Chinese ginseng

Panax ginseng

Chinese ginseng is the most famous Chinese herb of all. It has been valued for its remarkable therapeutic benefits for about 7,000 years and was so revered that wars were fought for control of the forests in which it thrived. An Arabian physician brought ginseng back to Europe in the 9th century, yet its ability to improve stamina and resistance to stress became common knowledge in. the West only in the 18th century.

Other names

• Asian Ginseng
• Korean Ginseng

Parts used

Root.
In China dried root is chewed to provide an energy boost

Uses

Therapeutic actions - As an adaptogenic, ginseng's action varies. It has a stimulating effect on young people with strong qi (vital force), but is tonic, restorative, and even sedative for those weakened by illness or old age.
Chinese remedy - In China, ginseng is best known as a stimulant, tonic herb for athletes and those subject to physical stress, and as a male aphrodisiac. It is also a tonic for old age, and is traditionally taken by people in northern and central China from late middle age onward, helping them to endure the long hard winters.
Western tonic - In the West, ginseng is viewed not so much as a medicine, but as a life enhancing tonic. It is useful for those coping with stressful events, such as taking exams. Ginseng is often abused in the West and should not be taken for more than 6 weeks.

Habitat & cultivation

Ginseng is native to northeastern China, eastern Russia, and North Korea, but is now extremely rare in the wild. Ginseng cultivation requires great skill. It is propagated from seed in spring and requires rich, moist, but well-drained soil. The plant takes at least 4 years to mature. The root is then normally harvested in autumn, washed, and steamed before being dried.

Research

Adaptogenic - Ginseng has been researched in detail over the past 20-30 years in China, Japan, Korea, Russia, and many other countries. Its remarkable "adaptogenic" quality (helping the body to adapt to stress, fatigue, and cold) has been confirmed. Trials show that ginseng significantly improves the body's capacity to cope with hunger, extremes of temperature, and mental and emotional stress. Furthermore, ginseng produces a sedative effect when the body requires sleep. The ginsenosides that are responsible for this action are similar in structure to the body's own stress hormones.
Other - research Ginseng also increases immune function and resistance to infection, and supports liver function.

How much to take

The best researched forms of ginseng are standardized herbal extracts that supply approximately 4-7% ginsenosides; more concentrated extracts may be less effective due to reduction of panaxan levels. People often take 100-200 mg per day; Non standardized extracts require a higher intake, generally 1-2 grams per day for tablets or 2-3 ml for fresh herb tincture. Ginseng is usually used for two to three weeks continuously, followed by a one- to two-week "rest" period before resuming.

Side effects

Used at the recommended dosage, ginseng is generally safe. In rare instances, it may cause over stimulation and possibly insomnia. Consuming caffeine with ginseng increases the risk of over stimulation and gastrointestinal upset. Persons with uncontrolled high blood pressure should not use ginseng. Long-term use of ginseng may cause menstrual abnormalities and breast tenderness in some women. Ginseng is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

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