| Ginseng
By Charles Silverman
Hello
Here it is, another issue of the
Home Made Medicine e-zine, this time we will talk about one of the most
popular and controversial herbs, Ginseng. When we say controversial we
mean in the United States, in Chine and Europe there is no crontroversy
about ginseng. This plant has been used for more than 5000 years
The plant grows in rich woods throughout
eastern and central North America, especially along the mountains from
Quebec and Ontario, south to Georgia. It was used by the North American
Indians. It is a smooth perennial herb, with a large, fleshy, very slow-growing
root, 2 to 3 inches in length (occasionally twice this size) and from ½
to 1 inch in thickness. Its main portion is spindle-shaped and heavily
annulated (ringed growth), with a roundish summit, often with a slight
terminal, projecting point.
At the lower end of this straight
portion, there is a narrower continuation, turned obliquely outward in
the opposite direction and a very small branch is occasionally borne in
the fork between the two. Some small rootlets exist upon the lower portion.
The color ranges from a pale yellow to a brownish color. It has a mucilaginous
sweetness, approaching that of liquorice, accompanied with some degree
of bitterness and a slight aromatic warmth, with little or no smell. The
stem is simple and erect, about a foot high, bearing three leaves, each
divided into five finely-toothed leaflets, and a single, terminal umbel,
with a few small, yellowish flowers. The fruit is a cluster of bright red
berries.
Chinese Ginseng is a larger plant,
but presents practically the same appearance and habits of growth. Its
culture in the United States has never been attempted, though it would
appear to be a promising field for experiment.
Panax is not official in the British
Pharmacopoeia, and it was dismissed from the United States Pharmacopceia
at a late revision. It is cultivated almost entirely for export to China.
In China, both varieties are used
particularly for dyspepsia, vomiting and nervous disorders. A decoction
of 1/2 oz. of the root, boiled in tea or soup and taken every morning,
is commonly held a remedy for consumption and other diseases.
In Western medicine, it is considered
a mild stomachic tonic and stimulant, useful in loss of appetite and in
digestive affections that arise from mental and nervous exhaustion.
A tincture has been prepared from
the genuine Chinese or American root, dried and coarsely powdered, covered
with five times its weight of alcohol and allowed to stand, well-stoppered,
in a dark, cool place, being shaken twice a day. The tincture, poured off
and filtered, has a clear, light-lemon colour.
The German health authorities allow
Asian ginseng products to be labeled as a tonic for invigoration to treat
fatigue, reduced work capacity and concentration, and as a tonic during
convalescence. Daily dosage is 1 to 2 g of root in appropriate formulations
is allowed.
Most reliable clinical studies on
Asian ginseng have been conducted in Europe. These studies have generally
involved extracts of Asian ginseng standardized to 4 percent and 7 percent
of ginsenosides. Results included a shortening of time to react to visual
and auditory stimuli, increased respiratory quotient, increased alertness,
power of concentration, grasp of abstract concepts, and increases in visual
and motor coordination. These are all measures of adaptogenic response.
The vast majority of scientific research,
including pharmacological and clinical studies conducted over the past
forty years, on ginseng has involved Panax ginseng Chinese ginseng (also
called Korean or Asian ginseng) Research has focused on radioprotective,
antitumor, antiviral, and metabolic effects; antioxidant activities; nervous
system and reproductive performance; effects on cholesterol and lipid metabolism,
and endocrinological activity. Research also suggests that ginseng has
non-specific immunostimulatory activity similar to that of Echinacea. The
active constituents of ginseng are saponins called. According to recent
reports, there are at least 18 saponins found in Asian ginseng. American
and Asian ginseng both contain different combinations of ginsenosides which
can in part explain there different activities as understood by Asian traditional
medicine practitioners.
CAUTION:
Don't take Ginseng and Ginseng mixtures with Coffee as it will accelerate
the caffine effects on the body and can cause diarrhea.
Ginseng herb has a long history of
use as an alternative medicine going back over 5,000 years, and appears
on several continents (origin unknown), it is and was used extensively
in Native American medicine. The root is adaptogen, cardiotonic, demulcent,
panacea, sedative, sialagogue, stimulant, tonic and stomachic. Ginseng
has been studied over the past 30 years in many countries, it??s remarkable
ability to help the body adapt to mental and emotional stress, fatigue,
heat, cold, and even hunger is confirmed and documented! The major constituents
in Ginseng are Triterpenoid saponins, Ginsenosides (at least 29 have been
identified), Acetylenic compounds, Panaxans, and Sesquiterpenes. Taken
over an extended period it is used to increase mental and physical performance.
It is medicinal and therapeutic for the whole body. A very powerful medicinal
herb, it both stimulates and relaxes the nervous system, encourages the
secretion of hormones, improves stamina, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol
levels and increases resistance to disease. The ginsenosides that produce
these effects are very similar to the body??s own natural stress hormones.
It is used in the treatment of debility associated with old age or illness,
lack of appetite, insomnia, stress, shock and chronic illness. Ginseng
also increases immune function, resistance to infection, and supports liver
function. The leaf is emetic and expectorant. The root is candied and used
as a an edible medicinal kind of candy.
We hope you have enjoyed this issue,
and that we have shed some light on this subject. Next time we will talk
about echinacea, how it helps us and how to take advantage of it.
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