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Ginseng, Herbal Remedy to boost the immune system and improve stamina.
Ginseng - Ginseng (Asian):
Asian ginseng is native to China and Korea and has been used in
various systems of medicine for many centuries. Asian ginseng is one of several
types of true ginseng (another is American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius). An
herb called Siberian ginseng or eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticos
Common Names--Asian ginseng, ginseng,
Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng, Asiatic ginseng
Latin Name--Panax ginseng
- What Ginseng Is Used For -
Treatment claims for Asian ginseng are numerous and include the use of the
herb to support overall health and boost the immune system. Traditional and
modern uses of ginseng include:
- Improving the health of people
recovering from illness
- Increasing a sense of well-being
and stamina, and improving both mental and physical performance
- Treating erectile dysfunction,
hepatitis C, and symptoms related to menopause
- Lowering blood glucose and
controlling blood pressure
- Try our Herbal Remedy and Herbal
Medicine:
- How Ginseng Is Used
The root of Asian ginseng contains active chemical components called
ginsenosides (or panaxosides) that are thought to be responsible for the
herb's medicinal properties. The root is dried and used to make tablets or
capsules, extracts, and teas, as well as creams or other preparations for
external use.
- What the Science Says about
Ginseng
- Some studies have shown that Asian
ginseng may lower blood glucose. Other studies indicate possible beneficial
effects on immune function.
- To date, research results on Asian
ginseng are not conclusive enough to prove health claims associated with the
herb. Only a handful of large clinical trials on
- Asian ginseng have been conducted.
Most studies have been small or have had flaws in design and reporting. Some
claims for health benefits have been based only on studies conducted in
animals.
- NCCAM is supporting research
studies to better understand the use of Asian ginseng. NCCAM is studying how
Asian ginseng interacts with other herbs and drugs and exploring its
potential to treat chronic lung infection, impaired glucose tolerance, and
Alzheimer's disease.
- Side Effects and Cautions of
Ginseng
- When taken by mouth, ginseng is
usually well tolerated. Some sources suggest that its use be limited to 3
months because of concerns about the development of side effects.
- The most common side effects are
headaches and sleep and gastrointestinal problems.
- Ginseng can cause allergic
reactions.
- There have been reports of breast
tenderness, menstrual irregularities, and high blood pressure associated
with ginseng products, but these products' components were not analyzed, so
effects may have been due to another herb or drug in the product.
- Ginseng may lower levels of blood
sugar; this effect may be seen more in people with diabetes. Therefore,
people with diabetes should use extra caution with Asian ginseng, especially
if they are using medicines to lower blood sugar or taking other herbs, such
as bitter melon and fenugreek, that are also thought to lower blood sugar.
- It is important to inform
your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are
using, including Asian ginseng. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated
care.
What's an Herb? An herb is a plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential
therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and
roots. Herbal medicine products are dietary supplements that people take
to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time for claimed
health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and
fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems, some are not
effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time for claimed
health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and
fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems, some are not
effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
Dietary supplement is a
product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino
acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for
dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.
To use an herbal product as safely as
possible:
-
Consult your doctor first
-
Do not take a bigger dose than the label
recommends
-
Take it under the guidance of a trained
medical professional
-
Be especially cautious if you are pregnant or
nursing
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Why should I use herbal products?
The decision to use herbs to improve your
health is, as with all health decisions, a personal one. There are, however,
many good reasons to consider herbal products to complement your own
health care methods. One of the best reason, however, may be the fact that
herbs and herbal products, continue to provide real health benefits while
maintaining a remarkable safety profile. Readily available natural
substances were the first medicines used by humans. Primitive and ancient
civilizations as well as contemporary cultures throughout the world have
always relied on herbs to provide the benefits that have been observed with
their use. In fact, the World Health Organization has estimated that 80
percent of the world's population continues to use traditional therapies, a
major part of which are derived from plants, as their primary health care
tools. In our own time and culture, most herbs are available in the form of
"herbal supplements." These products are found in the form of teas, tablets,
capsules, liquid extracts, and others. We now have ready access to products
that bring the herbal traditions from all over the world in a variety of
convenient forms. In addition, scientific inquiries continue to develop our
knowledge of the benefits of plants, and often validate the observations
made over the past centuries.
Are herbs safe?
Plants that enjoy broad culinary and
therapeutic usage are generally safe. We can flavor our food with any number
of herbs to make a meal more flavorful. We can appreciate a delicious cup of
peppermint leaf or ginger root tea, or benefit from the soothing properties
of marshmallow root or the bark of slippery elm. We can take an herbal
supplement containing dandelion root or saw palmetto berries, or any number
of the other herbs. Although allergies and reactions have been recorded for
a few herbs that are widely used in foods and supplements, such individual
concerns are also seen with many foods, and do not diminish the safety
profile of the many herbs that are generally recognized as safe. On the
other hand, and as everyone knows, there are any number of plants that are
highly toxic, even deadly.
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