Panax ginseng

Panax ginseng
Family: Panax ginseng; Adaptogen; Anticholesterolemic; Emetic; Expectorant; Hypoglycaemic; Nervine; Tonic.
Common name:Ginseng
Ginseng has a history of herbal use going back over 5000 years. It is one of the most highly regarded of herbal medicines in the Orient where it has gained an almost magical reputation for being able to promote health general body vigour and also to prolong life. The root is adaptogen alterative carminative demulcent emetic expectorant stimulant and tonic. It both stimulates and relaxes the nervous system encourages the secretion of hormones improves stamina lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels and increases resistance to disease. It is used internally in the treatment of debility associated with old age or illness lack of appetite insomnia stress shock and chronic illness. Ginseng is not normally prescribed for pregnant women or for patients under the age of 40 or those with depression acute anxiety or acute inflammatory disease. It is normally only taken for a period of 3 weeks. Excess can cause headaches restlessness raised blood pressure and other side effects especially if it is taken with caffeine alcohol turnips and bitter or spicy foods. The roots are harvested in the autumn preferably from plants 6 - 7 years old and can be used fresh or dried. A dose of 10ug/ml of ginseng saponins has been shown to be significantly radio-protective when it is administered prior to gamma-irradiation. The leaf is emetic and expectorant.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 04:50 []