Facts About The Ginseng Plant

Ginseng is an herbal supplement that has been part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Practitioners of Western medicine began using ginseng in the 1950s, and today ginseng is one of most popular supplements in the United States. Although often combined with other herbs in supplement preparations, ginseng alone may offer several health benefits.

Types

Ginseng includes several species of true ginseng plants belonging to the Panax genus. Asian ginseng and American ginseng are closely related and are the two most common species renowned for their value in Chinese medicine. Siberian ginseng does not contain the active ingredients found in Asian and American ginseng plants and is, therefore, not a true ginseng, despite its marketing as a cheap ginseng alternative.

Cultivation

Asian and American ginseng plants grow both in the wild and as cultivated crops. According to MayoClinic.com, wild Asian ginseng is nearly extinct, although farmers in China, Korea and Japan still cultivate it. American ginseng grows wild in the mountains of the southern United States and in parts of Canada's eastern provinces. American and Canadian farmers also cultivate ginseng. Both Asian and American ginseng plants grow best in cool, shady areas with well-drained soil.

Characteristics

A ginseng plant, whether Asian or American, consists of a straight stem topped by a circle of leaves, with yellow flowers and red berries. The root of the ginseng plant contains medicinally active compounds called ginsenosides that are similar to steroid hormones. Wild ginseng roots are usually forked, with a long neck showing concentric growth rings, and they are gnarled and dark tan. The roots of cultivated ginseng plants are larger and fatter than wild ones, not forked, and lighter in color with a smooth appearance. The Virginia Cooperative Extension of Virginia Tech University states that many herbalists believe wild ginseng roots to be more potent and, therefore, more valuable than cultivated ginseng roots.

Medicinal Uses

Asian ginseng root may boost your immune system, provide beneficial antioxidant effects to your cardiovascular system and improve your mental performance in areas of memory and concentration, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. It may also increase fertility, libido and physical performance and provide a greater sense of well-being. American ginseng root may help lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics and may improve your immune system function. The American Cancer Society reports that study subjects who took a ginseng supplement appeared to have an overall lower incidence of cancer.

Precautions

Although few side effects occur with ginseng at recommended doses--100 to 200 mg of extract or 500 to 2000 mg of dried root daily--the herb may cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals, cautions MayoClinic.com. Ginseng may raise or lower your blood pressure, so consult with your health care provider prior to consuming ginseng if you have high or low blood pressure. Because the ginsenosides in ginseng root resemble steroid hormones, avoid ginseng supplements if you suffer from any hormone-related conditions. Additionally, refrain from supplementing with ginseng products if you have any bleeding disorders, because ginseng may exacerbate your condition.