The History of Ginseng

It is also used to reduce the effects of stress, improve performance, boost energy levels, enhance memory, and stimulate the immune system. Oriental medicine has deemed ginseng a necessary element in all their best prescriptions, and regards it as prevention and a cure. It is said to remove both mental and bodily fatigue, cure pulmonary complaints, dissolve tumors and reduce the effects of age.

Native North Americans considered it one of their most sacred herbs and add it to many herbal formulas to make them more potent. The roots can live for over 100 years.

Classification

What Is Ginseng?

What Is American Ginseng?

There are two main kinds of Ginseng: American and Asian. American Ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, grows wild in the eastern half of North America. It is a perennial herb that inhabits hardwood forests on well-drained, north-and east-facing slopes in predominantly porous, humus-rich soils. American ginseng also grows on southwest-facing slopes, in soil where sand or clay is characteristic, and in forests with conifers and softwoods, but most wild populations thrive in upland, north-and east-facing woods where shade and loam soils are typical. American Ginseng is not considered as the same herb as Asian Ginseng because of its differences actions in the curative use.  American Ginseng is an adaptogenic tonic and is cool and calming in nature, which is in contrast to Asian Ginseng.   American Ginseng is considered to generate fluids and is said to clear the inner heat of body.  It's a good choice for otherwise healthy people with overheated conditions brought on by stress, excessive caffeine intake, or over stimulation, as is typical of many Americans.

Varieties of Ginseng:

There is only one species of American ginseng, but it is divided into three major categories-wild, wild-simulated or woods grown, and cultivated.

Wild ginseng is found in mountainous hardwood forests and is difficult to hunt.     Wild ginseng roots found in their natural environment are usually 10 to 30 years old.  Roots over 20 are rare, 30-40 year old roots scarce and roots over 50 years old are even rarer and are extremely precious. The stem of wild ginseng has deep, thin wrinkles, and is light in weight and texture.  The roots are generally more knurled, exhibit noticeable growth rings on the root, and the age can be verified by counting the nicks or grooves on the neck.  The older the age of the roots, the higher it's medicinal quality. The wild root also contains more ginsenosides and nutrients at higher concentration levels.  In wild ginseng, up to 23 major ginsenosides can be found. Among the three varieties of American ginseng, the wild is the most potent and in effect, the most highly-priced. American ginseng roots contain 3 to 4 times as many ginsenosides as Asian ginseng. Because of its cool and calming properties, the long-term usage of American ginseng is not harmful.

American woods grown ginseng is grown in the forest from seeds of the wild or transplanted saplings. The woods grown ginseng is competed with the trees and rocks for nutrients and space just like the wild. This and little or no fertilization gives the roots shape, character, and the deep growth rings very similar to wild ginseng. Although ginseng matures to seed bearing plants by the fourth year, most woods grown wild simulated ginseng is never harvested before six years.  The quality of woods grown is between wild and cultivated ginseng. Therefore, it is sometimes called semi-wild ginseng. Woods grown ginseng can be identified as having fewer wrinkles on the stem than the wild.  It is the most popular variety in the market for general health care.

Artificially cultivated ginseng is usually harvested after three or four years. It is grown mostly in Wisconsin and Canada on farms and gardens under artificial shade that far from its native habitat. It is usually heavily fertilized to promote rapid growth, and subjected to massive doses of fungicides and pesticides. The roots are very easy to tell from wild and wild simulated-varieties being smoother with only two or three concave on the stem, elongated and seldom 'man like', and straw colored. Cultivated ginseng does not have the medicinal properties that the wild and woods grown do. In cultivated ginseng, researchers can only identify up to 10 ginsenosides, while in the wild up to 23 ginsenosides.  The greatest problem associated with intensely cultivated ginseng is disease control. Any disease outbreaks severely threaten ginseng under intense cultivation because the plants are so close together that the disease can quickly spread through the entire bed. This intense fungus disease pressure forces artificial shade growers to use a vigorous spray schedule to prevent losses. Many ginseng consumers worldwide have become concerned about these fungicide applications. Ginseng is a medicinal herb taken to improve a person's health. The presence of pesticide residues on the roots or within the roots, in the case of systemic fungicides, is a severe drawback.

Active Ingredients

 What Are the Active Ingredients in American Ginseng Root?

Approximately 29 ginsenosides, known by their scientific name "tripterpenoid saponins" and sometimes called panaxosides, have been identified in American ginseng root, such as -Ro, -RAo, -Ra1, -Ra2, -Ra3, -Rb1, -Rb2, -Rb3, -Rc, -Rd, -Re, -Rg1, -Rg2, -Rg3, -Rh1, -Rh2 etc. Some of the medical benefits of the ginsenosides include calcium channel blocker functions, prevention of memory loss, anti-tumor activity, anti-coagulant activity, psychotropic activity, ability to lower cholesterol levels, the promotion of immune system functions, anti-inflammatory effects, a regulator of blood sugar levels, and invaluable in helping the body adapt to and recover from the effects of stress, disease, and fatigue. And other nutritive elements including polysaccharide, amino acid, volatile oil, fatty acid, vitamins are fund in American ginseng as well.

The scientific researches have shown that about 5-10% of ginsenosides is found in American ginseng root, which is more than other kinds from around the world.  American ginseng root contains 3 to 4 times as many ginsenosides as Asian ginseng. There are more than 10 different groups of ginsenosides in wild American not found in other varieties.  American Ginseng root fiber contains much higher Rg2 and Rg3 concentrations than Chinese or Korean Ginseng.

Functions of Ginseng

1. ADHD: Study suggests that American ginseng, in combination with ginkgo, may prove to be of value in helping to treat ADHD.
2. Alcohol Intoxication: Ginseng speeds up metabolism (break down) of alcohol and, thus, allowing it to clear more quickly from the body.
3. Alzheimer's Disease: Individual reports and animal studies indicate that American ginseng may slow the progression of Alzheimer's and improve memory and behavior.
4. Cancer: Regular intake of ginseng may reduce one's chances of getting various types of cancer, especially lung, liver, stomach, pancreatic and ovarian. However, a test tube study suggests that American ginseng may enhance the effects of medications used to treat breast cancer. And, preliminary results suggest that ginseng may improve treatment of colon cancer in animals.
5. Cancer Treatment: Ginseng is an effective adaptogen and can protect the body from the stress of drug and radiation therapy. The stress normally caused by therapies can lead to secondary growths of cancer. Studies have shown that patients taking ginseng daily could better cope with anti-cancer drugs and therapies.
6. Cardiovascular Health: Ginseng may decrease endothelial cell dysfunction. Endothelial cells line the inside of blood vessels. When these cells are disturbed, referred to as dysfunction, they can cause blockage of blood flow in a variety of ways. This disturbance or disruption may even lead to heart attack or stroke. The potential for ginseng to quiet down the blood vessels may prove to be protective against heart and other forms of cardiovascular disease.

Ginseng may also raise HDL (the good cholesterol), while reducing total cholesterol levels.
There is speculation that ginseng may help improve blood pressure. Ginseng is   generally considered to be a substance to avoid if you have hypertension because       it can raise blood pressure.  Some feel that the usual doses of ginseng may       increase blood pressure while high doses may have the opposite effect of decreasing blood pressure.

1. Depression: Because of its ability to help resist or reduce stress, some herbal specialists may consider ginseng as part of the treatment for depression.
2. Diabetes: American ginsengs appear to lower blood sugar (glucose) levels, American ginseng has been the more studied in scientific trials. One study found that people with type 2 (adult onset) diabetes who took American ginseng before or together with a high sugar load experienced less of a rise in blood glucose levels after they consumed all of that sugar.
3. Fertility / Sexual Performance / Aphrodisiac: Ginseng is widely believed to be capable of enhancing sexual performance. In animal studies, ginseng has increased sperm production, sexual activity, and sexual performance. A study of 46 men has also shown an increase in sperm count as well as motility.
4. Immune System Enhancement: Ginseng is believed to enhance the immune system, and helps the body fight off infection and disease. In one study, in fact, giving people ginseng before getting the flu-vaccine did boost their immune response to the vaccine compared to those who received a placebo.
5. Menopausal Symptoms: Ginseng may have estrogen-like activity. Two well-designed studies suggest that this herb may relieve some of the symptoms of menopause, improving mood (particularly feelings of depression) and sense of well-being.
6. Mental Performance and Mood Enhancement: Research shows that ginseng may improve performance on such things as mental arithmetic, concentration, memory, and alertness.
7. Physical Endurance: Some studies indicate increased strength and endurance; others improved agility or reaction time.
8. Respiratory Disease: Severe chronic respiratory disease (such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis), daily treatment with ginseng improved respiratory function, increasing simple tasks like walking.
9. Stress A study of 501 men and women living in Mexico City found significant improvements in quality of life measures (energy, sleep, sex life, personal satisfaction, well-being) in those taking ginseng.
10. Sports Performance: ginseng has proven to regulate the basal metabolic rat and increase the breakdown and metabolism of food.  Improved metabolism can increase energy level and remove more waste products in the body.    Studies have shown that the athletes were using oxygen much more efficiently after taking ginseng. They were also able to return to normal physiologic conditions much quicker. In addition, ginseng is reducing stress to the entire body system and has a positive effect on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

Scientific Studies

 The ginsenoside Rb1 has been shown to prevent memory loss in rats caused by a cholinergic agent. Rb1 has been shown to facilitate the release of acetylcholine from hippocampal slices. This causes an increased uptake of choline to the nerve endings helping to prevent memory loss.

1. Anti-tumor polyacetylenes derived from the callus of ginseng have been shown to inhibit the growth of several cancerous cell lines. C17-polyacetylenes and C14-polyacetylene have been isolated from P. quinquefolium (American ginseng). These polyacetylenes all showed some degree of cytotoxicity against leukemia cells. However, the C17-polyacetylenes were shown to be approximately 20 times more effective than the C14-polyacetylenes in their activity against leukemia cells.
2. The ginsenoside Rg2 strongly inhibits platelet aggregation caused by three aggregating agents: endotoxin, collagen, and arachidonic acid.
3. Crude ginseng saponins and Rb1 isolated from ginseng have been shown to have psychotropic effects in mice. The Rb1 and the crude ginseng saponins were shown to be able to decrease antagonistic behavior in mice. Their effects on behavior occurred in a dose dependent manner.
4. Rg1 has shown mild CNS (Central Nervous System) stimulant activity and anti-fatigue action.
5. The purified ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Re, and Rg1 all appear to have hypocholesterolenic properties.
6. Laboratory animals as well as humans that are consuming ginseng have been found easily to adapt dark and light, handle high and low temperatures, and perform work more efficiently, as well as adapt to a wide range of stresses more effectively.
7. A series laboratory experiments conducted by Dr. Laura L. Murphy, an associate professor of physiology at the School of Medicine at Southern Illinois University showed that American wild ginseng:
8. Enhanced libido significantly, yet found no changes in male sex hormones.
9. Inhibited human breast and prostate cancer cells; the higher the concentration of ginseng, the more it slowed down the rate of cell proliferation.  "It doesn't kill the cells, but you can raise the dose to completely inhibit proliferation.  It arrests the cell in a certain state of development."
10. They also discovered that the tumors in the treated mice with a water extract of   American ginseng were 50 percent smaller than those in the untreated mice.
11. Researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto have found that taking American ginseng before a meal reduces blood sugar in people both with and without diabetes. The study appears in the April 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, a publication of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
12. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, 20-week trial involving 28 male athletes between 20 and 30 years of age, a daily dose of 200 mg standardized ginseng extract increased performance significantly by increasing the oxygen transport capacity of the heart and shortening reaction time to visual stimuli.
13. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, two-week trial, 12 student nurses working night shifts experienced improvements in mood, feelings of fatigue, and performance after taking unstandardized ginseng extract at a daily dose of 1200 mg per day.
14. A study comparing groups of people over time suggests that regular intake of ginseng may reduce one's chances of getting various types of cancer, especially lung, liver, stomach, pancreatic and ovarian.

 Directions to use ginseng roots 

1. For maintaining good health: 5-6 grams, 2 times a week; take a 7 day break after 4 week of use
2. For doctor’s prescriptions: 6-10 grams, 2-4 times a week
3. For serious illnesses: 8-12 grams, or consult a health physician

 How to Prepare Ginseng Roots for Use:

1. American Ginseng Root Chips & Slices
   Slices are an easy and convenient way to take ginseng. They can be chewed as candy; or put 10 to 20 pieces in a cup and fill with boiling water to use as a tea; refill two or three times with hot water as needed, and eat the ginseng afterwards.
2. American Ginseng Root Tea
   Place three to four medium size roots in 10 to 12 cups water, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove roots and keep in refrigerator as they can be brewed a second time. Store the leftover tea in the refrigerator. Chop up the roots and eat after the second brewing or add them to a favorite salad or casserole.