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Ginseng:
An Ancient Medical Root


For thousands of years ginseng root has been a valued medicinal herb in traditional oriental healing. Ginseng was known as a potent promoter of vitality and longevity...

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Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Introduction

The Active Ingredients in Ginseng Root

Pure American Ginseng Capsules

Recommended Uses

Recommended Dosages

References

Introduction

The term ginseng refers to several species in the genus Panax. For more than two thousand years, the roots of this slow-growing plant have been valued in Chinese medicine. The two most commonly used species are Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer, commonly called Asian ginseng and Panax Quinquefolius L., commonly called American ginseng. Panax ginseng should not be confused with Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) which does not have the same properties.

The word Panax is derived from the Greek word for cure-all. From scientific studies, the root has been found to contain several physiologically active substances, particularly the ginsenosides.

Asian ginseng is very rare in its natural range but is still cultivated whereas American ginseng is both harvested from the wild and cultivated. Fortunately, the cultivated root has demonstrated all the potency of the wild variety. The picking of wild ginseng root was controlled in ancient times and is now strictly controlled in Asia as well as North America.

Cultivated ginseng production continues to fill the growing international demand. The best American ginseng grows in Wisconsin, USA.

References

There are a large number of studies on ginseng. Some highly respected medical institutions have screened these for their quality, and provide selected published references on their websites. The Links for three such websites are provided below:

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

University of Maryland Medical Center
Refer to “Supporting Research” section

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

The Active Ingredients in Ginseng Root

Western medicine has mainly focused on purifying the active substance(s) of medicinal plants, thereby producing patented drugs. However, it is now accepted that other components may be essential for the "active" substances to properly function. This is particularly true for medicinal plants which restore the body’s natural balance and cleanse it of toxins. The modern western term for ginseng and other such medicines is “adaptogen”.

From modern scientific studies (see Reference section), numerous physiologically active substances have been identified, as listed below:

• ginsenosides
• quinquefolans A, B & C
• anti-oxidants
• steroids
• germanium

Approximately 29 ginsenocides (tripterpenoid saponins) have been identified in ginseng root. These are considered to be the adaptogens, i.e. help the body adapt to and recover from the effects of stress, disease, and fatigue. In studies, saponins have exhibited the following effects: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, and regulator of blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.

Polysaccharides or glycans (e.g. quinquefolans A, B & C) are known to have stimulatory effects on the immune system, and are anti-oxidants which combat the effects of aging.

Ginseng root also contains several steroid compounds, including panaxtriol. The steroids are remarkably similar to anabolic steroids found naturally in the human body.

Recently, germanium has been identified in ginseng root, which has a powerful dehydrogenating effect and is considered important in proper bodily functions (liver, etc.).

Recommended Dosage

The average dosage for adults is equivalent to 1 to 2 grams root/day. Low dosages are usually 0.5-1.0 grams root/day and high dosages are 3.0-4.5 grams root/day. Dosage and duration are based on the type of problem and severity of the symptoms.

In healthy individuals who wish to increase physical or mental performance, to prevent illness, or to improve resistance to stress, ginseng should be taken in the low to average dosages stated above for two to three weeks, followed by a break of two weeks.

For help recovering from an illness, the elderly should take 0.5 gram twice daily for three months, or alternate months for a longer time.

This herb is not recommended for use in children because of its stimulant properties.

Recommended Uses

Asian ginseng is considered to be very "yang" (warm) and is often used for limited periods of time. It has been reported to contain roughly half the number of active ginsenocides found in American ginseng, which is considered to be more "yin" (cool) and better suited for long term usage. Also, it is particularly useful as a Yin (cool) tonic, for those who are Yang (hot) in nature. For these reasons, American ginseng has become very prized in Asia.

American ginseng is used for the following body-strengthening purposes:

• Improve mental performance
• Balance blood flow and pressure
• Relieve stress
• Reduce fatigue
• Increase energy
• Promote endurance
• Treat diabetes (balance blood glucose)
• Stimulate the immune system
• Prevent infections
• Prevent cancer
• Treat cancer
• Enhance virility and fertility

Also, some highly respected medical institutions have studied the use of ginseng for the above (and other) purposes. The Links for the websites of two of them are provided below:

Link to University of Maryland Medical Center website
University of Maryland Medical Center
Refer to “Overview”

Link to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center website
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Pure American Ginseng Capsules

XXX mg powder, 90 capsules/bottle

These “chi Jia” brand ginseng capsules contain the ground powder of whole dried mature American ginseng roots, with no fillers added. The plants are grown under optimal conditions to produce the best quality roots. The ginseng is grown in Wisconsin, long known for its production of potent roots.

Ginseng: An Ancient Medical Root

For thousands of years ginseng root has been a valued medicinal herb in traditional oriental healing. Ginseng was known as a potent promoter of vitality and longevity since it was believed to restore the body's natural balance of qi (elemental energy), i.e. the negative and positive energies. In addition, ginseng was known to sharpen the mind and memory.

Ginseng root was originally known in Asia as Man Root because it can resemble the human figure in a variety of easily recognizable postures: standing, running, sitting, leaping, etc. Ginseng use is mentioned during the Qin and Han dynasties, 221 BC - 220 AD. Ginseng was a rare herb even then, and was much coveted by Asian royalty and military aristocracy.

The following statement is found in The Shen-Nung Pharmacopeia (~500 AD); "Ginseng is a tonic to the five viscera, quieting the animal spirits, stabilizing the soul, preventing fear, expelling the vicious energies, brightening the eye and improving vision, opening up the heart which benefits the understanding, and if taken for some time will invigorate the body and prolong life."

American ginseng is native to North America and has been used traditionally by Native Americans for thousands of years. European settlers have used it also since the early 1700s and it was eventually exported to Asian markets (e.g. 375 tons in 1824).