Korean
ginseng is very powerful. Korean ginseng comes in red and
white form.The herb,korean ginseng is one of the most widely
used and acclaimed herbs in the world. Korean ginseng scientific
name is Panax ginseng, which is the species from which Chinese
ginseng, Korean ginseng (red, and white ginseng) are produced.
Chinese and Korean ginseng are the same plant cultivated
in different regions, and have slightly different properties
according to Chinese medicine. White ginseng is simply the
dried or powdered root of Korean ginseng, while red ginseng
is the same root (korean ginseng) that is steamed and dried
in heat or sunlight. Red korean ginseng is said to be slightly
stronger and more stimulating in the body than white korean
ginseng, according to Chinese herbalism.
Korean ginseng has had a long and illustrious
history as an herb for health, and has been used for thousands
of years throughout the Orient as a medicine and tonic.
Early Chinese medicine texts written in the first century
A.D. mention ginseng, and ginseng has long been classified
by Chinese medicine as a "superior" herb. This
means it is said to promote longevity and vitality. Legends
around the world have touted ginseng as an aphrodisiac
and sexual tonic. Researchers have found a slight connection
between sex drive and consuming ginseng, although a direct
link and the mechanism of action are still researched
and disputed.
Korean ginseng grows on moist, shaded
mountainsides in China, Korea, and Russia. It is a perennial
herb that reaches heights of two or more feet, and is
distinguished by its dark green leaves and red clusters
of berries. The root of the plant is the part valued for
its medicinal properties. The root is long and slender
and sometimes resembles the shape of the human body. Asian
legends claim that this "man-root" has magical
powers for those lucky enough to afford or find it, and
the roots bearing the closest resemblance to the human
body are still the most valuable ones. The word ren shen
in Chinese means roughly "the essence of the earth
in the shape of a man."
Korean ginseng has historically been
one of the most expensive of herbs, as it has been highly
in demand in China and the Far East for centuries. Wars
have been fought in Asia over lands where it grew wild.
Wild Korean ginseng is now nearly extinct from many regions.
Single roots of wild plants have recently been auctioned
in China and New York City for sums approaching $50,000.
Most of the world's supply of Korean ginseng is cultivated
by farmers in Korea and China.
Both American and Siberian ginseng are
considered by Chinese herbalists to be different herbs
than Korean ginseng, and are said to have different effects
and healing properties in the body. To add more confusion,
there are eight herbs in Chinese medicine which are sometimes
called ginseng, including black ginseng, purple ginseng,
and prince's ginseng, some of which are not at all botanically
related to Panax ginseng, so consumers should choose ginseng
products with awareness.
General use
The word panax is formed from Greek roots meaning "cure-all,"
and Panax ginseng has long been considered to be one of
the great healing and strengthening herbs in natural medicine.
Ginseng is classified as an adaptogen, which is a substance
that helps the body adapt to stress and balance itself
without causing major side effects. Korean ginseng is
used as a tonic for improving overall health and stamina,
and Chinese herbalists particularly recommend it for the
ill, weak, or elderly. Korean ginseng has long been asserted
to have longevity, anti-senility, and memory improvement
effects in the aged population. As it helps the body to
adapt to stress, athletes may use ginseng as herbal support
during rigorous training. Korean ginseng generally increases
physical and mental energy. It is a good tonic for the
adrenal glands, and is used by those suffering from exhaustion,
burnout, or debilitation from chronic illness.
Traditional Chinese medicine also prescribes
Korean ginseng to treat diabetes, and research has shown
that it enhances the release of insulin from the pancreas
and lowers blood sugar levels. Korean ginseng has been
demonstrated to lower blood cholesterol levels. It has
also been shown to have antioxidant effects and to increase
immune system activity, which makes it a good herbal support
for those suffering from cancer and AIDS and other chronic
conditions that impair the immune system. Further uses
of Korean ginseng in Chinese medicine include treatment
of impotence, asthma, and digestive weakness.
Research
Scientists have isolated what they believe are the primary
active ingredients in ginseng, chemicals termed saponin
triterpenoid glycosides, or commonly called ginsenocides.
There are nearly 30 ginsenocides in Korean ginseng. Much
research on Korean ginseng has been conducted in China,
but controlled human experiments with it have not been
easily accessible to the English-speaking world. Recent
research in China was summarized by Dr. C. Lui in the
February 1992 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology,
where he wrote that Panax ginseng was found to contain
28 ginsenocides that "act on the central nervous
system, cardiovascular system and endocrine secretion,
promote immune function, and have effects on anti-aging
and relieving stress."
To summarize other research, Korean ginseng has been shown
in studies to have significant effects for the following.
· Physical improvement and performance enhancement
for athletes: A study performed over three years in Germany
showed athletes given ginseng had favorable improvement
in several categories over a control group who took a
placebo. Another 1982 study showed that athletes given
ginseng had improved oxygen intake and faster recovery
time than those given placebos.
· Mental performance improvement and mood enhancement:
In general, studies show that ginseng enhances mental
performance, learning time, and memory. One study of sixteen
volunteers showed improvement on a wide variety of mental
tests, including mathematics. Another study showed that
those performing intricate and mentally demanding tasks
improved performance when given Korean ginseng. Finally,
a study has shown improvement of mood in depression sufferers
with the use of ginseng.
· Antifatigue and antistress actions: Patients
with chronic fatigue who were given ginseng showed a statistically
significant improvement in physical tests and in mental
attention and concentration, when compared with those
given placebos.
· Lowering blood sugar: Animal studies have shown
that ginseng can facilitate the release of insulin from
the pancreas and increase the number of insulin receptors
in the body.
· Antioxidant properties: Scientific analysis of
ginseng has shown that it has antioxidant effects, similar
to the effects of vitamins A, C, and E. Thus, ginseng
could be beneficial in combating the negative effects
of pollution, radiation, and aging.
· Cholesterol reduction: Some studies have shown
that Korean ginseng reduces total cholesterol and increases
levels of good cholesterol in the body.
· Anticancer effects and immune system stimulation:
Several tests have shown that Korean ginseng increases
immune cell activity in the body, including the activity
of T-cells and lymphocytes, which are instrumental in
fighting cancer and other immune system disorders like
AIDS. A Korean study indicates that taking ginseng may
reduce the chances of getting cancer, as a survey of more
than 1,800 patients in a hospital in Seoul showed that
those who did not have cancer were more likely to have
taken ginseng regularly than those patients who had contracted
cancer.
· Physical and mental improvement in the elderly:
One study showed significant improvement in an elderly
test group in visual and auditory reaction time and cardiopulmonary
function when given controlled amounts of Korean ginseng.
Korean ginseng has also been shown to alleviate symptoms
of menopause.
· Impotence: Studies of human sexual function and
Korean ginseng have been generally inconclusive, despite
the wide acclaim of ginseng as a sexual tonic. Tests with
lab animals and ginseng have shown some interesting results,
indicating that Korean ginseng promotes the growth of
male reproductive organs, increases sperm and testosterone
levels, and increases sexual activity in laboratory animals.
In general, scientists believe the link between ginseng
and sex drive is due to ginseng's effect of strengthening
overall health and balancing the hormonal system.
Preparations
Korean ginseng can be purchased as whole roots, powder,
liquid extracts, and tea. Roots should be sliced and boiled
in water for up to 45 minutes to extract all the beneficial
nutrients. One to five grams of dry root is the recommended
amount for one serving of tea. Herbalists recommend that
ginseng not be boiled in metal pots, to protect its antioxidant
properties. Ginseng should be taken between meals for
best assimilation.
Precautions
Consumers should be aware of the different kinds of ginseng,
and which type is best suited for them. Red Korean ginseng
is considered stronger and more stimulating than white,
wild ginseng is stronger than cultivated, and Korean ginseng
is generally believed to be slightly stronger than Chinese.
Furthermore, American and Siberian ginseng have slightly
different properties than Korean ginseng, and consumers
should make an informed choice as to which herb is best
suited for them. Chinese herbalists do not recommend Korean
ginseng for those people who have "heat" disorders
in their bodies, such as ulcers, high blood pressure,
tension headaches, and symptoms associated with high stress
levels. Korean ginseng is generally not recommended for
those with symptoms of nervousness, mental imbalance,
inflammation, or fever. Korean ginseng is not recommended
for pregnant or lactating women, and women of childbearing
age should use ginseng sparingly, as some studies imply
that it can influence estrogen levels. Also, Chinese herbalists
typically only prescribe ginseng to older people or the
weak, as they believe that younger and stronger people
do not benefit as much from it and ginseng is "wasted
on the young."
Further Reading
For Your Information
Books
· Duke, J.A. Ginseng: A Concise Handbook. Algonac,
MI: Reference Publications, 1989.
· Foster, S. and Chongxi, Y. Herbal Emissaries.
Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992.
· Fulder, Stephan. The Book of Ginseng and Other
Chinese Herbs for Vitality. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts
Press, 1993.
· Hobbs, Christopher. Ginseng: The Energy Herb.
Loveland, CO: Botanica Press, 1996.
Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Gale Group,
2001
