HEALTH BENEFITS PAGE

There are many herbs which are known as ginsengs but only two real ginseng species. Panax panax, which is native to Manchuria, cultivated in China and Korea, and, Panax quinquifolius, which is native to Eastern North America and cultivated in the U.S.A. and Canada. American ginseng was first used by native Indians.

According to traditional Chinese medicine the two ginsengs have very different herbal properties, Asian ginseng heats the body and American ginseng cools it. Traditional doctors commonly mix American ginseng with other herbs. It is seen to act as a carrier, in other words to assist in introducing the other medicines into the body. Especially in Southern China ginseng is taken as chicken soup. It is believe that the black skinned (silkie) chicken works best, and that in combination they work more effectively (synergism) The benefits discussed below will be based on Western medicine/science.

Western herbal doctors refer to ginseng as an “adaptogen”. They see ginseng as having an ability to push the body back into balance. If some factor is too high it lowers, or alternatively, if too low it raises.

With the advent of 1,000’s of scientific studies Western medicine has increasingly recognized the myriad health benefits from American Ginseng. Even the American Medical Association recognizes its effectiveness in treating Type II diabetes. So far over 30 active ingredients have been identified and examined.

MAIN BENEFITS ARE

• Treatment of Type II diabetes- results from research at the University of Toronto show an average 36% decrease in blood sugar in diabetics 20 minutes after ingesting ginseng.
• Increased ability to cope with stress. One specific active ingredient, rf1, has been identified, isolated, and clinical trials done to demonstrate the effect.
• Improved ability to concentrate, improved short term memory. Promising research done at the University of Alberta with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
• Boosts immune system- clinical trials show an 85-90% decrease in the frequency of colds and flus.
• Increased endurance and stamina- people commonly refer to increased energy, however, ginseng is not a stimulant and works to make the body work more efficiently, i.e. increases the permeability of the cell membrane to oxygen exchange. Regular use of ginseng generally results in improved and more restful sleep.

HOW TO USE GINSENG

Most of the clinical trials used ginseng powder in gel capsules with daily doses of between 1.5 to 3.0 grams per day. Ginseng can literally be combined with anything that you eat or drink, cooked or uncooked. Most Chinese households from Southern Chinas made ginseng chicken soup, while in Northern China, tea or ginseng steamed with chicken was more common. However, since the SARS epidemic the consumption of ginseng has shifted towards most people using pills or capsules.