GINSENG

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GINSENG
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Panax ginseng

• Comes from the family Araliaceae
• Angiosperm
• 13 species of Panax are considered to be ginseng
• Considered to be a cure-all
• Found in Asia and North America
• Two important species P. ginseng (Asian) and P.
  quinquefolius (American)

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More General Facts

• Root is the medicinal part of the plant
• Root can live for 100 years
• Can be taken in form of tea or as a tonic,
  stimulant, adaptogen
• Number of users estimated in the millions
  growing annually

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History of Ginseng

• Most famous Asian herb
• Has been in medicinal use of thousands of years
• Materia Medica
• Folklores Mythology
• Native American culture
• Early 18th Century
• Father Jartous- Jesuit missionary in China
• 19th Century

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Physical Description

• Smooth perennial herb
• Large, fleshy, slow-growing root
• Spindle shaped heavily annulated
• Color ranges from pale yellow to a brownish color
• Stem is simple, bearing three leaves
• A few small, yellowish flowers
• Fruit is a cluster of red berries

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Ancient Uses

• Charms
• Love potions
• Ensure sexual potency
• Guard health
• Prolong life relieve pain
• Strengthening mental powers
• Eye wash ear aches
• Stopped bleeding enhanced healing
• Frighten away ghosts
• Believed to be substitute for Mandrake when used
  in spells

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Has Been Known To Work As A

• Adaptogen
• Antidote
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-tumor agent
• Anti-diabetic
• Cardio-tonic
• Demulcent

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And Also As A

• Hypoglycemic
• Immuno-stimulant
• Panacea
• Stimulant
• Stomachic
• Thymoleptic
• Tonic

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Current Uses

• Blood Conditions
• Brain Nervous system
• Cardiovascular
• Immune system
• Gastrointestinal
• Genitourinary
• Glandular
• Inflammatory
• Respiratory tract
• Aphrodisiac
• Menstruation
• Others

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Blood Conditions

• Blood diseases
• Hemorrhages

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Brain Nervous System

• Stress
• Drug Alcohol Abuse
• Depression
• Enhances memory
• Concentration cognitive abilities
• Physical mental activity
• Insomnia
• Alzheimers disease
• Stimulates CNS

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Cardiovascular

• Aids in prevention of CV disease
• Cures pulmonary complaints
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Heart attack heart failure
• Increases blood circulation
• Regulates blood pressure
• Palpitations
• Long term debility neurosis
• May raise HDL levels lower total cholesterol
• Regulates basal metabolic rate
• May decrease endothelial cell dysfunction

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Immune System

• Stimulates the immune system
• Improves resistance to infection
• Increases natural cell killer activity
• Increases resistance to stress disease

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Gastrointestinal

• Stimulates appetite

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Genitourinary

• Increases production of body fluids
• Removes more waste products

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Glandular Conditions

• Benefits the endocrine system
• Pituitary glands
• Adrenal glands

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Inflammatory

• Feverish inflammatory illnesses
• Works well when combined with licorice

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Respiratory Tract

• Asthma
• Colds
• Cough
• Dyspnea
• Various chest problems
• Improved respiratory functions in severe chronic
  respiratory diseases
• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema

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Male Female Conditions

• Enhances blood flow
• May increase sperm count and motility

• Eases childbirth
• Increases estrogen levels
• Normalizes menstruation
• Menopause
• Balances hormones
• Improves mood
• Regulates hot flashes
• Rejuvenates the system

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Others

• Aids recovery from disease or surgery
• Boosts energy levels
• May reduce risk of certain cancers
• Diabetes
• Dissolves tumors
• Helps in sugar fat metabolism

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And Even More Uses

• Minimizes effects of radiation chemotherapy
• Relieves fatigue/Increases endurance
• Maintains excellent body functions
• Normalizes functioning
• Aphrodisiac
• Periodontal disease

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Chemistry

• Contains 25 triterpenoid saponin glycosides
• Ginsenosides (Ro, Ra, Rb, etc.)
• Also contains
• Flavonoids
• Glycans
• Peptides
• Vitamins A B6
• Volatile oils
• Sugars
• Lipids
• Phenolic substances

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Chemistry Continued

• Red white ginseng
• Red Asian ginseng contains greater amounts of
  Rg2, Rg3, Rh1
• Different species vary in composition of saponins
• American ginseng does not contain Ra, Rf, Rh1,
  Rh2
• Most dominant ginsenosides are malonyl-Rb1, Rb1,
  and Re

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Mode of Action

• Many compounds found in ginseng are bioreactive
• Ginsenosides Rg2 Rg3 block nicotinic
  acetylcholine GABA receptors. This inhibits
  the effect of secretion of catecholamines
• Panaxynol Ro, Rg1, and Rg2 act as antiplatelet
  agents
• Panaxynol inhibits the aggregation, release
  reaction, and thromboxane formation in platelets
• Ginsenosides suppress the release action
• Ginsenosides activate lipoprotein lipase which
  results in a decrease of triglycerides
  cholesterol
• Protects against oxidative DNA protein damage
  caused by free radicals

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Action Continued

• Induces production of interferon
• Enhances killer cell antibody-dependent
  cytotoxic activities
• Stimulates cell-mediated immunity, providing
  anti-viral effects
• Ginsenosides act on the adrenal glands

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Side Effects

• GINSENG IS A STIMULANT!!
• Hypertension
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Decreased sexual function
• Euphoria
• Headaches
• Menstrual abnormalities
• Palpitations
• Skin eruptions
• Tremors

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Should NOT Be Used If You Have

• Acute asthma
• Acute infections
• Hypertension

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Or If You Take

• Caffeine or other CNS stimulants
• Morphine
• Haloperidol
• MAO inhibitors
• Blood thinning medication
• Aspirin
• Warfarin

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Clinical Studies

• Sorenson Sonne
• Type 2 diabetic study
• Anti-influenza study
• Numerous other studies ranging from physical
  performanc enhancement to anticarcinogenic
  activities