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What does American Ginseng do?

American Ginseng has had little research conducted to date on its benefits. However, since its active ingredients are similar to those of Oriental ginseng, it is thought to have similar healing characteristics as well. In traditional Chinese medicine it is considered more cooling or soothing than Red Panax Ginseng, This characteristic may make it a better therapeutic ginseng type for those under the age of 50 or of a type "A" personality. It is used primarily for increased mental efficiency, stamina and for boosting the immune system and immune system responses.. It is used to help relieve adverse effects of stress and fatigue. It has been considered especially helpful to the immune system in cases of fevers or infectious disease accompanied with a fever. It is also used in China to support the lungs and in the treatment of coughs and coughs accompanied with blood It can be taken as a capsule, pill, tea, tincture or the whole root chewed.

Should my health care professional be advised before I take American Ginseng?

As American Ginseng and Asian Ginseng have similar constituents it may be that concerns associated with one may also be inherent to the other. As there is little data available on American Ginseng it is advisable to review the concerns associated with Asian Ginseng usage (see Panax Ginseng ) Traditionally in Chinese medicine it has been advised to avoid American Ginseng usage if: The person is taking Rhizoma et Radix Veratri (Li Lu) In cases of damp/cold of the stomach.

Are there other times my health care professional needs to be advised before I take American Ginseng?

They should be consulted first if you are: Pregnant or trying to get pregnant Breast-feeding You plan to administer this herb to a child.

How should I take this herb?

Take American Ginseng capsules or tablets by mouth. Swallow the capsules with a large drink of water. For the best bioavailability and if you have a sensitive stomach, it is often recommended that you take Ginseng as a tincture, infusion, tea or the raw herb. You can take Ginseng with or without food.

What should the dosage be?

Lengths of administration are usually based on the severity of the symptoms and the type of problem. If Ginseng is being used over a long period of time then short breaks from Ginseng usage should be included in the therapy. These breaks in usage are usually 2-3 weeks in length. Low dosages are usually 0.5-1.0 grams/day - and High dosages:3.0-4.5 grams/day with the average dosage for ginseng usage being 1 to 2 grams a day. The following consists of common average recommended dosages for ginseng usage: Tablets, Pills, Capsules: Equivalent to 1-2 grams root/day or 100 mg, 200 or 400 mg/day of standardized ginseng extract (standardized to Saponin or Ginsenoside content - usually 7%) where 100 mg of the preparation is equivalent to 500 mg ginseng root. Chewed: 1-2 grams root/day - may be boiled gently and for a short time to soften it up before chewing Tea/Infusion : 1-2 gram root/day or 0.5 tbsp comminuted drug to one cup boiling water up to 4x /day. Or make a tea by simmering 2 ounces of fresh ginseng in four cups of water for 2 hours- drink one cup 2-4x day. Tincture/Liquid Extract: 5 milliliters in one cup after meals - equivalent to 1-2 grams/day

What other medicines may interact with American Ginseng?

Information on the interaction of drugs with the intake of American Ginseng is relatively unknown, however it is advisable to follow the same guidelines as those associated with Panax Ginseng.

What side effects may I notice from taking American Ginseng?

Information on side effects associated with the intake of American Ginseng is relatively unknown, therefore it is advisable to read the information available on Panax Ginseng. Ginseng Abuse Syndrome - the cases reported on Ginseng abuse syndrome are controversial due to the possibility the ginseng consumed had adulterants, that the ginseng types are unknown including how they were processed, and that the reports may not have been verified. The following are the side effects reported for this Syndrome: Intoxication induced by Ginseng causing: Mild irritability Edema Prutititus Depression Vertigo Palpitations Intoxication Hyperpyrexia Side effects (considered rare) that usually do not require medical attention (stop usage and report it to your health care professional if they are continuing or bothersome): Diarrhea Headaches Insomnia Irritability Nausea Nervousness Rash Restlessness Vomiting

What do I need to watch out for with American Ginseng?

Ginseng may be toxic in very large quantities (Ginseng Abuse Syndrome) and/or with intake over a long period of time. Usage of stimulants may be contraindicated if a patient has cardiovascular disease and is taking Ginseng. Read labels carefully before purchasing . A concern when purchasing any Ginseng product is the continued practice of substitution. Labels should be checked for clear identification of the plant genus utilized. Still even if the correct genus is listed absence of the constituent ginsenosides and mixing of herbs should be all cause for care when purchasing. Buying the raw herb or a standardized product may reduce the possibility of this occurrence. Look also for products that are clearly labeled with the ingredients contained and amounts. If you see a product labeled as "American Red" or "Red American Ginseng" : An herb called Rumex hymenosepalus is often sold under this label. :This is not of the same genus as American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)! It is not related to any of the Panex species of Ginseng and does not contain the same constituents. It may in fact act as a laxative.

Where can I keep my herbal product?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). The raw herb, tinctures or infusions should be stored in airtight, dry, and light resistant containers. Care should be taken in the storage of the roots, as p.o. storage (needs to be kept cool and dry) and age is thought to degrade the ginsenoside content available. If there is an expiration date listed on the herbal product, throw away the unused portion after the expiration date. Raw herbs, tinctures, ointments, etc all have varying life spans. Generally, an herbal product will have the longest life span when it has been extracted in alcohol.

Can you tell me a little more about American Ginseng?

American Ginseng is indigenous to North America. It grows primarily in the Eastern United States and Canada in sub-canopy deciduous forest. It has a long history of use by both Native American people and in China where it has been exported for over a 100 years. Today, it is a very common herb sold around the world and its popularity is growing. It is a smooth herbaceous perennial belonging to the ivy family Araliaceae. It has a large, fleshy, and very slow-growing root resembling a carrot which usually grows to 2 to 3 inches in length 1/2 to 1 inch in thickness. It is spindle shaped and annulated with a round summit. The color is pale yellow to brown. It's erect stem grows to over 1 foot and usually has three leaves divided by 5 leaflets and a singular terminal umbel. It produces bight red pea sized berries in clusters. Roots are usually harvested in the fall. When purchasing this herb, price is often determined by the length of time the herb was allowed to grow before harvesting. This effects the cost not only of the root but also of any of the processed herbal tonics or capsules. To cultivate good quality ginseng it is believed that maintenance of the soil, shade and other environmental conditions need careful attention and that roots should be allowed to mature for up to 5 years or longer and be harvested at the correct time of year. Roots that have been allowed to mature are thought to have stronger therapeutic qualities: therefore with each year in the ground the price tends to increase. It is maintained by some (with supporting studies) that young roots have not had the time to develop the properties Ginseng is renown for and therefore the benefits of its usage would be significantly less. Due to overharvesting in the wild, this herb is endangered in many places. Most products sold today come from cultivated ginseng stock.

What are the actions that have been associated with the herb?

Panax Ginseng is considered an adaptogen. This means it is purported to regulate the metabolism to be normalized and balanced. It is also categorized as an. immunostimulator with the ability to stimulate immune responses. It is reported to improve blood lipid levels and act as a panacea and anti-oxidant.. Traditionally, in Chinese medicine it is thought to act as a restorative and be effective in the treatment of Kidney-Yang, Kidney-Qi and Kidney-Yin deficiencies.

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