Re: Ginseng

Posted By: Tami
Date: 10/2/2001

In Response To: Ginseng (margie)

Ginseng powder and tincture both should be used very carefully and in small amounts. It is always a good idea to check with your doctor before adding any kind of supplement to your daily regimen to be sure it will not interact with any current medications or medical conditions.
Like most herbs, ginseng works best when combined with other herbs, and is often used as a catalyst to improve the effects of other herbs.
Below is an excerpt on ginseng taken directly from "The Herbal Writings of Dr. John R. Christopher" he explains far more clearly than I could the special differences between the different types of ginseng and the best ways to use it.

GINSENG
We have all heard of the wonderful herb, ginseng, It has been used by the Chinese for over five thousand years. In orthodox medical circles, it is respected and known as an adaptogen. The ginseng root is known as Panax Ginseng in the Orient, and Panax Quinquefolium in North America. The root was highly prized and even thought of as magic or sacred because it resembled a human figure. Ginseng is a perennial. Each year the top of the plant dies while the root continues to grow. The age of the root can be determined by the number of rings that can be counted on the neck of the root. Ginseng should not be collected before it is seven years old. In fact wild ginseng has all but disappeared from the known forest sites. In North America, it has become an endangered plant and should not be taken from public lands. Those plants taken from private property should be harvested only after the plant has gone to seed to insure future propagation of the species. The wild plants are more potent than the cultivated variety of ginseng because the plant selects its own site. Because the wild ginseng has been so exploited people began to cultivate it. The ginseng roots grow well in a woodland environment. They have grown in this country from the Midwest as far South as Arkansas, and as far North as Canada. There is evidence in the archaeological record that the Native Americans used ginseng. Sites in the Midwest dating from the time of Christ have yielded ginseng seeds. During the last century, wild ginseng discoveries in North America drove enterprising capitalists to ship thousands of pounds of ginseng to the Orient thus depleting precious supplies at home. The American variety was often treated, or powdered, capsulated and sold back to us as Oriental ginseng. It still is to this day, only we now send over the cultivated variety. In Korea, they have eaten up most of the wild ginseng so that when a plant is found in the wild, a ginseng agent (who is usually a farmer) is called upon to stand guard over the plant until it can be documented and photographed by the government.

There is one variety of ginseng the white-colored root. The reference to Chinese red ginseng is the white variety which has been processed by boiling it in water to which cinnamon has been added. The roots turn a rust hue and then are bound and dried. This is why they often have a square shape. When purchasing ginseng roots, always make certain that they are at least seven years old. It is best to obtain the roots in their whole form rather than powdered capsules. It is very easy to adulterate ginseng. Because the ginseng powder is white, it can be cut with any kind of cheap starch such as rice or wheat. Only a microscopic analysis can detect the purity of powdered ginseng. The starch grains in ginseng are much smaller than those of wheat or rice.

Ginseng has been used as a tonic, and has a reputation for being a root for long life. Many of the Ancient Chinese Emperors have paid their own weights in gold just to possess a root which was very old and would insure longevity themselves as well.

Stories and legends have been collected from the Orient concerning the amazing properties of ginseng. People on their deathbeds have been given a strong dose of a good quality root in order to prolong their lives a little longer so that distant relatives could travel from afar to bid them farewell or to extend their life so that they could finish speaking their last wishes to the family and bestow their blessings on the survivors. Youthful brothers who have ventured into the forest to seek their fortunes would often see the spirit of the ginseng if their hearts were pure. One young man was able to return home and save his dying mother by having the "Ginseng Boy" accompany him home, give tea to the mother, and disappear within the hour after the mother had completely recovered. There are many forest shrines in the uncharted territories of China and Manchuria which were built just to honor the spirit of the ginseng root. In some circles, the ginseng root is called 'The Root of Heaven.' There is a splendid volume of folklore of the ginseng root known as "Tales of the Ginseng". It gives the flavor and nuances of this venerable root. We cite it in the bibliography.

As could be expected, the standard medical opinion of the day in this country could not see the benefits of ginseng root only because their hands are tied by the large drug concerns and they are not free to experiment with botanicals or they condemn ginseng as a folk remedy without even looking at it. It is very true that ginseng is in use extensively in the hospitals in China.

Dr. Christopher was aware of the potency of the ginseng. He recommended only the smallest (a No. 5) capsule twice a week Most people's system are not accustomed to any more than this much. When ginseng tea is made, use a teaspoon or less of the roots to a cup of distilled water. It is beneficial to soak the root overnight because it is so hard when it is dry.

A tincture of ginseng root made with 80 proof grain alcohol (such as vodka) is a great way to prepare ginseng root because to be a tonic stimulant, diuretic and carminative (anti-gas) herb.

In a 1966 report by A. Baranov in Economic Botany, it is stated that an American publication, Textbook of Pharmacognosy, by H. W. Youngken, shows only "one effective substance, glycoside panaquilon. But according to modern Soviet and Chinese sources, ginseng contains, besides panaquilon the following active principles: ginsenin, panaxic, panacen, and panaxin. Each of these has a specific effect on the human body. Panaxin stimulates (the) brain and acts as a tonic for the cardiovascular system. Panaxic acid affects metabolism and acts as an aid to the heart and blood vessels. Panaquilon stimulates endocrine secretion and raises the amount of hormones in the blood. Panacen kills pain and tranquilizes the central nervous system (cerebral hemispheres and medulla oblongata). Ginsenin is an anti- diabetic substance."

Recent scientific studies in China and the USSR have shown ginseng to be effective against a variety of stress: high environmental temperature, hemorrhagic shock, and histamine shock. In experiments with rats, ginseng helped lessen the amount of ascorbic acid lost from the adrenal glands. Ginseng root was also found to be an adrenal cortex stimulant. Two Russian researchers found that ginseng would aid an organism in adapting to stress by helping the adrenal cortex to become more efficient. Edema (retention of water) swelling is reduced through the administration of ginseng root. Ginseng root increases circulation by making the heart muscle contractions stronger during circulatory failure.

One source says that our of 54 random samples of commercial ginseng preparations, 60% were not what they claimed to be and 25% contained no ginseng. Be sure that you deal with a reputable firm when buying ginseng powder and always try to obtain the roots.

The Herb Finder does not carry Ginseng as a single herb, but it is used in many of our formulas. I hope this has been helpful to you.

Messages In This Thread

Ginseng -- margie -- 9/30/2001

Re: Ginseng -- Tami -- 10/2/2001

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