" To hear the claims made for ginseng is to be thrust into one of two positions: either a romantic awe of this God-given root which is a most amazing panacea or a total cynicism concerning a root which symbolizes man's capacity to make a fool of himself."
Stephen Fulder, Ph.D., The Tao of Medicine
There are two active ginsengs, Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng and Panax ginseng (used extensively in Asian cultures as a tonic stimulant and rejuvenator). This herb's Latin name panax refers to ¨all healing,¨ as in the Greek term panacea. Eleutherococcus senticosus, or Siberian ginseng is a separate species with similar constituents and properties.
The herb symbolizes health, strength, and long life. When Chinese emperor Shen Nung compiled the Pen Tsao Ching (the oldest existing record of herbal remedies) ginseng was designated the most important of the hundreds of herbs in use.
For thousands of years, ginseng has been a cornerstone of health and longevity in China. In recent years, Westerners are discovering the numerous benefits of ginseng for themselves. As our bodies endure the nonstop assault of stress, environmental toxins, poor diet, and other hazards of modern day life, we need a natural restorative that fosters internal harmony while building resistance to disease before it appears. Ginseng fills the bill perfectly.
The ginsengs have a number of active ingredients, such as peptides, glycosides, and the trace mineral germanium. American ginseng grows naturally in cool woodlands from the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Manitoba to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Louisana. Panax ginseng (or Asian ginseng), is native to Manchuria (region of northeast China) and to North and South Korea.
Ginseng is an adaptogen, i.e. it is a substance that is able to improve the ability of an organism to adapt to differing external or internal disturbances. The results of supplementation have illustrated that ginseng:
l. increases the ability of humans to adapt to adverse physical conditions.
2. increases mental awareness and work output
3. improves the quality of work under stressful conditions and athletic performance.
A possible role of ginseng's ability to increase endurance and/or performance is its ability to spare glycogen (stored glucose) by increasing the use of fatty acids as a fuel source. During prolonged exercise, the development of fatigue is closely linked to the depletion of glycogen and the build up of lactic acid in both the liver and skeletal muscle. The greater the ability to mobilize fatty acids and spare glycogen, the greater the physiological stamina. Additionally, ginseng has been shown to reduce the release of "stressor" hormones such as catecholamines which may further spare glycogen use.
American ginseng, is a small deciduous perennial shrub that requires rich soil and shade to grow. A plant can take from five to seven years to mature from seed. The older the plant, the higher the level of ginsenosides, making it more potent. However, research shows that ginsenoside levels plateau after about 8 years. The roots are harvested in the autumn, after the plant has finished its growing cycle. They are sorted, dried, and trimmed for use in liquid extracts, powders, honey-sweetened candy, capsules, as a paste or powder used to make teas, or as the whole root. A daily dose of ginseng root is usually about 500mg.
While Asian and American ginsengs share the same active ginsenoside constituents, the ratio of these ginsenosides sets these two ginsengs apart. American ginseng has a high ratio of Rb1 ginsenosides, which are calming to the body compared to Asian ginseng's higher ratio of Rg1 ginsenosides, which are stimulating to the body.
NORTH AMERICAN GINSENG
SIBERIAN GINSENG
§Restorative
§Yin tonic Yin/Yang (Neutral)
§Cooling, relaxing Mildly warming, stimulating
§Lowers blood pressure
Regulates blood pressure
§Lowers tension Stimulant
Ideal for active lifestyles Enhances vegetarian diet
§Enhances Immune system Increases vitality
§Lowers cholesterol Aids concentration
§Calms body Assists digestion
§24 ginsenosides Balances body chemistry
20 ginsenosides
CAUTIONS:
Any substance that has potential power and benefit can obviously, also be misused. Overdose may result in increased blood pressure, diarrhea, skin eruptions, or insomnia. It may interact with the sensitive hormonal system and may also aggravate fibrocystic breast disease in women. If there are any cardiac problems, ginseng should be used very carefully, and it should not be used by pregnant women. Occasional cases of insomnia or agitation are more likely when foods and beverages containing caffeine are also being consumed.
As always, consult your doctor before adding any herb or supplement to your diet.
