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What is Ginseng?
Ginseng is a short, perennial plant of the Araliaceae
botanical family. It grows naturally on the slopes of
ravines and shady, well drained mountainous hardwood
forests. It bears five compound leaves on a single
stalk at maturity. An insignificant gray flower blooms
each spring and by late summer has turned into a
cluster of crimson fruit from which the ginseng seed
is obtained.The plant grows between 7 to 21 inches in
height when wild. The root is creamy yellow or white
resembling a parsnip with rootlets that branch off,
sometimes taking the shape of a human body. The root
is the part that is consumed.Ginseng is the most
widely used herb in the Orient.
The History of Ginseng
The Chinese have been using ginseng for over 5000
years. They composed the name ginseng from two words
meaning "Man Plant" from its frequent
likeness to the human form. It was later given the
botanical name Panax derived from the Greek for All
Healing or Cure All and related to the word Panacea.
It comes as a surprise to most North Americans that
the variety of ginseng native to this continent, known
as Panax quinquefolium L., has been used by our native
peoples in a similar fashion as their Asian cousins
who use panax ginseng. Ginseng and all of its products
are made from 100% pure whole root.Ginseng has been
the most highly respected herb since ancient times by
both Chinese and Native American herbalists. As known
by these ancient healers, this herb seems to help the
mind and body to be in balance.A Quote about Ginseng
from the Nutrition Almanac:"Ginseng strengthens
the heart and nervous system. It builds general mental
and physical vitality and resistance to disease by
strengthening and stimulating the endocrine glands
that control all basic physiological processes
including the metabolism of vitamins and minerals.
Soviet researchers report that ginseng normalizes the
level of arterial pressure and is effective in the
treatment of both hypertension and hypotension."
About Ginseng
Ginseng is one of nature's greatest gifts. It is used
to increase physical and mental endurance, boost
energy, normalize body functions, reduce cholesterol,
and prevent cancer. Traditionally, ginseng has been
used to enhance sexual desire, by promoting sex
hormone production. Ginseng supports the natural
balance of your body to combat fatigue and strengthens
and protects your nervous system.Now modern research
has demonstrated that over 28 therapeutic elements (ginsenosides)
are in this vitamin rich plant. Recent research shows
that regular use of Ginseng is helpful in the
treatment of memory loss (Alzheimer's), balance of
blood sugar levels (Diabetes), slowing down the aging
process, helping the immune system, etc.
Benefits of Ginseng
The benefits of long term usage of ginseng have been
realized by the North American and European
populations only since the late 1960s. As awareness of
ginseng's properties steadily increase, so does its
popularity. Ginseng's value is mainly as a
preventative. It should be taken over a long period of
time to stimulate rejuvenation and virility.
Indications are the best long term benefits are
achieved with a dosage of between 500 and 1500 mg
(milligrams) per day. For therapeutic use, a dosage of
2000 mg per day is recommended.Ginseng may be
effective for treating colds, coughs, rheumatism,
neuralgia, gout, diabetes, anemia insomnia, stress,
headache, backache and double vision. Women find it
helpful in normalizing menstruation and easing
childbirth. In an experiment study in Eastern Europe,
ginseng was used effectively as a mouth was against
Periodontal Disease which is a progressive destruction
of the supporting structures of the teeth. Ginseng
also counteracts the effects of physical and emotional
stress, enhances memory, counteracts fatigue without
caffeine, and improves stamina. Medically, ginseng
stimulates the immune system, by spuring the
production of the body's own virus fighting chemicals,
helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, has
anti-clotting effects, reducing risk of arterial blood
clots, helps control diabetes by reducing blood sugar
levels, is known as an antioxidant, preventing the
cumulative cell damage researchers believe cumulates
in cancer, protects the liver from the effects of
drug, alcohol and toxins, minimizes cell damage from
radiation, and increases intestinal absorption of
nutrients.
Types of Ginseng
There are two distinct types of ginseng grown in the
world, American ginseng (white or yellow in color) and
Asiatic ginseng (red color). They claim that American
ginseng has a cooling quality on the body versus a
heating quality for Asiatic ginseng. The traditional
Ying and Yang if you will.American Ginseng (Panax
quinquefolium L.)American ginseng seems to be the most
common name. Panax quinquefolium is native to Eastern
North America from Southern Ontario to Georgia and as
far west as Wisconsin. Panax quinquefolium is now also
grown in China. Panax quinquefolium is believed to
give a cooling effect to the body.This cooling, energy
giving, endurance enhancing factor is believed to be
the most beneficial for our fast paced, stressful
world.Asiatic Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)Asian, Korean, or
Chinese ginseng (all common names) refers to a plant
native to North Korea and China but Red Ginseng is a
processed product and is made from steaming Korean
grown Panax white ginseng for 8 - 10 hours then
drying; often it is processed further into tea,
capsules or slices. Panax ginseng is used to warm the
body.Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus
senticosis)Siberian ginseng, is a commonly found
product given the common name of ginseng. It is not a
true ginseng or it would have the genus Panax. It is
though, related to the ginseng group as they both are
in the Araliaceae family of plants, a very large
grouping, including devil's club and sarsasparilla.
Siberian ginseng does not have the chemicals called
ginsenocides in its root but are said to have
chemicals that do similar thing s. It is grown in
Russia and China mainly and is native to East Russia
and down to the Japanese Island of Hokkaido. The
common name ginseng is so attached to this plant we
will probably never get rid of it but customers should
know it is not a true ginseng.
How to Use Ginseng
Ginseng is available commercially in many different
forms. The effectiveness of a ginseng product depends
on the concentration and variety of ginsenocides it
may contain. Benefits also vary greatly according to
the processing and percentage of ginseng in the
preparation.A recent study at the Philadelphia College
of Pharmacy in the U.S. reported that 29% of randomly
purchased products claiming to contain ginseng did not
have any significant amount of the herb, another 27%
contained ginsenocides in amounts so low that the
preparation was considered unsuitable for therapeutic
value. Thus consumers should be wary of what they are
purchasing and be sure of the ginseng content in each
item.Purchasing the actual dried root is the most
economical and surest way to get the most value for
your money. Mature roots can be consumed in a variety
of ways. The optimal dosage of ginseng is two or three
grams a day. Herbalists suggest ginseng be consumed
daily or intermittently (three times a week).
Ultimately each individual must depend upon personal
experience with the herb.Root slices can be brewed
slowly in a tea pot (silver or glass) for one hour.
The resulting tea can be sweetened to taste, generally
a bitter tasting root indicates higher potency. Root
slivers can also be added to soups or liquors. In some
preparations it is desirable to first grind your
ginseng with a mortar and pestle. The resulting powder
can be used in meals or can be placed under your
tongue where the high concentrations of blood vessels
allow the ginsenocides to be absorbed directly into
the blood stream. Finally, the simplest way and method
of choice for many ginseng devotees is to chew the
dried root like a hard piece of hard candy. A quick
five minute soak in boiling water will make the root
more palatable. Chewing will introduce you to the true
essence of ginseng, its flavor, texture, and its many
benefits. Experimentation with these methods will
allow you to decide what best suits your individual
needs.
By Florence C. Lee
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