Scientific/Latin Name: Panax ginseng
Place of Origin: Korea (Asia)
Commonly thought of: An energy booster
Past Uses: At one time used to improve the health of people recovering from illness, increasing stamina, improving mental and physical performance, erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, symptoms related to menopause, and controlling blood pressure.
Medicinal uses: May lower blood glucose, used as an immune system booster against colds and flu, to improve heart health (Studies suggest it may improve symptoms of heart disease) it may also decrease bad LDL cholesterol levels and raise good HDL cholesterol. It is believed to lower blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes (However the studies are not clear at it should only be taken under supervision of a doctor). Mental alertness and performance are two of the biggest uses for Ginseng as well as physical performance. Erectile dysfunction and fertility, menopause symptoms, and even cancer, as several studies suggest it may reduce the risk of certain cancers (liver, lung, pancreatic, stomach, and ovarian, however the studies weren't completely sure if it wasn't also a healthy diet that benefited towards the lower cancer risk.
Active Constituents: ginsenosides (or panaxosides)
Usually used as: The dried root used in teas, tablets, capsules, and extracts. Occasionally used topically as creams.
Growing/Wildcrafting: American Ginseng can be found in North America and it is possible to wild craft it. Asian Ginseng must be purchased or grown. Guide for growing Panax ginseng.
Cautions:
"Asian ginseng may cause nervousness or sleeplessness, especially if taken at high doses or combined with caffeine. Other side effects are rare but may include:
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Euphoria
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Nosebleed
- Breast pain
- Vaginal bleeding
People with high blood pressure should not take Asian ginseng products without their doctor's supervision. People with low blood pressure, as well as those who are sick, should use caution when taking it.
People with bipolar disorder should not take ginseng, because it may increase the risk of mania.
People with autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Crohn's disease, should ask their doctors before taking Asian ginseng. Theoretically, Asian ginseng may boost an already overactive immune system.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take Asian ginseng. Asian ginseng may cause vaginal bleeding.
Women who have a history of breast cancer should not take ginseng.
Stop taking Asian ginseng at least 7 days prior to surgery. Asian ginseng may act as a blood thinner, increasing the risk of bleeding during or after a procedure."
-University of Maryland Medical Center
Drug Interactions:
"If you are currently taking any of the following medications, you should not use Asian ginseng without first talking to your health care provider:
~ACE inhibitors (blood pressure medications) -- Asian ginseng may interact with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors used to lower high blood pressure. These medications include:
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Benazepril (Lotensin)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
- Fosinopril (Monopril)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Perindopril (Aceon)
- Quinapril (Accupril)
- Moexipril (Univasc)
- Trandolapril (Mavik)
- Amlodipine (Norvasc)
- Diltiazem (Cardizem)
- Nifedipine (Procardia)
~Caffeine -- Ginseng may make the effect of caffeine stronger, possibly causing nervousness, sweating, insomnia, or irregular heartbeat.
~Diabetes medications, including insulin -- Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
~Drugs that suppress the immune system -- Asian ginseng may boost the immune system and may interact with drugs taken to treat an autoimmune disease or drugs taken after organ transplant.
~Stimulants -- Ginseng may increase the stimulant effect and side effects of some medications take for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
~MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) -- Ginseng may increase the risk of mania when taken with MAOIs, a kind of antidepressant. There have been reports of interaction between ginseng and phenelzine (Nardil) causing headaches, tremors, and mania. MAOIs include:
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
~Furosemide (Lasix) -- Some researchers think Asian ginseng may interfere with Lasix, a diuretic (water pill) that helps the body get rid of excess fluid.
~Other medications -- Asian ginseng may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver. To be safe, if you take any medications, ask your doctor before taking Asian ginseng."
Extra Notes: There are two types of ginseng, Asian (Or Korean, known as Panax ginseng) and American (Known as Panax quinquefolius). There is also Siberian Ginseng which is not actually a ginseng and therefore does not have the same medicinal properties. It is believed that Asian Ginseng may raise blood glucose levels, and that American Ginseng lowers blood glucose levels. There are many studies but generally ginseng has not yet been confirmed to have the claimed medicinal qualities.
Where to find Recipes:
Ginseng Recipes -- Annie's Remedy
Ginseng Root Tea -- eHow Youtube Video
There are many recipes online that are non-herbal specific that include adding ginseng to vegetables, chicken, beef, or pork, which can still have the same health benefits depending on how it is cooked.
How to make Preparations:
Make tea by simmering dried root in water for 10-15 minutes. Tinctures made by chopping root (Dried or fresh) and covering with vodka or apple cider vinegar. Capsules made by buying the actual capsules (Vegetable or gelatin based) finely chopping dried materials and measuring each dose accordingly before placing into capsules. Extract made by using a carrier oil such as olive or grapeseed oil and covering the fresh or dried root in a jar, shaking daily for days or weeks, then straining and placing in colored bottle.
Sources:
"Asian Ginseng." NCCIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Apr. 2012. Web. 23 June 2015. -- Website Link
Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Asian Ginseng." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 27 Jan. 2011. Web. 23 June 2015.-- Website Link
This is also a good source of information for those of you putting together your Materia Medica (← Find out how to make your own on the side bar page titled "Materia Medica").
~Lindsey Shemwell (The Budding Botanist)
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