Ginseng is an adaptogen. Adaptogens help the body fight the effects
of just about any kind of stress, be it viral, bacterial, emotional,
or physical. The effects of stress may be as simple as headaches or
colds, but they can also be more serious such as accelerated aging,
memory loss, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.
Asians
consider ginseng to be the king of all herbs. American ginseng is
similar enough to Asian ginseng to chemically have the same effects.
American ginseng root is light tan and looks a bit like a human
body. Herbalists hundreds of years ago took this likeness to mean
that ginseng could cure all human ills. It has been used as a
cure-all by many different cultures.
American ginseng
contains ginsenosides, which are thought to fight fatigue and stress
by supporting the adrenal glands and the use of oxygen by exercising
muscles. The type and ratio of ginsenosides are somewhat different
in American and Asian ginseng. The extent to which this affects
their medicinal properties is unclear. A recent preliminary trial
with healthy volunteers found no benefit in exercise performance
after one week of taking American ginseng.
Standardized
extracts of American ginseng, unlike Asian ginseng, are not
available. However, dried root powder, 1-3 grams per day in capsule
or tablet form, can be used. Some herbalists also recommend 3-5 ml
of tincture three times per day.
Possible
Interactions
Because ginseng demonstrates
blood-thinning effects, it should not be combined with anticoagulant
drugs which would include drugs such as Coumadin, or with
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are known to cause
bleeding. Such drugs would include Aleve, Anaprox, Indocin, Motrin,
Naprosyn, and Orudis. When taking ginseng with insulin or other
diabetes drugs be very cautious. It has been reported that the
combination could lead to an excessive drop in blood sugar
levels.
While we do not know of any serious side interactions
there have been reports of headache, mania and mild tremors when
Ginseng is taken with the antidepressant drug Nardil. Check with
your doctor before combining Ginseng with any other
drug.
Supporting Literature
Shibata
S, Tanaka O, Shoji J, Saito H. Chemistry and pharmacology of Panax.
Econ Med Plant Res 1:218–83.
Foster S. Herbs for Health.
Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1996, 48–9.
