Skip to main content

Ginseng: for Health and Strength

In North America and Asia, ginseng was traditionally used for treating a variety of illnesses. In Chinese medicine, ginseng was more frequently used for general preventive purposes.

Whereas ginseng was formerly supposed to be confined to Chinese Tartary, it is now is known to be also a native of North America ( species Panax quinquefolium after the five-leaf formation common to the species), and was used by the native North Americans. Chinese Ginseng is a larger plant, but presents practically the same appearance and habits of growth.

Asian ginseng, which includes Korean, Manchurian, Vietnamese and Chinese ginseng, is considered to be very "yang", or warm, and is often used for relatively limited periods of time. It contains roughly half the number of active ginsenocides found in American ginseng, which is considered to be cooler, or more "yin", and better suited for long term usage. For this reason American ginseng has become very prized in Asia, and most American ginseng is imported to Asian markets. Siberian ginseng is different again and is described separately here.

Used regularly, Ginseng can regulate the menstrual cycle, improve hormone balance and tone the uterus to improve the ability of the foetus to implant after conception.

Ginseng may help the body deal with physically and mentally stressful exposures such as heat, cold, physical exhaustion, viruses, bacteria, chemicals, extreme working conditions, noise, and pollution. By strengthening the system, it may also help prevent illness.

The anti-stress effect seems to derive from its antioxidant and steroid metabolism activity on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal endocrine function. It improves adaptation to diminished blood flow to the brain. Ginseng also produces an increase of amine nerve transmitter substances in the brain and adrenal gland

Recent research has clinically demonstrated that regular use of ginseng will help to increase physical and mental performance, withstand stress and boost immune functioning. Ginseng has been approved by medical authorities in Germany as an invigorating tonic for fatigue and to protect against and recover from illness. Research has largely supported the use of Ginseng to maintain health and strengthen the system rather than to treat particular disorders.

Ginseng should be used only after consultation with your health care professional if you are suffering from high or low blood pressure, fever, cancer, diabetes, heart problems or allergies.

Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels. Diabetics must monitor blood levels carefully while using this product. Also, care should be exercised if taken in conjunction with Ginger (in large doses), Diamana or Fenugreek which also effect blood sugar levels. Consult your licensed naturopath if in doubt.

Some authorities have suggested that medicinal quantities of panax ginseng may increase the effects of synthetic hormones in susceptible women, e.g. women taking HRT or the contraceptive pill.

Ginseng can also increase the stimulant effects of caffeine (as in coffee, tea, and cola).

Ginseng is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

It is unknown if this product is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended.

by Ian Finlayson
Don't forget to visit my HEALTH SHOP

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Does Exercise Really Keep Us Healthy?

Exercise has long been touted as the panacea for everything that ails you. For better health, simply walk for 20 or 30 minutes a day, boosters say — and you don’t even have to do it all at once. Count a few minutes here and a few there, and just add them up. Or wear a pedometer and keep track of your steps. However you manage it, you will lose weight, get your blood pressure under control and reduce your risk of osteoporosis . If only it were so simple. While exercise has undeniable benefits, many, if not most, of its powers have been oversold. Sure, it can be fun. It can make you feel energized. And it may lift your mood. But before you turn to a fitness program as the solution to your particular health or weight concern, consider what science has found. Moderate exercise, such as walking, can reduce the risk of diabetes in obese and sedentary people whose blood sugar is starting to rise. That outcome was shown in a large federal study in which participants were randomly assigned ...

5 Steps to Optimal Health

5-step plan to optimal health By Murray Middlemost The first step a program is Healthy Nutrition and there are ten basic rules: 1. Never skip a meal again (keep the calorie burning furnace burning) 2. Eat real, unprocessed foods (if man made it do not eat it) 3. Eat balanced meals (protein, fat, and carbs in every meal) 4. Choose a protein as the main nutrient in your meal 5. Add some healthy fats (avocado, nuts, seeds, cold water fish, and olive oil) 6. Add real carbohydrates (whole grains) 7. Add non-starchy vegetables (green and brightly coloured) 8. Eat snacks (keep the calorie burning furnace burning) 9. Eat solid food (fiber) 10.Drink enough water(body weight x .7 = no. of ounces to drink) The second step of the program is Stress Management: 1. Make downtime a daily practice (you are important) 2. Put your life in perspective (don’t sweat the small stuff) 3. Keep track of stress signals (heart rate increase, blood pressure, anxiety, yelling) 4...

สุขภาพเป็นเรื่องผ่อนคลาย

วิธีปฏิบัติเพื่อลดความเครียดมีมากมาย หลายคนอาจเคยใช้ เช่น การเล่นดนตรี การฟังเพลง วาดรูป ปลูกต้นไม้ หรือออกกำลังกาย เหล่านี้เป็นวิธีการที่ไม่เจาะจง สามารถเลือกใช้ได้เมื่อเผชิญกับความเครียดไม่รุนแรง ส่วนวิธีที่จะนำเสนอต่อไปนี้ นับเป็นวิธีการเฉพาะในการลดความเครียดในทางวิชาการ ซึ่งสามารถลดความเครียดได้ ขึ้นอยู่กับว่าใครใช้ได้ผลมากน้อยแค่ไหน เมื่อเครียด กล้ามเนื้อส่วนต่างๆ ของร่างกายจะหดเกร็งและจิตใจจะวุ่นวายสับสน ดังนั้น เทคนิคการผ่อนคลายความเครียดส่วนใหญ่จึงเน้นการผ่อนคลายกล้ามเนื้อ และการทำจิตใจให้สงบเป็นหลัก ซึ่งวิธีที่จะนำเสนอในที่นี้ จะเป็นวิธีง่ายๆ สามารถทำได้ด้วยตัวเอง มี 8 วิธีดังนี้ 1. การฝึกเกร็งและคลายกล้ามเนื้อ 2. การฝึกการหายใจ 3. การทำสมาธิเบื้องต้น 4. การใช้เทคนิคความเงียบ 5. การใช้จินตนาการ 6. การทำงานศิลปะ 7. การใช้เสียงเพลง 8. การใช้เทปเสียงคลายเครียดด้วยตัวเอง ขอให้คุณลองอ่านวิธีทั้งหมดอย่างคร่าวๆ ดูก่อน หากชอบวิธีไหนเป็นพิเศษจึงค่อยอ่านโดยละเอียด และนำไปฝึกฝนด้วยความตั้งใจต่อไป ในการฝึกครั้งแรกๆ ใจอาจจะยังคอยพะวงอยู่กับขั้นตอนการฝึกจนรู้สึกว่าควา...