Ginseng

Ginseng root is a popular medicinal product from which tinctures and extracts are made in capsules. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng is believed to cure almost all diseases. Modern research largely confirms the beneficial properties that Asian traditional medicine attributes to this plant. Ginseng simultaneously gives strength and calms frayed nerves. It is useful for deteriorating potency in men and other age-related disorders. It is recommended to be used for recovery after serious illnesses.

Ginseng stimulates the immune system, improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and is useful for cancer prevention. In the countries of the former USSR, the fashion for this plant appeared in 1986 after the Chernobyl disaster. Because it protects against radiation and other manifestations of unfavorable environmental conditions. It is not known how much ginseng improves endurance in athletes; research results are conflicting. But this plant is definitely useful for people who do mental work. Its extract increases concentration and learning ability.

Ginseng: instructions for use

Useful properties of ginseng

Ginseng has many beneficial properties for human health. It increases resistance to physical and mental stress, gives energy, stimulates the immune system, reduces the risk of cancer, and lowers blood sugar in diabetic patients. Ginseng root is especially beneficial for men. It may help women with menopausal symptoms. The medicinal properties of this plant are discussed in detail below.

You should know that there are several varieties of ginseng. Panax ginseng is an Asian ginseng, also known as Korean and Chinese. Considered the most effective. It is grown in Japan and China for domestic consumption and for export. There is also an American variant, Panax quinquefolius. Traditional Chinese medicine considers it less effective. Although there have been no modern studies comparing ginseng varieties. Finally, Eleutherococcus senticosus is the Eleutherococcus plant, sometimes called Siberian ginseng. This is not real ginseng. Eleutherococcus preparations act in a completely different way.

Panax is a Latin word that means panacea, a cure for all diseases. In folk medicine of Asian countries, ginseng has been and remains the most popular remedy. However, modern people treat it with reasonable skepticism. In order for the root of this plant to acquire its medicinal properties, it must be grown not for one year, but for at least 2-3 years, preferably 5-6 years. Few people are really capable of this. Moreover, practically no one controls the quality of additives. The market for health products containing ginseng is filled with quack drugs. The only thing left to do is rely on consumer reviews, of which there are many published on the Internet.

Energy source

Ginseng is called an adaptogen. This plant increases the body's resistance to various types of physical and mental stress, adds energy and, possibly, prolongs life. Typically, participants in studies of the effectiveness of ginseng for increasing energy fill out questionnaires. Scientists also monitor their results in physical and mental exercises. This allows you to obtain more or less objective information.

Adrenaline and other hormones produced by the adrenal glands are responsible for energy. The brain contains glands that make the adrenal glands work - the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. First, the chemical signal goes from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, and from there to the adrenal glands. Ginseng extract stimulates this entire complex chain and improves its functioning.

In the 1970s, the results of experiments by Soviet scientists were published. Soldiers who took ginseng tincture improved their performance in a 3 km race. Radio operators conveyed information more accurately and made fewer mistakes. Laboratory mice that were given this herbal remedy swam further than those that were fed as usual. Since then, dozens more studies have been conducted with the same positive results.

Ginseng increases not only physical but also mental performance. The downside to this is the side effects. Insomnia, overexcitation, anxiety, euphoria, a jump in blood pressure, and nosebleeds may occur. Despite this, ginseng is a safer stimulant than energy drinks. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.

Immune stimulation

Ginseng stimulates the immune system - increases the number of protective cells in the blood, making them more active in destroying microbes and cancerous tumors. A study was conducted on 323 people to find out if this plant helps against colds. Half of the participants took ginseng extract in capsules at 400 mg per day for 4 months, the other half took a placebo. Among people who took this supplement, there were almost 4 times fewer cases of colds.

Another study tested what would happen if red ginseng was given along with a flu shot. 227 volunteers were divided into two equal groups. Half of them took real ginseng, the other half took a placebo. After 4 weeks, all participants received a flu shot. After this, they continued taking the herbal extract or placebo for another 8 weeks. Those who took real ginseng had significantly more antibodies to the influenza virus in their blood than those in the placebo group. The frequency of colds in the ginseng group decreased by 3 times.

In fact, ginseng has complex, combined effects on the immune system. Therefore, it is not recommended to prescribe it in the acute stage of infectious diseases, but only after the patient has recovered. Sometimes chronic fatigue is caused by a virus that suppresses the immune system. In such cases, ginseng can help. It is likely that the extract of this plant slows down the weakening of the immune system in AIDS patients. But this issue requires additional research.

Read about plants that boost immunity:

Oncological diseases

Regular consumption of ginseng is believed to reduce the risk of cancer. Moreover, ginseng extract helps better than pieces of fresh plant, juice or tea. Many types of cancer are less common in Asian countries than in the West. One of the reasons explaining this may be the frequent use of ginseng by the population. It is not known in what doses these plants should be taken in order for the cancer prevention effect to be optimal. It is not possible to obtain reliable information. Research spanning several decades would be required.

Perhaps ginseng should be taken by cancer patients in addition to the main therapy. This plant can block the growth of cancerous tumors in various ways, and most importantly, it reduces the side effects of chemotherapy. At the Mayo Clinic, cancer patients were given ginseng or a placebo for 8 weeks in addition to standard treatment. Patients who took the real herbal product rather than the dummy had 20% less fatigue and better quality of life than those in the placebo group. The Mayo Clinic is a respected American medical institution that generally frowns on alternative medicine.

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Ginseng for men

Ginseng is a beneficial remedy for men if you are lucky enough to find good quality supplements. This plant helps against impotence and male infertility. In addition to unfavorable age-related changes, the cause of impotence and male infertility can be diabetes and poor environmental conditions. Ginseng inhibits the development of diabetes and also protects the liver from toxins coming from the environment. The results of studies proving that this plant helps with erectile dysfunction have been published in reputable journals on urology and andrology.

See for example the article “Study of the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in the treatment of erectile dysfunction” in the Asian Journal of Andrology, March 2007. The study participants were 60 men who admitted to the doctor that they had problems with potency. They were divided into two groups. Half took Korean red ginseng 1000 mg 3 times a day, the other half took placebo. In the group of patients who took the real herbal extract, 20 out of 30 people (66%) confirmed that their potency improved. There were no changes in the placebo group. Ginseng improved potency in men, but did not affect their levels of testosterone, prolactin and cholesterol in the blood.

Potency can be negatively affected by chronic fatigue or anxiety caused by stress. Herbal preparations partially solve these problems. They simultaneously increase energy and calm nerves. Ginseng increases the number, motility and vitality of sperm. Therefore, it is advisable to prescribe it to men with infertility, along with other herbs and supplements. This is confirmed by articles published in reputable medical journals, and not just works on alternative medicine. Also take zinc supplements. It is an essential mineral for sperm production and the prevention of prostate diseases.

To improve potency, first of all, you should try the original drugs Viagra, Levitra or Cialis, which are sold in pharmacies, and secondly, ginseng. Find a qualified urologist and consult with him. Ask your doctor if you need to increase testosterone in your blood and, if so, how to do it. Do not take testosterone-boosting medications on your own initiative. Do not use any potency supplements sold in sex shops - they are deadly.

For women

Traditional Chinese Medicine does not recommend ginseng for women because this plant enhances the male yang energy in the body, while the female energy is called yin. However, many modern women take ginseng. They are satisfied with the effect that this supplement has on their body. The stimulant herbal remedy increases energy, and does it better than caffeine. The energy this root provides is similar to the energy you feel after a good night's sleep and a healthy meal. It is believed that ginseng rejuvenates the body and stimulates libido not only in men, but also in women.

A study was conducted on 384 women to see if ginseng helped with menopausal symptoms. Half of the participants took real herbal extract, the other half took placebo capsules that looked the same. The frequency of hot flashes and blood hormone levels did not differ between groups of women. But the participants who took real ginseng noted that their mood improved and they had more energy. This plant is not recommended for women suffering from hypertension to prevent blood pressure from rising even more. Occasionally, ginseng causes severe pain in the mammary glands in women.

Diabetes mellitus

As a rule, ginseng slightly lowers blood sugar in diabetic patients, but the effect is very weak. Some studies have shown that this plant, on the contrary, increases sugar. For diabetes, ginseng can be taken to increase tissue sensitivity to insulin, slow down the development of vascular complications, and also for the general strengthening effect that this plant has. But don't expect it to significantly improve your blood test results for plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin.

In 2008, the results of a study were published in which 19 patients with type 2 diabetes took part. All of them had their disease well controlled before the start of the trial—they had glycated hemoglobin no higher than 6.5%. Half of the participants took ginseng extract 3 times a day, the other half took a placebo. After 12 weeks, those who took the real herbal preparation had lower fasting morning blood insulin levels and less of a rise in blood sugar after meals and glucose loading. At the same time, glycated hemoglobin levels did not improve.

In diabetic patients, ginseng reduces cortisol levels in the blood. Perhaps this increases tissue sensitivity to insulin. Diabetics who suffer from hypertension need to be careful with ginseng preparations because they increase blood pressure. Study the article ““. Taking control of type 2 and even type 1 diabetes is easier than you think. This can be done without a “starvation” diet and harmful pills. If you have type 2 diabetes, you do not need to inject insulin.

Cardiovascular diseases

Ginseng contains many antioxidants. These are substances that protect blood vessels from damage by free radicals. It is assumed that taking antioxidants inhibits the development of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other health problems that are considered age-related. There have been no objective studies of the effect of ginseng on the course of cardiovascular diseases. This plant cannot be considered the first choice medicine for coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, and heart failure.

It is possible that in higher doses, ginseng lowers blood pressure, but so far this is nothing more than rumors. As a rule, in normal dosages this plant increases blood pressure by stimulating the production of adrenaline by the adrenal glands. Hypertension is a common side effect of taking this drug. If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, your blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg. Art. or higher - do not take ginseng without your doctor's approval. Keep in mind that a sudden increase in blood pressure may be a side effect. Keep fast-acting hypertension medications on hand.

Treatment of cardiovascular diseases:

Conclusions

The article provides objective information on how beneficial ginseng can be. There is enough data confirming the effectiveness of this remedy for increasing energy, strengthening the immune system, preventing cancer, improving male potency and solving other health problems. Because ginseng is a potent drug, it may cause side effects. They are listed in detail above, as well as contraindications. Be prudent and do not exceed the recommended dosage indicated on the drug packaging.

Unfortunately, ginseng root needs to be grown not just for one year, but for several years. It's expensive and difficult. Therefore, there are many quack medicines on the market, the packaging of which states that they contain ginseng. There may actually be a placebo inside. On sites that sell herbal supplements, customer reviews help make a choice. But if you try, you can write fake positive reviews that will look convincing. Charlatans do this often. Ginseng can help, but don't expect it to solve all your problems. Lead a healthy lifestyle - this gives guaranteed results, unlike “magic” dietary supplements.