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Ginseng (man's root)
Panax ginseng
This page contains information on and how ginseng it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems, such as weakness, fatigue, impotence, declining stamina and concentration, as well as boosting the immune system.
On this page
Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.
Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.
Family |
Araliaceae |
Genus and specie |
Panax ginseng |
Man root, root of immortality, Tartar root and life root.
American ginseng refers to Panax quinquefolius.
It is a perennial geophyte with a short rhizome attached to a fleshy root and has a single stem that emerge every year, with compound leaves and a single cluster of small white flowers that develop into bright red fruit.
The fresh or dried root is used.
It is a sweet tonic herb that both stimulates and relaxes the nervous system and encourage the secretion of hormones, improves stamina, lowers blood sugar as well as cholesterol levels and increases resistance to disease.
It contains at least 18 triterpenoid saponins, called ginsenosides or panaxosides and they are glycosides of oleanolic acid, 20-S-protopanaxdiol, ginseng polysaccharides (panaxans), pectin, free sugar, vitamins B1, B2, B12, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, choline, fats, minerals and polyacetylenes.
- Internal use
- It is used internally for debility associated with old age and illness.
- Studies have shown that it improves mood, physical and intellectual performance and other metabolic parameters.
- Furthermore, ginseng is used for lack of appetite, stress, insomnia, chronic illness.
- It is believed to be a powerful adaptogenic aphrodisiac that will affect any system in the body that is out of balance. In Chinese medicine it is used to quickly restore homeostasis (balance) reducing the effect of aging and enhance physical, sexual and mental performance whilst increasing energy and resistance to the harmful effect of stress - and for these reasons it is often used to help men with impotence and sexual problems, and is a good general tonic.
- Ginseng is reported to possess hormone-like and cholesterol-lowering effects, promote vasodilatation, and also act as an anxiolytic as well as antidepressant.
- Some studies have ginseng extracts and ginsenosides to be effective in stimulating learning, memory, and physical capabilities as well as supporting radioprotection, providing resistance to infection and having excellent antioxidant and anti-fatigue effects.
- It is also used to enhance energy metabolism and reducing cholesterol and triglycerides while elevating HDL levels.
- External use
- Ginseng is used in cosmetics for its rejuvenating properties.
- The administration of Ginseng has been clearly associated with obvious improvements in the general metabolism. The herb has a beneficial effect on circulation and the plant regulates the tone of the smooth muscles of the blood vessels.
- There are a very large number of studies which show the action of Ginseng on specific body functions; its stimulating effect on the immune system has been described and also the way it stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits proteic enzymatic degradation in the fibroblasts.
- The plant is responsible for increasing phospholipid synthesis in the blood, inhibiting ATPase in the brain and many other effects.
- It has also been shown that Ginseng has a strong anti-radical effect, which is more considerable in derivatives of protapanaxatriol than in other fractions of the plant.
- This vast amount of properties give Ginseng an almost unlimited use in cosmetics. Its activity makes it useful in nourishing creams, in treating wrinkled and aged skin and in all cosmetic products used to retard the onset of age.
- In body milks and bath products, Ginseng acts by optimizing the cutaneous metabolism of the whole body and in capillary products, Ginseng may be used in treatment products for weak hair and lotions for preventing hair loss as it stimulates growth and gives strength.
- Aromatherapy and essential oil use
May worsen the side effects of stimulants such as coffee, and should best be avoided when consuming alcohol.
Not normally used by pregnant women and is not indicated for use by young children, people suffering from depression, high blood pressure, anxiety or any acute inflammatory disease.
Excess may cause headaches, restlessness, high blood pressure and nausea.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
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You are as young as your faith, as old as your fear and as long as your heart receives messages of beauty, cheer,
courage, grandeur, and power - from the earth, from man and from the Infinite - so long will you stay
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