Ginseng, the Herbal King

"Quieting the spirit, removing noxious influence, brightening the eyes, and enlightening the mind. Continuous use leads one to longevity with light weight."
- Shizhen Li, China’s sixteenth century naturalist and author of “Great Compendium of Herbs”

There is nothing average about Ginseng. In the West, ginseng is known as "miracle tonic" that gives people energy boost. Ginseng based energy drinks such as Jones Soda and Snapple Fire may be found at most stores, and ginseng supplements populate shelves of countless supplement shops. In the East, ginseng is considered to be the king of all herbal medicines. During the holidays, it is offered as a valued gift that will bring good health. While ginseng is a potent revitalizer, many people do not really know how it works in the body. Understanding its ginseng can help you administer the herb safely and avoid side effects.

Two most common types of ginseng are Panax ginseng, also known as Asian, Korean or Chinese ginseng, and Panax quinquefolius, commonly called American, Canadian, or North American ginseng. The word “Panax” means “heal-all” in Greek. In Asian cultures, people traditionally believe ginseng to be crystallization of earth essence in the shape of roots, and think it is a cure for all. Clinical studies have shown that such beliefs actually enhance the healing effects of the root. The therapeutic components of ginseng are ginsenosides, active (steroid-like) compounds found in the herb that stimulate body’s endocrine and sympathetic nervous systems, as the herb’s sedative properties induce relaxation. Siberian ginseng is an inexpensive substitute for Asian and American varieties, and effectively enhances blood oxygenation to improve stamina and alleviate altitude sickness. Many climbers and other endurance athletes prefer Siberian ginseng to the other varieties.

A popular adaptogen, Ginseng can increase one’s energy and resistance to physical stress over time when taken in small, frequent amounts (usually 100 or 200 milligrams, twice a week). Under the supervision of licensed clinicians, ginseng is used to treat anemia, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction. Additionally, it stimulates carbohydrate metabolism in the liver, increases/decreases blood pressure, enhances memory and cognitive functions, improves sleep patterns, and stimulates cell growth.
Different varieties of ginseng offer their own unique healing properties. In general, Asian ginseng has a warmer therapeutic effect than American ginseng. Chinese ginseng has a warming effect on the body, while Korean ginseng has a hot effect. Supplementing with Asian ginseng in the winter keeps body temperature warm and increases blood circulation, especially for middle-age and elderly. However, when a person experiences excessive emotional stress, anger and frustration or consumes too much fried and greasy foods, and alcohol, his internal body becomes hotter than normal. It is not recommended for him to take Asian ginseng, otherwise he may have flushed face, headache, sore eyes and skin rashes. American ginseng is considered to have a cooling effect that works well for fevers and respiratory tract disorders by strengthening immune system.
It is strongly recommended to consult with a healthcare practitioner before taking ginseng for health reasons. If you are thinking about trying ginseng drinks or snacks, make sure you don’t take it:

• With coffee because it may cause upset stomach.
• If you are pregnant or nursing.
• For colds and flu or other infections, as it nourishes bacteria and viruses, as well as the body.
• If you have hormone-dependent conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or cancers of the breast, ovaries, uterus, or prostate (relates to panax ginseng).
• If you are on blood-thinner drugs such as such as aspirin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), and warfarin (Coumadin) because it may cause uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhaging.
• If you are on sildenafil citrate (Viagra) because it may affect heart rhythm and increase risk for heart attack.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Will It Surface or Sink?

Chinese herbal medicine refers to many compounds that are unused in Western medical practice. There is strong interest and wide application in those compounds as well as the theories that guide Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners to determine which compound to prescribe. Although abundant scientific research on Chinese herbal medicine’s pharmacological effects have been conducted in China, there is much less work in the West has been done on the same subject. Facing increasing costs and undesirable side effects of prescription drugs in the United States, American medical communities need to seek partnership with their Chinese counterparts to utilize the low-cost and less-risk Chinese herbs as an alternative to treat patients.

In China, herbs are commonly used among its population. Scientific collaboration between Western and Chinese medical research has been created through peer reviewed scientific journals and medical databases on pharmacology of Chinese Herbal Medicine. For instance, The Chinese Journal of Hospital Pharmacy and The Chinese Journal of Chinese Herbs are among the authoritative publications that showcase scientific studies on Chinese herbs. However, pharmacological efficiency of Chinese herbs is less known in The United States. While more medical schools start to incorporate alternative medicine including herbal medicine in their curricula, many Western doctors and scientists hold skeptical view toward Chinese herbs as superstition and archaic pseudoscience. Many Americans have a stereotype of Traditional Chinese Medicine as mystical and unscientific, which may lead to reluctant research among scientific communities. Additionally, many Chinese herbal medicines have been marketed as dietary supplements and there has been considerable controversy over the effectiveness, safety, and regulatory status of these substances. Misuse of marketed herbal products in the U.S. further reduces the scientific credibility of Chinese Herbal medicine. For instance, ephedra or Ma Huang in Chinese, contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Due to the risk of adverse impact on the cardiovascular system and some deaths due to consumption of extracts in high doses, the use of ephedra is restricted in the United States. Chinese wormwood, Qing Hao in Chinese, was discovered as a source for artemisinin, which is now used worldwide to treat multi-drug resistant strains of falciparum malaria. It is also under investigation as an anti-cancer agent that may induces adverse effect. Moreover, certain Chinese herbs involve a risk of allergic reaction and a risk of poisoning in rare cases. Potentially toxic and carcinogenic compounds such as arsenic and cinnabar are sometimes decocted as part of herbal formulas or used on the philosophy of “using poison to attack poison.” Although Chinese culture is familiar with healing philosophy of herbal medicine, such practice creates legal and clinical risks in the Western medical system. Apparently, misperception on Chinese herbal medicine and incorrect application of herbs are major barriers to scientific research in the U.S.

Nonetheless, this is not to say that Chinese herbal medicine lacks of pharmacological effects. Chinese herbs contain powerful biochemical agents, which have been scientifically documented in Chinese medical literature. Their clinical application over hundreds of years in China confirm their therapeutic effects. Language barrier and conceptual differences hinder the communication between Chinese and Western medicine communities. It would take collaboration between English-speaking Chinese medicine practitioners and open-minded Western medical scientists to research on Chinese herbal medicine in the U.S. in order to deliver effective drug alternatives.