Panax Ginseng Root - 400 mg *
Suggested Use: One ginseng capsule in the morning a few times a week or as
recommended by your health care professional.
What Ginseng does
The biochemical mechanisms of ginseng remain unclear, although there is
extensive literature that deals with its effects on the brain (memory, learning, and
behavior), neuroendocrine function, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, immune function,
and the cardiovascular system. Reports are often contradictory, perhaps because the
ginsenoside content of ginseng root or root extracts can differ, depending on the species,
method of extraction, subsequent treatment, or even the season of collection.
Ginseng does have the potential to help with blood sugar levels.
Click Panax ginseng for more information.
Ginseng Extract Laboratory and Human Studies
Lets examine some of the studies done with ginseng.
Ginseng
extract and Cognitive
functioning
Various tests of mental performance were carried out in a group
of sixteen healthy male volunteers given a standardized preparation of Asian
ginseng (100
mg twice a day for twelve weeks of a product called G 115). A similar group was given
identical placebo capsules under double-blind conditions. A favorable effect of ginseng
was observed in attention, mental arithmetic, logical deduction, and auditory reaction
time. Researchers at the Cognitive Drug Research
Ltd., Beech Hill, Reading, in the United Kingdom evaluated the effects of a Ginkgo biloba / ginseng combination on cognitive function. The study lasted ninety days and was
performed in a double blind, placebo-controlled manner with sixty-four healthy volunteers
(aged 40 to 65 years) who had mild fatigue and low mood. The treatment was well tolerated
by all volunteers. There were improvements noted in memory and overall cognitive
functioning. Ginseng root saponin at a dose of 50 mg three
times a day was given for two months to 358 middle and old age individuals. The results
showed that the herb improved memory and immunity.
Ginseng, Antioxidants, and
Lipids
The administration of several grams of
ginseng
daily increases the ability of the body to maintain its antioxidant status.
Furthermore, lipid levels such as LDL cholesterol are lowered (Kim, 2003).
Ginseng as an Adaptogen?
Adaptogen is a term coined to loosely define certain herbs that help improve
energy, vitality, mood, wellbeing, etc. Users of this term imply that these adaptogens are
healthy to take and may prolong life, although there usually is little research to back up
these claims. I prefer not to use the term adaptogen since it does not have a reliable
scientific definition. Most who take ginseng notice an improvement in energy, vitality, sexual
enjoyment, and mental clarity.
Availability of Ginseng and Ginseng extract
Countless varieties and dosages of ginseng and ginseng extract are available,
including panax ginseng,
red korean ginseng, American ginseng, etc. One option is to buy a
ginseng product that has a standardized extract of 3 to 7 percent ginsenosides. Use 100 mg of this
extract in the morning a few times a week. You may require 500 to 2,000 mg of he dried
ginseng root to feel the effects. Its best to cycle the use of ginseng. For instance, you
can take ginseng for two weeks and then take off a few weeks or take it every
other day.
Ginseng Side Effects
Insomnia is a common side effect from ginseng overuse, particularly Asian
ginseng especially when its combined in high doses with other herbs or
nutrients that cause alertness. Althea, a 38 year-old owner of a garden shop in Maui,
says, "I took ginseng that was recommended
by a Chinese physician for fatigue. I took the ginseng for two weeks. I felt really better
emotionally, mellow, and with increased energy. Then I started to have increased sleep
problems and insomnia. I went three days being so mentally and physically overstimulated
that I hardly got any sleep. I imagine this is what being on "speed" must feel
like. I stopped taking the ginseng and within two days I slowly returned to my normal
state."
This story confirms our recommendations that
dosages of nutrients and herbs have to be constantly evaluated since they can build up in
the system.
Mechanisms of Action of Ginseng
The roots of Chinese and American ginseng contain several saponins named
ginsenosides that are believed to contribute to their properties. Saponins are
interesting natural compounds found in many plants, herbs, roots, and beans.
They are used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve stamina and combat
fatigue and stress. Saponins have potential in the prevention and treatment of
diseases of the heart and circulatory system. For instance, they inhibit the
formation of lipid peroxides (fat oxidation) in cardiac muscle and in the liver.
Saponins also influence the function of enzymes; decrease blood coagulation,
cholesterol, and sugar levels in the blood; and stimulate the immune system.
Some saponins may even have anti-tumor properties. Recent studies in laboratory
animals have shown that both the Asian and American forms of ginseng enhance
libido and copulatory performance. These effects of ginseng may not be due to
changes in hormone secretion, but to the direct effects of ginseng, or its
ginsenoside components, on the central nervous system and gonadal tissues. There
is good evidence that ginsenosides can facilitate penile erection by directly
inducing the vasodilatation and relaxation of penile corpus cavernosa. Moreover,
the effects of ginseng on the corpus cavernosa appear to be mediated by the
release of nitric oxide from endothelial cells and from nerves that surround the
vessels. Treatment with American ginseng also affects the central nervous system
and has been shown to significantly alter the activity of hypothalamic
catecholamines, such as dopamine and norephinephrine, involved in the
facilitation of copulatory behavior and hormone secretion. According to recent
findings, that ginseng treatment decreases prolactin secretion,
which also suggests a direct effect of ginseng at the level of the pituitary
gland. High levels of prolactin inhibit libido. Studies sometimes have provided
contradictory results, perhaps because the ginsenoside content of ginseng root
or root extracts can differ depending on the species, method of extraction,
subsequent treatment, or even the season of collection.
Ginseng Information Summary
Many people who take ginseng or ginseng extract find this herb to be a good overall energizer and cognitive
enhancer. Due to the tremendous variety of ginseng products sold, it is difficult to give definite
dosage recommendations. You could certainly try a few ginseng products to see which one(s) give
you a positive effect. In practical and simple terms, Asian ginseng raises body
temperature and is more stimulating while American ginseng is more calming.
The effects of Siberian ginseng fall somewhere between these two.
blood ginseng high pressure
find ginseng
Ginseng information questions
Q. Can Asian ginseng be taken the same day as royal jelly.
A. Ginseng is stimulating in nature, so is royal jelly, therefore
less of a dose is needed if both are taken together.
Q. I am on an anticoagulant warfarin and want to take
ginseng. Is ginseng okay to take with an anticoagulant?
A. Doctors place patients on an anticoagulant usually for serious
conditions, and most people who are on anticoagulants have atrial fibrillation
or potential cardiac problem. Hence, it may not be a good idea to take a
stimulating herb such as ginseng with an anticoagulant.
Q. Is ginseng liquid better than ginseng powder in a
capsule? I find ginseng in capsule difficult to swallow since I have trouble
with pill swallowing.
A. We don't see a major difference in clinical effects between
liquid ginseng and ginseng in capsule form. However, liquid ginseng may be
appropriate to those who have trouble swallowing pills.
Passion Rx for sexual
benefit
The herbs in Passion Rx
include Ashwagandha,
Catuaba, Cnidium herb, Muira
Puama herb, Tribulus
herb,
Tongkat ali, and Yohimbe
herb.
Additional links
Gluco htm
information
Gluco html
information
The root of the ginseng plant has been used in China, Japan, and Korea for many centuries in psychiatric and neurological conditions, and for enhancing vitality. There are several varieties of ginseng sold over the counter: Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus Chinensis) are the most common. Technically Siberian ginseng does not belong in the same genus as Asian or American ginseng and does not contain the same type of substances called ginsenosides.
Difference between types of ginseng
As a rule, Asian ginseng is more stimulating and raises body temperature
while American ginseng is less heating and stimulating. Hundreds of ginseng root
products are available over the counter with different dosages and combinations.
The effect you notice from one ginseng product may be slightly or moderately
different than another ginseng product depending on the quality of the herb, the
dosages, the extract potency and other factors. Ginseng is also often added to
certain energy drinks. A wide variety of ginseng teas are sold in health food
stores.
Ginseng benefits
Ginseng has been found to be helpful in enhancing energy and for sexual
vitality.
Ginseng roots are ingested orally in Asia as
adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, and stimulants. An adaptogen is an herb that
supposedly improves wellbeing and can help a person's resistance to stress.
Korean ginseng has been shown in studies to have sexual enhancing properties.
There are many herbs besides ginseng that are effective for sexual enhancement.
These include tongkat ali, tribulus terrestris, horny goat weed, maca, catuaba,
and mucuna pruriens. Ginseng may also help with blood sugar control although
more research is needed to confirm this benefit.
Ginseng side effects
High dosages of ginseng can cause overstimulation, restlessness, rapid heart
beat, anxiety, headache, and insomnia. Just with any medication or supplement,
the right dosage can be quite helpful while an excessive amount can lead to
unpleasant adverse effects. Discuss with your doctor before using a ginseng
product if you have a heart condition, are taking blood pressure pills, hormone
medications, anti-depressants, or have a serious health condition.