American Ginseng is a deciduous perennial growing to about 1 ft (30 cm) having a smooth stem, leaves with oblong to oval leaflets, small greenish flowers, and kidney-shaped scarlet-red berries, native to North America and the Himalayas but cultivated in Wisconsin, China, and France.
A woodland plant now days rarely seen in the wild due to overharveSting.
Key Ginseng Differences
• Its a collective name for a variety of different plant species (include Korean Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng, American Ginseng and Japanese Ginseng).
• It contains multiple biologically active components and factors that stimulate insulin secretion, blocking intestinal glucose absorption and enhancing glucose peripheral utilization.
• Panax Ginseng (Asian, Chinese or Korean) has the highest therapeutic potency.
• Panax quinquefolius (American) is the medium potency grade ginseng, while
• Panax japonicus (Japanese) is considered the low potency grade ginseng.
The most commonly used therapeutic ginseng is Panax Ginseng, due to its strong anti-tumor, angio-modulating and Steroid-like activities.
• Its component panaxans (panaxans A to E) elicits Hypoglycemia, the component adenosine inhibits catecholamine-induced lipolysis, both components of carboxylic acid and peptide 1400 inhibit catecholamine-induced lipolysis and the component DPG-3-2 provokes insulin secretion and its ginsenoside Rh2 improves insulin sensitivity.
Plant Description
History
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
Usable Parts
Root. The root is gathered in autumn.
Directions of Preparation
• Tea: Pour 3 cups of boiling water over 1-2g dried root and allow it simmer for 20 minutes before the root is Strained from the Green Tea taken three (3) times daily.
• Decoction: A decoction is made of 3-6g of the dried root and then simmered in half a liter of water for half an hour. This decoction can be divided into three portions consumed throughout the day.
• Tincture: Use 3-5 mL (60-100 drops) of the tincture (1:5 in 30 percent Alcohol), three (3) times daily.
• Root or whole plant tincture (Fresh [1:2] or [1:3], dry [1:5, 70% Alcohol]): Consume 10-30 drops for root extracts, and 30-60 drops for fresh leaf extract, both up to 3 times a day.
• Infusion or decoction: Consume up to 8 ounces, 1-3 times a day.
• Capsules: Consume 1-2 capsules, 1-3 times a day.
Recommended Dosage
• Short-term (for younger and healthy individuals) – 0.5–1.0 g root daily, as two divided doses, for 15–20 days and with a treatment-free period of approximately two weeks between consecutive courses. Doses are recommended to be taken in the morning, two hours before a meal, and in the evening, not less than two hours after a meal.
• Long-term (for older individuals and those with poor health) – 0.4–0.8 g root daily (or continuously) or 3–9 g root powder daily taken as a decoction. • A low dose of 200mg (can be increased gradually up to 600mg daily) is often recommended when commercial capsules are used. Still, the manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed.
• Root or Whole plant tincture (Fresh [1:2] or [1:3], dry [1:5, 70% alcohol]): Consume 10-30 drops for root extracts, and 30-60 drops for fresh leaf extract, both up to 3 times a day.
• Infusion or decoction: Consume up to 8 ounces, 1-3 times a day.
• Capsules: Consume 1-2 capsules, 1-3 times a day.
Its Active Constituents:
• American Ginseng contain:
• Steroidal Saponins (including panaquilon).
• About 25 ginsenosides belonging to a group of chemical substances called triterpene Saponins. The ginsenosides are divided into three (3) categories (panaxadiol, panaxatriol and oleanolic acid derivatives).
The root contain:
• Various acids,
• Tannins,
• Magnesium,
• Vanadium,
• Zinc,
• Trace amounts of germanium.
The rootstocks contain:
• Some Essential Oil.
Precaution:
* Do not take during Pregnancy.
Health Benefits of American Ginseng
Cardiovascular System
• American Ginseng may be beneficial for heart health, High Blood Pressure and protect against Heart Failure.
• One study showed that when 1500 mg American Ginseng was administered twice a day for twelve weeks, it did not have an anti-hypertensive effect.
• In another study, where test subjects suffering from Diabetes and High Blood Pressure took 1000 mg three times daily for 12 weeks, showed that it did have a Hypertensive effect.
Foods & Cardiovascular System
Diabetes
• American Ginseng may effectively protect against spikes in blood glucose levels after ingestion of Carbohydrate-rich meals in both healthy subjects and patients with type 2 Diabetes (non-insulin-dependent Diabetes) when the herb is taken with or immediately after meals.
• It helps improve blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 Diabetes by reducing HgbA1c, faSting blood glucose levels, blood pressures, and LDL-Cholesterol levels.
Foods & Diabetes
Immune System
• American Ginseng is often used to boost a weakened Immune System.
Foods & Immune System
Infections
• American Ginseng supports the Immune System and protects against microbes. It can be also used to lessen the symptoms of Colds and Colds (Flu).
Foods & Infections
Musculoskeletal System
• American Ginseng increases the ability to tolerate Stress of all kinds.
Foods & Musculoskeletal System
Respiratory System
• American Ginseng is also employed as a tonic for treating weakness, Fever, wheezing, and Coughs.
Foods & Respiratory System
The Brain & Nervous System
• American Ginseng as a regulator of the The Endocrine System and an Adaptogen can be helpful in combating Adrenal fatigue and can be useful for mild to moderate impairments in the Adrenal Glands.
• It can regulate the production of Stress Hormones (or protects the brain hippocampus against Stress Hormones) favourably by reducing the Stress response, when taken over a period of 1-3 months.
• A combination of American Ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba, might be useful in improving some of the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and teenagers.
Foods & Nervous System
