Ginseng, what it is, what it does
A good primer on ginseng:
“Ginseng is a species within the genus panax, which means “all-heal” in Greek. For centuries, traditional Chinese medicine has used ginseng in the treatment of countless diseases and to promote whole-body wellness.
There are two major types of ginseng: American ginseng (also known as Canadian ginseng or North American ginseng), and Asian ginseng (also known as Korean ginseng or Chinese ginseng).
The root of ginseng is most often used in its dried form and is added to capsules, tablets, extracts, beverages and creams. Of note, the quantity of ginseng found in most energy drinks and other beverages is too low to produce any medicinal effect.
Herbalists classify ginseng as an “adaptogen” or an herb that improves the body’s ability to fight off stress such as trauma, anxiety or fatigue. It has also been used to increase stamina and well-being; to treat erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C and menopause; to lower blood glucose levels and blood pressure; and to improve mental and physical performance.
The active compounds in ginseng are thought to be steroid-like substances termed ginsenosides that contain antioxidant and anticarcinogen properties. Over the past decade, a number of researchers have explored the reliability of ginseng’s many health claims. “
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