Panax Ginseng
Korean Ginseng
Panax is derived from the Greek, ‘pan’ meaning ‘all’ and ‘akos’ meaning ‘cure’. This refers to it’s use as a panacea or cure-all. Indeed the claims for Panax ginseng, of which scientists have historically been skeptical, imply a near-miraculous ability to address a wide variety of problems.
Panax ginseng, called ‘Green gold’ by some, is one of the world's most valued plants and one of its most revered medicines. It is thus one of the most expensive herbs in the world.
The common name, Ginseng, comes from Chinese characters meaning ‘the essence of the earth in the form of man.’ This name refers to Ginseng's gnarled fleshy root, with tendrils and rootlets that sometimes give it the shape of a person. This shape signified to the ancients that Panax ginseng treated the whole body.
It is the most potent tonic in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and has been used in China for five thousand years. Traditional uses of Panax ginseng include treatment of impotence, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, prevention of liver toxicity and promotion of longevity.
Modern uses include
- to aid the alleviation of physical and mental exhaustion.
- to help the body adapt in times of stress
- to improve memory and concentration.
- to improve stamina and physical performance.
- to improve inadequate resistance and healing
- to relieve the psychological symptoms of menopause
- to stimulate and enhance sexual function in both male and female with low vitality
Thousands of pharmacological studies and hundreds of animal studies have shown that the pharmacological effects of Panax ginseng are many and varied. The root may have beneficial effects on fatigue and the immune system as well as anti-diabetic and anti-impotence effects.
In a study by Rosenfeld of fifty patients with psychosomatic weakness, depression, or neurological disorders, physicians and patients rated the success of Panax ginseng at 96 and 88 percent, respectively.
Clinical studies reported in a University of Illinois monograph, support the use of Panax ginseng as a mental and physical preventive and restorative agent in some cases of weakness, exhaustion, tiredness, loss of concentration, and during convalescence.
In a 1990 randomized clinical trial by Scaglione and associates, patients receiving ginseng showed improved immunity.
A 1995 study by Sotaniemi and associates reported that diabetics taking ginseng noted improvements in mood, physical performance, reduced fasting blood sugar, and overall regulation of blood sugar levels.
Le Gal and Cathebras 1996 found in over 200 subjects that ginseng reduced fatigue.
Gianoli and Riebenfeld 1984 showed that ginseng extract improved sleep, appetite, wellbeing and physical performance.
Panax has been shown to alleviate symptoms in menopausal women, particularly flushing, fatigue, depression and insomnia.
Panax can facilitate penile erection.
Panax may lessen stress-induced increase in cortisone by the adrenal gland and indeed has been shown to increase resistance to a variety of stressors such as heat stress, cold water swim stress and food deprivation.
There are also many studies demonstrating Panax ginseng’s benefit to concentration, memory, accuracy and reaction time.
Many studies also demonstrate Panax’s positive effect in promoting longevity, metabolism and growth of normal cells both in vitro and in vivo. Scientists postulate that these effects confirm the tonic activity of the herb
Not all studies of ginseng, however, have been favourable.
In a 1997 study of thirty-one men, a ginseng extract did not produce any improvement in work performance and recovery, nor a change in energy metabolism.
A problem with ginseng, as well as other popular medicinal herbs, is product quality. Commercial preparations of ginseng are expensive and can vary tremendously in quality. Studies in the late 1990s found that ginseng products were of widely variable quality, and that many contained little or no ginseng. Nevertheless, ginseng products enjoy great popularity throughout the world and people may be paying an expensive price for a poor quality product.
Commission E recommends ginseng as a tonic for invigoration and fortification in times of fatigue, debility and convalescence and for a declining capacity for work and concentration.
The W.H.O recommends it as a prophylactic and restorative agent for enhancement of mental and physical capacities, for cases of weakness, exhaustion and loss of concentration; and during convalescence.
Cautions and Contra-indications.
Asthma, hypertension and acute infections.
Overuse may cause headache, insomnia and palpitations.
|
