ginsEng - wonders of the medical herb

getting to the root of this versatile herb

EARLY GINSENG TRADERS PROBABLY NEVER CONSIDERED THE impact they made on the American wilderness by digging millions of tons of wild American ginseng. They filled their bags with roots and their pockets with money and depleted the woods of wild ginseng. In 1824, over 600,000 tons of roots were exported. Today, wild American ginseng is increasingly rare, but--with prices topping $600 a pound--it is still harvested. Just what makes this rather ugly root so attractive? Read on to learn more about ginseng's amazing healing properties.

all in the family

Ginseng has a well-deserved reputation for increasing physical and mental stamina as well as general well being. Ginseng actually designates several different plants. Most famous of the clan are Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and the closely-related American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Another member of this extensive ginseng (Araliaceae) family, although it is not considered a true ginseng, is Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) or Eleuthero.

The ginsengs have been coined adaptogens because they help the body adapt in many ways. They regulate, normalize, and balance physical functions and increase resistance to disease. I like the way Dr. James Duke, author of several herb books including The Green Pharmacy, describes adaptogens as providing an "herbal potpourri" from which your body selects whatever it needs to cure itself. For example, the ginsengs lower or increase blood sugar and cholesterol, protect or break down red blood cells, promote or inhibit cell division, and increase or diminish the heart, breath, and blood pressure--all depending upon an individual's needs.

getting physical

If you do physical labor or work out at the gym, or even if you're just a weekend warrior, the ginsengs can help you withstand physical extremes such as fatigue and help you adjust to cold or hot temperatures, or darkness or bright light. They do so by improving your cardiovascular health and by fueling your muscles through an increase of oxygen and storage of glycogen and the enzyme ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The also reduce accumulation of lactic acid, and thus diminish muscle stiffness and cramping. Research shows that ginseng users do recover faster from strenuous exercise.

Researchers think that Asian ginseng works to adjust the body's major regulators: the pituitary, hypothalamus and adrenal glands. For example, the hypothalamus performs many functions. It helps alleviate stress and fatigue, and maintains blood pressure, blood sugar, water balance, body temperature, immunity and sexual functions. The pituitary controls thyroid, adrenal and sex hormone activity. Regulation of the hormone hydrocortisone means that the ginseng helps control metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, protein, fluids and inflammation. It also means adjusting pH levels and nerve and muscle responses. Asian ginseng even helps slow shrinkage of over-stressed adrenal glands. As far as its reputation of enhancing sexual functions, herbalists find it useful, although so far few studies support it.

mind power

Unlike most stimulants, ginseng improves mental ability without disturbing your sleep pattern, even when they are taken over an extended time. In fact, it actually helps you sleep sounder. It's all in the dose. Tree to its adaptogenic properties, large quantities of Asian ginseng tend to be sedative while small ones are stimulating. Ginseng increases oxygen not only to muscles, but also to the brain where they help rebuild nerve cells that relay brain messages throughout the body. Nerve reflexes return faster in anesthetized hospital patients when they take Asian ginseng beforehand. Ginseng may not actually make you smarter, but people working under stressful conditions, such as telegraph operators, have found their work efficiency and hearing improve when taking ginseng. If you notice your mental functions declining due to age, illness, stress, or hardening of the arteries, then ginseng may be your answer. In addition, European doctors prescribe Asian ginseng to also treat mood disorders such as depression, especially in the elderly.

helping us detoxify

Chinese doctors have found that Asian ginseng lessens the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation in some cancer patients. Statistics from almost 2,000 individuals show that regular use of ginseng means fewer cancers of the mouth, lungs and stomach, liver, pancreas, and ovaries.

Strong antioxidant properties in ginseng reduce harmful free-radicals that destroy cells and are thought to promote aging, hardening of the arteries, liver disease, and degeneration of the eyes and nerves. Asian ginseng hastens recovery from alcohol's effects. Preliminary studies indicate it does so by stimulating liver enzymes that detoxify alcohol, amphetamines, drugs, and poisons like chloroform and help to improve chronic liver disease. It even helps people to recover more rapidly from alcohol's effects.

playing it safe

Another benefit of adaptogens is that they produce very few side effects. Dr. Duke figures that the compounds in Asian ginseng, which are called ginsenosides, are about 10 times less toxic than the caffeine in coffee or the theobromine found in chocolate.

Ginseng, however, can delay the absorption of pharmaceutical drugs, can reduce the actions of sedatives and narcotics, and can increase the potency of the heart medicine digitalis. Therefore, if you have high blood pressure or diabetes or take antipsychotic drugs, consult a health practitioner knowledgeable about herbs before going on a ginseng regimen.

Asian ginseng can be too stimulating for people who are manic, schizophrenic, or very nervous or anxious. Although it's unlikely anyone would take 50 grams a day-- which is 50 times the recommended dosage-- depression, heart palpitations, and nervous system problems have been reported with this amount.

which ginseng?

The quality of Asian ginseng is determined by its shape and size and where it was grown. The greatest amount of active ginsenoside compounds is found in five to six year old roots. The outer, pale brown skin contains most of the ginsenosides, but it is removed before the roots leave China to prevent other countries from producing red ginseng. This specialty product is made by soaking fresh, unpeeled roots in honey or wine and then steaming them with herbs such as white peony root, cinnamon, and dates. The resulting hard, brittle root is extra stimulating because it contains not only the major ginsenosides, but creates four additional ones.

Panax ginseng is sold in more forms than any other herb. You can find it in sodas, candies, toffees, even ice cream and chewing gum, but don't expect to get much of a dose. The most common forms are whole root, instant tea, tincture, concentrated or dehydrated extract, and capsules (usually 300 to 500 milligrams). The recommended dose is a quarter to half gram twice a day, taken two hours before a meal (but not in the evening or it can keep you awake). A small piece of a Panax ginseng root can also be chewed.

THE "OTHER" GINSENG

Long used in Chinese medicine as a mildly stimulating tonic, Eleuthero isn't considered a true ginseng and never achieved the same popularity in China. Most herbalists who practice Chinese medicine consider Panax ginseng superior. This may be due in part to tradition and the ancient mystique surrounding it. Stephen Fulder, research scientist and ginseng expert, feels that Eleuthero's adaptogenic effects on blood circulation and metabolism may equal Asian ginseng as a stronger restorative for increasing vitality.

Herbalist and acupuncturist Christopher Hobbs recommends Eleuthero to enhance sports performance and regulate blood sugar but turns to Asian ginseng to aid a weak digestive system. Eleuthero may also be more appropriate for young people if you listen to the ancient Chinese who declared, "If you use Asian ginseng when you are young, what will turn to when you are over 40?"

Several other ginsengs are available in North America

SANCH'I GINSENG (Panax notoginseng), also called pseudo- and noto-ginseng, is used in Chinese hospitals to stop bleeding, reduce pain, and decrease swelling, and for heart and circulation problems.

JAPANESE GINSENG (Panax japonicus) is less powerful than Panax ginseng, but valuable for people with heart palpitations, fluid around the heart, lung congestion, digestive problems, or fever and who are too weak to otherwise take ginseng.

CALIFORNIA GINSENG OR SPIKENARD (Aralia Californica), which was chewed while traveling to prevent thirst and increase energy, and the stem and root bark of Devil's Club (Opopanax horridum) are members of the ginseng family valued by Native Americans to treat general illness, lung problems, pain, rheumatism, and debilitating disease.

DONG QUAI (Angelica sinensis) is called woman's ginseng because it is a uterine toner that eases menopausal symptoms and regulates menstruation and fertility. A half billion Chinese women take it as a daily tonic, often adding it to soups and stews to build blood, restore energy, build blood, and improve liver health, heart and circulation, and to prevent blood clots and hardening of the arteries.

INDIAN GINSENG OR ASHWAGANDA (Withiania somnifea) treats fatigue, physical weakness insomnia, infertility, impotence, and debility due to old age and may be a true adaptogen. An alkaloid in the leaves inhibits cancerous tumors.

BRAZILIAN GINSENG OR SUMA (Pfaffia paniculata) is a South American herb that relieves pain and inflammation, enhances the immune system, reduces cancer cells, and may regulate hormones and blood sugar levels.

PRINCE'S GINSENG (Pseudostellaria heterophylla) is a general tonic in China that restores energy, strength, food assimilation, and appetite due to chronic illness. Animal studies indicate that it enhances the immune system by stimulating natural killer cells and T cells, and by decreasing cancerous tumor's size.

WHITE GINSENG OR SHA SHEN (Adenophora plymorpha) is a lung, kidney, and adrenal tonic.

RED GINSENG OR DAN SHEN (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a sage that strengthens the heart.

PURPLE GINSENG OR MOU SHEN (Polygonum bistorta) is a liver restorative.

FALSE GINSENG OR CODONOPSIS (Codonopsis pilosula) is milder and less stimulating than ginseng but is considered a better spleen and lung tonic. Chinese doctors use it to reduce blood clotting and stomach ulcers, enhance immunity, and treat fatigue, appetite loss, diarrhea, bronchitis. Called "poor man's ginseng," it is also less expensive.

Kathi Keville is an herbalist and aromatherapist and author of eleven popular books, including Herbs for Health and Healing (Rodale), Ginseng (Keats Good Herb Guide), and contributed a chapter on ginseng for the new book on saving medicinal herbs, Planting the Future (Healing Arts Press). She is director of the American Herb Association (www.jps.net/ ahaherb) and teaches classes throughout the U.S.

Hobbs, C. The Ginsengs: A User's Guide. Capitola, CA: Botanica Press, p. 36, 1995.

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Scaglione, F. et al. "Immunomodulatory Effects of Extracts of Panax Ginseng," Drugs Exp. Cl. Res. 1990; 16:53742.

Soldati, F., O. Tanaka. "Panax Ginseng, C. A. Meyer: Relation Between Age of Plant and Content of Ginsenosides." Planta Medica 1984; 51 (4):35152.

Yun, T.K., S.Y. Choi. "Preventive Effect of Ginseng Intake Against Various Human Cancers: A Case-Control Study on 1987 Pairs," Cancer Epid. Biom. Prev. 1995; 4:401-08.

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