Believed to endow people with wisdom and longevity, panax ginseng has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. Panax ginseng is one of the more popular herbal supplements purchased in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Herbalists of yore believed that the ginseng's root human-like presentation meant it could cure a variety of ailments from stress to cancer. Panax ginseng continues to be used today for a multitude of disparate purposes.
About Panax Ginseng
Panax ginseng also goes by the names of red, Korean and Asian ginseng, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Panax ginseng is closely related to American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and shares the same active ingredients and properties, the UMMC says. The root of this plant isn't harvested for medicinal use until its six years of age. Traditional and modern-day use of panax ginseng is extended to improving mental performance and physical stamina, treating erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, low blood sugar, high blood pressure and symptoms of menopause, the NCCAM says. It's also used as an immune system booster for those recuperating from illness and disease and has other specific uses, such as diabetes, fertility, cancer and Alzheimer's disease, according to the UMMC.
Properties and Preparations
A complex array of constituents in panax ginseng are responsible for its effects in the human body, according to the University of Michigan Health System. The ginsenosides may relieve stress and affect mental and physical performance. Panax ginseng's panaxans are believed to lower blood sugar, and its polysaccharides may support the immune system. Panax ginseng is available in numerous preparations, the UMMC says, including liquid formulations, such as extracts, and dried preparations, such as capsules and tablets. The root of the plant can be boiled in water and distilled into a decoction. Because there is more than one variety of ginseng, the UMMC stresses the importance of reading labels closely before you purchase ginseng products.
Use
According to the University of Michigan Health System, standardized panax ginseng extracts typically include between 5 and 7 percent ginsenosides and are taken in smaller dosages between 200 and 500 milligrams daily. Nonstandardized extracts are generally taken in larger amounts between 1 and 4 grams a day if taking tablets and between 2 and 3 milligrams three times daily if taking a dried root tincture. The health system indicates that panax ginseng is usually used for no more than three weeks at a time,with a one- to two-week period of cessation before it is taken again.
Cautions
Unlike American ginseng, panax ginseng may have a stimulating effect and should not be given to children and used with caution when consuming caffeinated foods and beverages, the UMMC cautions. Avoid panax ginseng if you have bipolar disorder, a history of breast cancer or if you're pregnant or nursing. If you have high blood pressure, consult with your physician before taking panax ginseng. Ginseng may cause low blood sugar when taken without food. The UMMC states that panax ginseng may have the same effects as a blood thinner; don't take it at least seven days before a surgery.
Drug Interactions
Natural doesn't necessarily mean safe to use---some herbs can interact with certain medications. Panax ginseng should not be used with a variety of medications Consult with your doctor before taking panax ginseng if you're taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors; morphine; blood pressure medications; drugs to treat diabetes; heart and blood pressure medications; stimulants, including caffeine; and blood thinners---even aspirin.
Despite the numerous health benefits associated with panax ginseng, NCCAM points out that few clinical trials have been conducted on this herb. Of these, most were small or had design flaws. Always speak with your doctor before using panax ginseng or another natural remedy to address specific health concerns.
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