Ginseng is any one of the 11 species of slow-growing perennial plantswith fleshy roots, belonging to the genus Panax of the family Araliaceae.
Ginseng is found in North America and in eastern Asia (mostly northeast China, Korea,Bhutan, eastern Siberia), typically in cooler climates. Panax vietnamensis, discovered in Vietnam, is the southernmost ginseng known. This article focuses on the species of the series Panax, which are the species claimed to be adaptogens, principally Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolius. Ginseng is characterized by the presence ofginsenosides and gintonin.
Contents
Uses
The root is most often available in dried form, either whole or sliced. Ginseng leaf, although not as highly prized, is sometimes also used.
Folk medicine attributes various benefits to oral use of American ginseng and Asian ginseng (P. ginseng) roots, including roles as an aphrodisiac or stimulant treatment.
Ginseng may be found in small doses in energy drinks or herbal teas, such as ginseng coffee.
Ginsenosides, unique chemical compounds of the Panax species, are being studied for their potential use in medicine or asdietary supplements.
Benefits
1. Reduce mental stress: Ginseng can improve mental alertness, while also changing the mood and relieve fatigue. Other benefits are as herb antidepressant and anti–anxiety. When a person is experiencing excessive stress, adrenal hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline) will flow out and cause a variety of healthproblems. In this situation, ginseng can help you in balancing the level of adrenaline.
2. Stimulate the immune and nervous system: Ginseng can boost immunity. Some experts say ginsengherbal medicine can improve the quality of life. Adaptogenic properties on ginseng helps stimulate theyoung. Whereas in older people, can restore damaged cells in the body. Ginseng can also help you fight theflu and other infectious diseases.
3. Treating Diabetes: Blood sugar levels can drop drastically by taking ginseng. However, if you already useantidiabetic drugs, it is necessary to reconsider the use of ginseng simultaneously. Because the mixingginseng with diabetes drugs can make blood sugar levels are too low. Therefore, it is necessaryrecommendation from a doctor.
4. Preventing the development of cancer: The growth of certain types of cancer cells can be inhibited byginseng. Chinese Medicine Journal reported, ginsenosides have an anti-tumor effect and can induce cell damage in prostate cancer, ovarian cancer cells, lung adenocarcinoma cells and neuroblastoma cells. In addition, ginseng also function in inhibiting cell cycle progression, so as to slow the growth of cancer cells.
5. Lowering cholesterol: In some studies, ginseng was found to lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).Scientists believe that ginsenocides contained in ginseng is responsible for the reduction of cholesterollevels in the body.
6. Reduce Fatigue: The role of the various strains adaptogenic Ginseng is believed to physiological changes in the body to adapt to fatigue due to overwork.
7. Increase endurance athletes: Quality of ginseng in improving stamina tonic stimulant has made it popular among athletes. During practice, an athlete needs to be consistent stamina to remain high, and ginseng canhelp to make it happen.
Cautions
Panax ginseng is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth, long-term (more than 6 months). Researchers think it may have some hormone-like effects that could be harmful with prolonged use.
The most common side effect is trouble sleeping (insomnia). Less commonly, people experience menstrual problems, breast pain, increased heart rate, high or low blood pressure, headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, itching, rash, dizziness, mood changes, vaginal bleeding, and other side effects.
Uncommon side effects that have been reported include severe rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Panax ginseng is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taking by mouth during pregnancy. One of the chemicals in Panax ginseng has been found to cause birth defects in animals. Do not use Panax ginseng if you are pregnant.
Not enough is known about the safety of Panax ginseng during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Infants and children: Panax ginseng is LIKELY UNSAFE in infants and children. Using Panax ginseng in babies has been linked to poisoning that can be fatal. The safety of Panax ginseng in older children is not known. Until more is known, do not use Panax ginseng even in older children.
Interactions
- Alcohol interacts with GINSENG, PANAX
The body breaks down alcohol to get rid of it. Taking Panax ginseng might increase how fast your body gets rid of alcohol. - Caffeine interacts with GINSENG, PANAX
Caffeine can speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, caffeine can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Panax ginseng might also speed up the nervous system. Taking Panax ginseng along with caffeine might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking caffeine along with Panax ginseng. - Furosemide (Lasix) interacts with GINSENG, PANAX
Some scientists think that Panax ginseng might decrease how well furosemide (Lasix) works. But there isn’t enough information to know if this is a big concern. - Insulin interacts with GINSENG, PANAX
Panax ginseng might decrease blood sugar. Insulin is also used to decrease blood sugar. Taking Panax ginseng along with insulin might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your insulin might need to be changed. - Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with GINSENG, PANAX
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Panax ginseng might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking Panax ginseng along with some medications that are changed by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of your medication. Before taking Panax ginseng talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), clozapine (Clozaril), codeine, desipramine (Norpramin), donepezil (Aricept), fentanyl (Duragesic), flecainide (Tambocor), fluoxetine (Prozac), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), olanzapine (Zyprexa), ondansetron (Zofran), tramadol (Ultram), trazodone (Desyrel), and others. - Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with GINSENG, PANAX
Panax ginseng might stimulate the body. Some medications used for depression can also stimulate the body. Taking Panax ginseng with these medications used for depression might cause too much stimulation. This might cause side effects such as anxiousness, headache, restlessness, and insomnia.
Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others. - Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with GINSENG, PANAX
Panax ginseng might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Panax ginseng along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Other names
Asian Ginseng, Asiatic Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Chinese Red Ginseng, Ginseng, Ginseng Asiatique, Ginseng Blanc, Ginseng Blanc de Corée, Ginseng Chinois, Ginseng Coréen, Ginseng Coréen Rouge, Ginseng de Corée, Ginseng Japonais, Ginseng Oriental, Ginseng Panax, Ginseng Radix Alba, Ginseng Root, Ginseng Rouge, Ginseng Sino-coréen, Ginseng Tibétain, Guigai, Hong Shen, Japanese Ginseng, Jen-Shen, Jinsao, Jintsam, Insam, Korean Ginseng, Korean Ginseng Root, Korean Panax, Korean Panax Ginseng, Korean Red Ginseng, Korean White Ginseng, Manchurian Ginseng, Mandragore de Chine, Ninjin, Ninzin, Oriental Ginseng, Panax Coréen, Panax Ginseng Blanc, Panax schinseng, Racine de Vie, Radix Ginseng Rubra, Red Chinese Ginseng, Red Ginseng, Red Kirin Ginseng, Red Korean Ginseng, Red Panax Ginseng, Ren Shen, Renshen, Renxian, Sang, Seng, Sheng Shai Shen, Tibetan Ginseng, White Ginseng, White Panax Ginseng
References
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginseng
Vegetafruit, http://www.vegetafruit.com/2015/01/7-health-benefits-of-ginseng-for-your.html