What does ginseng do?

Do you feel tired? Stressed-out? Are you often overwhelmed by the many demands upon
your time and your energy? If your answer to these questions are yes, then you are not alone. Most Americans go through periods of exhaustion, tension, and even burn-out, as they attempt to juggle numerous complicated commitments, including family, work, and recreation. The stressful struggle to balance the components of life in an increasingly complex world often contributes to health problems. Indeed, it would be fair to say that stress has reached epidemic proportions in the Western world and is responsible for some debilitating illnesses, as well as many chronic, nagging health problems.

It is exactly for such health problems that we must turn to natural herbal remedies. These products are excellent for those daily life situations in which we find ourselves not sick, but not healthy either. And where tiredness and stress are concerned, there is one remedy that stands out: ginseng. Ginseng is so effective that I am fond of calling it "the root of power."

Ginseng is probably the best known of all Oriental herbs. Millions of people all over the world take it daily to boost their energy, vitality, and performance or in special situations such as convalescence, aging, and recovery. It has become the main tonic herb in the West, just as it was in the East for thousands of years. It is available in most pharmacies and has now been included in many of the official drug guides of European countries.

In All About Ginseng, you will meet this root, known scientifically as Panax ginseng. Your imagination and sense of mystery will be tickled, because the ginseng root is shaped like a human being. Perhaps because of its interesting and human shape, there is a great deal of legend, folklore, and superstition associated with ginseng—as well as a great deal of misunderstanding. But there is nothing fanciful or superstitious about the effectiveness of this extraordinary herb. Scientific research— some of which I have personally conducted—provides ample support to the claim that ginseng is a powerful and useful herb to combat stress and fatigue, to maximize stamina, and to build strength.

This page will answer your most basic questions about ginseng. You will discover what it really is, what it contains, and where it comes from. We will address and dispel misunderstandings and myths surrounding ginseng, and explain what it can and cannot do to improve your health and vitality. You will learn how to use ginseng to combat fatigue and improve performance, and why ginseng is a more healthful and effective substance than other stimulants or body-builders that you might have taken in the past. You'll learn how to use ginseng in demanding situations such as sports, examinations, jet lag, insufficient sleep, and when you are feeling low. You'll find out if ginseng really is an aphrodisiac, as many people have claimed.

By the time you have finished reading this book, you will realize that you have a powerful and potent ally to help you through life's stresses so that instead of feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, you feel alert, energetic, strong, and capable of meeting your many commitments successfully and in good health.

Q. Ginseng plant identification
A. Ginseng is a unique herb that is regarded in Eastern medicine as the most precious of all traditional remedies. Its popularity is no longer confined to the Orient. Indeed, it has become quite popular in the West as well. It can give you extra energy and vitality, particularly in many situations of stress and exhaustion.

Ginseng has both short-term and long-term uses. On a short-term basis, you can use ginseng as a rapid and safe stimulant if you've had a sleepless night, if you must cope with an unusually heavy work load, if you're a student facing final exams, if you're suffering from jet lag, or if you wish to improve your performance during an important sports game. Ginseng can also be used to address long-term problems—for example, in recovering from periods of stress and burn-out, in convalescence, in intensive sports training, and in generally remaining alert if you know you are going through an extended period of high stress accompanied by many physical or emotional demands. Ginseng can improve your sexual performance. It is not an aphrodisiac, in the sense of being a sexual stimulant; however it can help to maintain sexual energy and may also help in cases of impotence.

Q. Why take ginseng when I'm tired if I can drink coffee? What is ginseng good for?
A. Ginseng isn't just a stimulant. It is a tonic—in fact, it is probably the only true tonic available today. Ginseng works differently from caffeine. It does not produce instant wakefulness which is paid for by even more exhaustion later. Its real value is that it increases vitality and performance, while at the same time improving your health. Caffeine, on the other hand, cannot truly increase vitality and help you overcome stress, exhaustion, or burn-out. It is a "quick-fix" remedy that comes with a very heavy price tag once its immediate effects have worn off.
Ginseng does more than simply helping you cope with tiredness, as caffeine does. It can also help your body cope with almost every other kind of stress. A large number of scientific studies have confirmed that ginseng can prevent the harmful effects of stress on your body. If you are under continuous stress, or you drive yourself too hard and don't make time for relaxation, the continuous state of inner tension can increase blood pressure and cholesterol, and damage your immunity and your health. Ginseng can help you to prevent these changes. It can protect your immunity and shield your general inner balance from stress-related damage. It is also an excellent anti-aging remedy that can be taken regularly to help prevent the decline in energy and vitality that so often accompanies the aging process.

Q. Can ginseng actually cure any diseases?
A. Ginseng is not a drug like penicillin, for example, that treats a specific disease. It addresses certain symptoms, such as fatigue and weakness, but it is more helpful in building health and vitality, and in helping the body cope with stress and tiredness, both of which take a serious toll on the immune system.

Q. So what exactly is ginseng? Ginseng side effects.
A. Ginseng is the root of a small herb. Its botanical, or scientific name is Panax ginseng. Botanists gave it the name "Panax," which is Latin for "panacea," because the Oriental peoples regard it as a panacea, or a cure-all. "Ginseng" comes from the Chinese word for "root of man".
Ginseng belongs to the small family called the Araliaceae, which includes sarsaparilla and ivy. For such a famous plant, it looks remarkably humble. It has groups of five saw-toothed leaves atop a long, straight stalk, which may be about eight to thirty inches tall, depending on age. Its pale green flowers begin to appear only when the plant is two or three years old. These produce bright red berries, well- liked by people and birds. Ginseng grows in the shade in cold climates, and the above-ground parts die off every winter. New growth starts from buds on the "neck" of the root every spring.

The medicinal part of ginseng is the thick, fleshy root. It is somewhat like a carrot but yellow, not orange. It has many tendrils and rootlets, and may sometimes be branched, curled, or bent. The fresh root tastes somewhat bitter, with a hint of aromatic sweetness.
Asian ginseng once grew naturally in the shaded high temperate forests of China, Korea, Japan, and the Eastern part of the former USSR, but it is now virtually extinct in its wild state. However, cultivation has spread the domesticated ginseng to many other areas in Eastern Asia. Although the Chinese undoubtedly value the wild ginseng above any other plant, they regard even the cultivated variety as their most important medicine.

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