“Ginseng”
Used in China for over 5,000 years, Ginseng was known to 9th century Arab physicians. Marco Polo wrote of this prized wonder drug and, when a delegation from the King of Siam visited Louis XIV, they presented him with the root of gents-aem. From then on, Ginseng was used by wealthy Europeans for exhaustion and debility.
Botanical Name: Panax ginseng
Common name: Ginseng, korean ginseng
Family: Araliaceae
Parts Used: Root
Active Constituents:
- Ginsenosides
- Saponins
- Polysaccharides
- Amino acids: glutamine, argentine
- Sesquiterpenes
Qualities:
Hot, masculine, restores chi (Holmes)
“This, with the Chinese, is the medicine par excellence, the last resort when all other drugs fail…” – G. Stuart, 1911
Actions:
- Adaptogenic
- Tonic
- Immune modulating
- Cardiotonic
- Male tonic
- Cancer preventative
- Antioxidant
- Cognition enhancing
Indications:
- Improves performance under stress
- Improves mental and physical performance
- Fatigue, debility, convalescence, surgery recovery
- Cancer prevention
- In conjunction with chemotherapy / radiation therapy
- Poor immune function
- CFS
- Congestive ♥ failure, arrhythmia, angina, heart attacks
- Raises HDL cholesterol
- Poor sperm count / erectile dysfunction / poor sperm function
- A tonic for older adults
- Poor memory (+menopause)
- NIDDM, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia
- Depression
- Inhibits withdrawal symptoms of morphine
- Korean Ginseng is shown to protect the pancreas from necrotic and fibrotic changes in animal models of pancreatitis.
Traditional prescribing
• Prophylactic and restorative agent for enhancement of mental and physical capacities in cases of weakness, tiredness, exhaustion, loss of concentration and during convalescence (Blumenthal, 2000)
• Traditionally used only for men*
**NOTE: It is often best to take P.ginseng for ONE MONTH in autumn to strengthen the body for winter. If taking regularly, have a break of at least 2-3 weeks every two months**
Contraindications:
- Acute asthma,
- Signs of heat
- Excessive menstruation
- Nose bleeds
- Hypertension
- Acute infections
- Pregnancy (Blumenthal but not Bone)
Cautions:
- Avoid concurrent use with stimulants such as caffeine and amphetamines
- Overstimulation may occur in susceptible patients (esp higher doses)
- Ginseng abuse syndrome – hypertension with nervousness, euphoria, insomnia, skin eruptions and morning diarrhoea – from interaction with glucocorticoid production
Dosage:
1-2 g root per day for up to 3 months (Comm E)
FE 1:2 1-6 ml per day or 7-40 ml per week
Combinations:
- With Gingko to improve memory
- For asthma and chronic coughs – combine with Walnut & Ginger (Ody)
OTHER USES:
- DECOCTION: Take 3-10g in 500ml water as a general ‘yang tonic’
POINTS OF NOTE:
- Predominantly an adaptogen, panax is a restorative agent for enhancing mental and physical capacities in cases of weakness, tiredness, exhaustion, loss of concentration and during convalescence (Blumenthal)
- Avoid concurrent use with stimulants such as caffeine and amphetamines
- Immune modulating and cancer preventative is chemoprotective as well as anti tumour
- A cardiotonic, panax is anti-hypertensive anti platelet and antihyperlipidaemic
- An immunomodulator, panax enhances natural killer cell function
- Used in male erectile dysfunction, panax is also indicated in menopausal symptoms including fatigue, insomnia and depression
Reference & Links to Articles:
Materia Medica 