Korean ginseng, also called Asian ginseng, is an herbal preparation made from the plant species Panax ginseng. Potential uses for this type of ginseng include improvement of mental reaction times and treatment of erectile dysfunction or diabetes. However, use of Korean ginseng is dangerous to the health of people with the uterine tissue disorder called endometriosis. Speak with your doctor before using any form of Korean ginseng.
Korean Ginseng
Korean ginseng comes from the root of P. ginseng, as well as root offshoots known as root hairs. In some cases, these materials are dried and peeled to create a preparation called white ginseng. In other cases, they are left unpeeled, then steamed and dried to create a preparation called red ginseng. Active ingredients in both of these preparations include substances called ginsenosides, as well as B vitamins, substances called glycans, a flavoring called maltol and substances called flavonoids. Available forms of white and red Korean ginseng include liquid extracts, capsules, powders, decoctions and root packed in water or water and alcohol.
Endometriosis Basics
Endometriosis is a condition characterized by abnormal growth of the endometrium, a lining that covers the interior of the uterus. Normally, the tissue in this lining is unique to the uterine interior. In people with endometriosis, however, endometrial tissue grows in other areas of the body, including the outside surface of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, ureters or the area behind the uterus, called the cul-de-sac. Endometrial tissue also sometimes grows on the lining called the peritoneum, which covers the interior surfaces of the abdomen and pelvis.
Endometriosis and Hormones
Within the uterus, endometrial tissue thickens and thins during different parts of the menstrual cycle in response to hormone fluctuations. Outside the uterus, endometrial tissue also responds to the influence of shifting hormone levels, and breaks down and triggers bleeding during active menstruation. Over time, this monthly process can lead to the development of a type of scar tissue called an adhesion. Potential symptoms of an endometrial adhesion include pain and the physical binding of the pelvic organs. Eventually, the presence of endometriosis can lead to significantly impaired fertility.
Korean Ginseng and Endometriosis
The ginsenosides in Korean ginseng can act on your body in ways that resemble the effects of estrogen. If you have endometriosis, these estrogenlike effects can potentially worsen your condition, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus. For this reason, anyone with endometriosis needs to strictly avoid taking Korean ginseng. Other hormone-sensitive conditions that also disqualify you from safe Korean ginseng use include uterine fibroids, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Consult your doctor for more information on endometriosis and Korean ginseng.
Member Comments