Ginseng

What is Ginseng?

For centuries, ginseng has been used as an energy tonic by the Chinese, who continue to use it for this purpose even today. In the western world, ginseng is being studied for a number of purposes, from treating stress to increasing levels of alertness and mental clarity.

Many studies have shown that ginseng can boost mood, improve memory, increase concentration and physical endurance, ease anxiety, and even improve test scores. Ginseng’s ability to improve mental function seems to increase when this herb is given in combination with ginkgo.

Ginseng is also an immune system booster and natural detoxifier. It helps keep the liver, adrenal glands, and thyroid healthy, may help prevent illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer.

Ginseng is thought to be an adaptive, meaning that it adapts itself as necessary to treat imbalances in the body. It has been shown to help balance blood pressure, blood sugar, triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and hormones in both men and women.

One of the most recent uses of Ginseng is its use as a libido enhancer. Ginseng is particularly helpful to men experiencing fertility or erectile dysfunction; it increases testosterone levels and blood flow to the penis.

Women who are in the early stages of menopause and experiencing hot flashes may also benefit from ginseng supplementation, because ginseng has been found to stimulate the ovaries to produce more oestrogen.

In short, the uses of Ginseng are many and more research is still being done on this super herb.

Side Effects and Warnings of Ginseng

The first complaint that those who use Ginseng have is that it has an unpleasant taste.

The most common side effects of using Ginseng are nervousness and excitability that usually decrease after the first few days. The ability to concentrate may be decreased, and blood sugar may decrease to abnormally low levels.

Because ginseng has an oestrogen-like effect, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take it. Occasionally, there have been reports of more serious side effects, such as asthma attacks, increased blood pressure, palpitations, and, in postmenopausal women, uterine bleeding.

There have been reports that Asian ginseng may possibly decrease the effectiveness of the blood-thinning medication. Those using Warfarin or Aspirin need to seek their doctor’s advice before they take any Ginseng based supplements.

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