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Ginseng, known in many Asian countries as the king of all herbs, is
a knobby root light tan in color. Occasionally the center part of
the root is said to resemble the human body as string like shoots
stem off from the root and can be seen as arms and legs.
Due
to Korean ginseng's unique appearance, herb doctors who lived
centuries ago interpreted this perception to mean that ginseng was a
cure-all for the entirety of human illness; subsequently many
cultures do use ginseng to treat almost anything. Ginseng is also
used by the Chinese culture to not only cure nearly everything, but
also as a symbol of longevity, strength, and wisdom to its
users.
The ginseng plant is identified by its leaves that
form a circular pattern growing around its straight stem.
Yellowish-green flowers bloom in the center of the plant and produce
red berries from their umbrella-like blossoms. It is important to
note that the age of the plant can be identified by counting the
number of wrinkles around the plant’s neck, seeing as the ginseng
root is only ready for use once it has completed approximately 4-6
years of maturity. Panax ginseng, commonly known as adaptogen, is a
substance that offers some assistance in helping individuals who are
dealing with physical and/or emotional stress. Ginseng, the
traditional cure-all, has been said to relieve almost every ailment
from anxiety to cancer and panax, according to traditional Chinese
medicine. At present, several Asian countries are prescribing this
particular type of Ginseng as treatment for several illnesses,
including heart conditions and to enhance overall
health.
Studies of Western herbal medicine show that panax
ginseng’s ability to regulate the immune system has potential
advantages in effectively preventing colds, flu, and some forms of
cancer. Case studies show that panax ginseng proves effective in
lowering the sugar content in the blood and cholesterol levels.
Consequently, panax ginseng may prove beneficial when used in
connection with type 2 diabetes and those suffering from high
cholesterol. All potential uses of the ginseng root have not been
fully defined; however, in both laboratory studies of humans and
animals, panax ginseng proved successful in relaxing the muscles of
the lungs. By relaxing the muscles of the lungs that control the
airway, ginseng may be able to provide some relief for the symptoms
associated with asthma, constriction of the airways, and other lung
diseases. Further studies show that a combination of panax ginseng
and gingko may increase memory capacity and enhance the thinking
processes. However these are merely possible effects that are
undergoing more research at present.
Panax ginseng can be
given orally or topically. Direct application to the male genitalia
may prove beneficial in treating erectile dysfunction in men. One
large study involving the oral application of panax ginseng resulted
in the increase of sperm count, quality, and movement, ultimately
improving male fertility. An exact and thorough explanation for
panax ginseng’s ability to improve fertility in males has yet to be
determined. However, it is hypothesized that the chemical make up of
panax ginseng helps activate certain hormones in the body leading to
induced or increased production. This theory has led to the addition
of panax ginseng in popular sports drinks or supplements in an
attempt to increase athletic performance, despite the fact that no
substantial evidence has been given to supports this
use.
Ginseng supplements are mostly made from the ginseng
root’s long, thin offshoots called root hairs. The main chemical
ingredients in Asian ginseng are the ginsenosides (Rg1 as marker);
glycans (panaxans); polysaccharide fraction DPG-3-2; peptides;
maltol; and volatile oil.
Korean Ginseng Dosage
Recommendations
The suggested dose for Korean
ginseng is 1,000 to 2,000 mg of fresh root, 600 to 2,000 mg of dried
root, or 200 to 600 mg of liquid extract daily. If you are healthy
and are using ginseng to increase your physical or mental
performance, to prevent illness, or to improve resistance to stress,
you should take ginseng at the recommended dosage in cycles. For
example, take 1,000 to 2,000 mg fresh root, 600 to 2,000 mg dried
root, or 200 to 600 mg liquid extract daily for 15 to 20 days,
followed by two weeks without taking ginseng.
For help
recovering from an illness, the elderly should either take 500 mg
twice a day for three months and then stop or take 500 mg twice a
day for a month, followed by a two-month break. Repeat if
desired.
When taking ginseng, use only standardized products.
Standardization is the only way we have of assuring quality in
herbal products. Choose white or red ginseng, standardized to 1.5
percent ginsenosides, designated as Rg1.
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