Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng ) has been used in China for many thousands of years as an all-purpose health tonic. Chinese herbalists say it can energize the body, aid in digestion, and improve muscle tone. Ginseng also has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, perhaps because the root looks like a little man with tiny arms and legs splitting off the main trunk. There's also an American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius ), but ironically, it's relatively rare in the U.S., since it's mostly exported to China, where it's even more prized than the Asian variety.

Some human research suggests that Asian ginseng may help improve thinking and memory. And, it might also help flu vaccines work better. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings. Asian ginseng did not improve athletic performance in several human studies. And, it had no effect on well-being or mood of adults in another study.

Several studies have shown that ginseng may lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, although more studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of ginseng and to determine how it might interact with standard prescription medications for diabetes.

Ginseng contains more than a dozen unique chemicals collectively called ginsenosides. Some of them are stimulants that have an effect similar to caffeine, and some of them seem to have a depressant effect. Chinese herbalists say you may have to take ginseng continuously for six years before noticing any benefits, but European health authorities caution against using it for more than 3 months.

Although ginseng is generally considered safe, it can cause insomnia and diarrhea. While herbalists often prescribe ginseng for chronic fatigue syndrome, some patients find that it only makes them feel worse. People with bleeding conditions, diabetes, heart problems, insomnia, schizophrenia or estrogen sensitive conditions (some cancers, endometriosis, uterine fibroids) should avoid Asian ginseng. Asian ginseng reduces the effect of the blood thinning drug, Coumadin (Warfarin). If you take prescription medicines, consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using Asian ginseng.

Ginseng is available at health food stores and Chinese herbal shops in the form of whole or sliced roots, capsules, extracts, and teas. Recently it has started showing up in soft drinks and energy bars, although there probably isn't very much Asian ginseng in these products. Keep in mind that the government doesn't regulate herbal remedies as strictly as it does drugs, so it's hard to know what you're getting. There's no required testing for safety and effectiveness, for example.

Since real ginseng root can cost up to $500 a pound, unscrupulous suppliers often try to pass off products with little or no Asian ginseng in them. And some products may actually contain another herb, so-called Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus ), which is not a true ginseng. It is cheaper and more widely available than true ginseng. It was first made popular in the Soviet Union in the 1960s, when Russians athletes and cosmonauts used it as a "performance enhancer."

References

First published October 6, 1998
Last updated January 23, 2008
Copyright © 1998 Consumer Health Interactive and OneBody, Inc.

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