Therapeutic Uses
- Cancer – Researchers found that compared with those who did not use ginseng, those who took it regularly had an astonishing 60% lower risk of all cancers. Two more similar studies found a 44% and a 50% lower risk of all cancers. Ginseng also helps treat the fatigue cancer patients typically develop while taking chemotherapy. Furthermore, in women with breast cancer, ginseng has been found to improve survival and quality of life.
- Colds – Researchers have found that people who take ginseng develop half as many colds. In addition, the colds of ginseng users clear up faster, 6 days versus 13 days for those who don’t take ginseng. The colds of ginseng users are milder and briefer.
- High Blood Pressure – Ginseng increases the body’s synthesis of a compound (nitric oxide) that dilates blood vessels. As the arteries dilate, blood pressure drops.
- Diabetes – In a Finnish study, 36 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were treated with either a placebo or 100 or 200 milligrams of ginseng daily. Compared with those in the placebo group, the people in both ginseng groups showed lower blood sugar levels – and greater improvement in mood and enhanced performance on physical and psychological tests. The high-dose group showed the greatest benefit.
- Emphysema – Fifteen people with emphysema underwent tests of lung function and then walked as far as they could in six minutes. They were instructed to take 200 milligrams of ginseng per day. Three months later, the participants’ lung function improved significantly, meaning that more oxygen entered their bloodstreams. This increased their work capacity, as the distance they could walk in six minutes increased by 42%.
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Low Sexual Desire – Ginseng dilates the arteries, including the ones that carry blood into the penis. More blood available to the penis means greater likelihood of erection. In one Korean study, men given ginseng experienced 60% improvement in erection rigidity and girth.
- Male Infertility – An Italian study gave 4,000 milligrams of ginseng a day to men who had very low sperm counts and men with normal sperm counts. After 3 months, the sperm counts in the infertile men rose 93%. The men with initially normal sperm counts showed a 9% increase.
- Menopausal Symptoms – Japanese scientists surveyed 20 women about their menopausal discomforts and then gave them 6,000 milligrams of ginseng per day. A month later, their symptoms had declined significantly.
- Liver Damage – Ginseng protects the liver from the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol, and other toxic substances. In a pilot human study, ginseng improved liver function in 24 elderly people with alcohol-induced cirrhosis.
- Appetite Loss – Ginseng enjoys a thousand-year-old reputation as an appetite stimulant. One study showed that it increases the ability of the intestine to absorb nutrients, thus helping to prevent malnutrition.
Medicinal Uses: * Alcoholism * Fatigue * Immune * Libido * Longevity Tonics * Memory/Focus * Stress
Ginseng Side Effects: Do not use during pregnancy. Consult with a health professional before self-treating if you have high blood pressure.
Ginseng Root Drug Interactions: Do not take American ginseng if you take warfarin (Coumadin). Taking American ginseng along with medications used for depression (phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others) might cause side effects such as anxiousness, headache, restlessness, and insomnia. Taking American ginseng along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
