| Most Common Name: | Ginseng | | Botanical
Name: | Panax Ginseng | | Also
Known As (other names): | Chinese Ginseng, Korean Ginseng,
Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) |
Native to Asia and mainland China. Ginseng collected from the wild in Korea
is regarded as the best in Asia but this is exceptionally expensive, sometimes
fetching hundreds of dollars for a single root. Ginseng has been regarded
as a cure for almost anything for several thousand years. It was widely used by
Chinese, Japanese and Koreans for as long back as they have history. There
are many varieties of this herb which are used as different remedies in Asia.
Chinese, Japanese and Korean Ginseng are probably the more common but subspecies
are found in America, Japan, Himalaya, San-Chi, Siberian (better known as
Eleuthero or Eluthero) and many other varieties. It is
unlikely that Ginseng will cure everything but it is becoming accepted as a very
significant herb in the West too.
Ginseng
Use for/In treatment of: | | Nervous
tonic | Blood circulation | Stamina |
| Concentration | | |
Ginseng
Properties: | | Sedative | Tonic |
Stimulent | | Adaptogen | | |
Ginseng
Constituents: | | Below we list
reported constituents of this herb. This may not be complete as continuous
research constantly discovers new constituents. Where possible we also provide
information about constituents and their application, effect and side effects,
if any. We do not provide information on the interaction between constituents.
We do not give quantities of each individual constituent as these vary
considerably due to region and climate. By comparing the treatments above with
the constituent benefits below some indication of quantities can be gained. | |
Saponins: Wound healing, anti-scarring. Saponins occur as
glycosides with aglycone structures that are steroidal or terpenoid. Saponins can cause the
destruction of red blood cells if injected causing anaemia or worse. Ingested
saponins are poorly absorbed in the digestive system reducing the risk of
poisoning but care must be taken on dosage as Saponins are mucus membrane
irritants.
Many herbs containing saponins have been identified as
"adaptogens" also referred to as harmony remedies (see: The Root of
being: Ginseng and the Pharmacology of Harmony - Stephen Fulder 1980).
Instead of being purely remedial herbs these adaptogens improves and energizes
vitality and resistance thereby keeping ailments at bay. It is claimed that
these adaptogens can improve mental functions like learning speed, awareness and
alertness as well as help with emotional and intellectual stress. As a tonic
they will also reduce the risk of infections by stimulating the immune system. Saponins are also expectorant, anti-inflammatory,
hepaprotective, combats cholesterol build up and antifungal. |
Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides (Glycans) are polymers that are
made up as sugar chains. Polysaccharides making up the gums and mucilages, occur
in every plant. Polysaccharides are virtually indigestible and therefore
have little or no effect if ingested. Polysaccharides are mostly inert and the
majority are not soluble in water or organic solvents. Most gums will absorb
water to the point where they become a sticky gel.
|
Mucilages and Gums (Polysaccharides): Widely
present in the plant kingdom these substances are hydrophilic, being able to
attract and bind with a volume of water that far exceeds the mass of the gum or
mucilage. Apart from their propensity to attract
water, Mucilages and Gums are virtually inert and also almost fully indigestible.
Generally the small amount of digestion that happens extracts very little sugar and no
noteworthy pharmacological effect. Because of
this neutrality and indigestibility their value if ingested is that they are
demulcent - which means that they coat and protect the lining of the gastric
tract, if applied externally they are emollient - which means that they coat and
protect the skin. |
| | | |
Administered
as: | | Mostly the fresh raw root | Powdered
root | Decoction |
Constituents
(i.e. what has been reported to be in this herb): | | Ginsengosides | Glycans | A
Volatile oil | |
* Statements made
have not been evaluated by American Food and Drug Authority or similar board
or authority of any other country.
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