Ginseng is one of the most commonly used herbal products on the planet, with three main varieties widely available for purchase at health food stores. These most common varieties are Asian ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng; American ginseng, or Panax quinquefolius; and Siberian ginseng, or Eleutherococcus senticosus. All three varieties are used in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, but each possesses particular qualities which differentiate it from the others.
Asian Ginseng for Libido
For centuries, Chinese medicine has touted ginseng as an aphrodisiac, and now science may be backing up that traditional wisdom with solid research. According to "Better Nutrition's" Amber D. Ackerson, both "The Journal of Family Practice" and "Urology" have published recent studies supporting the use of ginseng in treating erectile dysfunction, with the former publication suggesting it as a natural substitute for Viagra.
Asian and American Ginsengs are Adaptogens
Unlike medications that address a specific pathology, adaptogens are supplements that help the body fight off the effects of stressors in general and increase physical well-being. Chinese herbalists have used ginseng for its adaptogenic properties for centuries. Following the example of their ancient Chinese predecessors, ginseng is now being used in an adaptogenic capacity by modern natural health practitioners world wide. The University of Maryland Medical Center cites a study of over 500 subjects who reported increases in energy, sleep and quality of life while using ginseng as an adaptogen.
Red Panax Ginseng for Skin and Lungs
Smokers who worry about the effects of that vice on their skin and lungs may want to investigate red ginseng. According to "The Journal of Medicinal Food", studies have shown red ginseng, a variety of Panax ginseng, to have positive effects on both skin and lung tissue. In 2009, a study of 86 women using extracts of red ginseng found decreases of up to 23.5 percent in rough facial wrinkles. The following year, red ginseng was shown to have possible cancer fighting properties in a study of mice inoculated with human lung cancer cells.
Siberian Ginseng is not a True Ginseng
Siberian Ginseng, also known as Eleutherococcus senticosus, is not a true ginseng, but rather a distant relative of the Panax ginseng plant. The American Cancer Society reports that Chinese herbalists have used Siberian ginseng for over 2000 years in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, such as hepatic and renal weakness, fatigue and rheumatism.
References
- American Cancer Society: Ginseng
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Red Ginseng Root Extract Mixed with Torilus Fructus and Corni Fructus Improves Facial Wrinkles and Increases Type I Procollagen Synthesis in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study; Soyun Cho, Chong-Hyun Won, Dong Hun Lee, Min-Jung Lee, Se rah Lee,Seung-Ho So, Seong-Kye Lee, Bon-Suk Koo, Na-Mi Kim,and Jin Ho Chung; December 2009
- "Journal of Medicinal Food";A Lipid-Soluble Red Ginseng Extract Inhibits the Growth of Human Lung Tumor Xenografts in Nude Mice; Sung Dong Lee, Song-Kyu Park, Eun Sil Lee, Hwan Mook Kim, Chang Woo Lee, Kiho Lee, Ki Hoon Lee, Moo Rim Kang, Kwang Seung Lee, Junsoo Lee, Woo Ik Hwang, Dong Chung Kim; February 2010
- "Better Nutrition"; Asian Ginseng; Amber D. Ackerson; June 2006
- Perspectives; Digging for Ginseng's Secrets
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