reviewed by Truman Perkins
American ginseng is also known as Panax quinquefolius is an herb that chiefly grows in North America. It has been declared as an endangered or threatened species because of its high demand in some specific states in the United States.
Contents
Traditionally, ginseng has been used as a medicine by the Chinese to treat certain health issues. It is a slow-growing plant that has fleshy roots. There are many types of this herb but the most popular ones are American ginseng and Asian ginseng. The difference between the two is their effect on the body and the assembly of active compounds.
American ginseng is considered by many as an adaptogen which means the class of substance that is considered to stimulate the body's resistance towards environmental, emotional, and physical stressors. The presence of a chemical known as ginsenosides in American ginseng is considered to lower the blood sugar level by affecting the insulin level inside the body.
American ginseng offers great benefits to people including boosting the immune system, curing stress, and also acts as a stimulant. It is also used to treat cold, flu and to fight against certain infections because some evidence suggested that American ginseng may help to prevent flu and cold by making the symptoms mild.
The uses and advantages of American ginseng have no bounds. It is also used to treat intestine infection (dysentery), HIV or AIDS, and some specific Pseudomonas infection that is most common in people who has cystic fibrosis.
There is a requirement for proper scientific evidence to back up all those benefits. Apart from that, you should not confuse Asian ginseng with American ginseng or Siberian ginseng because they are different with certain active compounds and medicinal functions.
There are tons of benefits and uses that make American ginseng a very useful and excellent herb. And some of these uses are just as follow:
American ginseng is believed to improve digestion in people. It also helps to lower appetite. Along with this it helps to control vomiting, inflammation of the lining inside the stomach, and control the inflammation of colitis (colon).
America ginseng has ginsenosides that control the insulin level of the body and lower the blood sugar level. Taking up to three grams every two hours before any meals can lower the sugar level of patients with type 2 diabetes. It does not mean that taking more than three grams would lower the sugar level more because there is no such evidence available.
American ginseng is beneficial to reduce the glucose level in diabetic and non-diabetic people. It is also considered that American ginseng improves the pancreatic function of the cell and boosts the production of insulin. It also enhances the absorption of blood sugar in tissues.
Some research done on American ginseng suggested that taking certain extracts of American ginseng CVT-E002 might prevent the symptoms of flu and cold in adults. The extracts make the symptoms of the respiratory infection milder and ensure to shorten the time of infection.
American ginseng might be useful to reduce the risk of some cancers. The presence of ginsenosides helps to reduce inflammation of the body and also offers antioxidant protection. Ginsenosides have a beneficial role in the cell cycle as it prevents the growth and production of any abnormal cells.
By various studies, it is concluded that people who take American ginseng in their diet have a low risk of developing cancerous cells. American ginseng helps people to improve their health who are going through chemotherapy. It also reduces the side effects of some cancer treatment drugs.
All these benefits remain inconclusive and need further scientific research.
Some studies in China suggested that patients with breast cancer when treated with any form of American ginseng feel better and do better. But there is no accurate scientific evidence present.
People going through cancer treatment feel refreshed and better when they take American ginseng in their diet.
American ginseng help with brain function like mood, behavior, and memory. Some animal studies and test-tube studies were done to check the components present in it. These studies showed that American ginseng has compound K and ginsenosides that protect the brain against free radicals and any damage.
American ginseng helps to improve reaction time and short-term memory in healthy people.
Some early research suggested that American ginseng may reduce the menopause symptoms like night sweats, sleep quality, and hot flashes. But it is inconclusive and needs more evidence.
American ginseng has many useful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. So it is suggested that American ginseng may protect against oxidative stress and help to diminish inflammatory markers
American ginseng boosts up the immune system especially in people who are being treated with chemotherapy and surgery. It may also enhance the certain effect of vaccination and medication and may prevent side effects by such treatments.
Although American ginseng is safe to use it may cause some adverse effects in some people.
When American ginseng is taken by mouth it may cause some side effects like itching, headache, nervousness, diarrhea, and trouble falling asleep (insomnia).
In some people, American ginseng may cause breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding in women, rapid heartbeat, and increased or decreased blood pressure.
Some uncommon side effects include liver infection, Steven-Johnson syndrome (a rash infection), and severe allergic reactions.
People who take diabetes medication should closely observe their sugar level while taking American ginseng to ensure no harmful fluctuation happens in sugar levels.
American ginseng is unsafe for women who are breastfeeding and pregnant. And you should consult your doctor before giving American ginseng to children.
It is very simple to add American ginseng to your diet. There are many ways you can eat or consume it. For instance, American ginseng can be eaten after light steam or raw.
You can make American ginseng tea which is an easy step to add American ginseng to your diet. You can stew it in water. To make American ginseng tea add some freshly sliced American ginseng in hot water and let it cook for some time.
There are other multiple ways you can incorporate American ginseng into your diet. You can make a recipe for stir-fry or soup. You can add American ginseng extracts in any form like oil, capsule, tablet, or powder inside your dish.
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), known as "sang" by some Native American tribes, is a type of ginseng that is native to North America. This plant has been used by many different cultures for centuries to treat anything from cancer to baldness, but there does not seem to be enough scientific evidence supporting these claims.
American ginseng is part of the same family as Asian ginseng, which has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments. The American variety differs in that it has five to nine leaflets on each leaf, while Panax ginseng has four or five leaflets per leaf. Also, the roots are not nearly as large on American ginseng.
The Native Americans would usually dry the roots of the plant in order to make a powder that could be used for medicinal purposes, but most modern ginseng root products are available in pill form. The pills are most commonly taken orally, with some users making a tea using the roots or powdering the roots and putting them in capsules.
American ginseng is sold for around $50 per pound, with the lowest quality root costing between $16 and $20 per pound. The best quality root costs more than double that amount. One of the main uses of American ginseng is to stop hair loss, which may explain why this herb is so expensive.
There are also many claims that this herb is being over-harvested because it has been used for so long to cure various sicknesses, but there seems to be no evidence supporting that claim at this time.
It was once thought that the legend of the "fountain of youth" was just a myth, but many are now turning to American ginseng as a potential anti-aging product. Experts say that one of the reasons it may be useful is because of its ability to fight inflammation, which can damage cells and lead to aging.
Despite its limited use in medicine, Panax ginseng has been studied for a variety of uses, including boosting the immune system and fighting cancer, high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction. There is some evidence to support each of these claims. For example, lab studies have shown that extracts from American ginseng can stimulate immune cells to fight off infection. Human studies have also suggested the herb may enhance the immune system in people undergoing chemotherapy.
In addition, when taken orally, American ginseng has been shown to improve cholesterol levels. In one study, middle-aged men who took a reduced dose of statin drugs and standardized ginseng extract for six weeks experienced a greater increase in good cholesterol than did men who took statin drugs alone.
However, not all of the claims made about American ginseng have been supported by research. A study that tested an American ginseng extract on people with chronic fatigue syndrome found no improvement in symptoms after two weeks.
In another study, American ginseng was found to have no effect on erectile dysfunction. The only side effects associated with American ginseng were mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
At this time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved American ginseng for any specific purpose or disease; however, it is sold as a dietary supplement. You can buy the herb in tablet form at most health food stores and pharmacies. The typical dose is 200 mg of an extract three times daily between meals and never after 5 p.m., as it may cause insomnia. Pregnant women should avoid using American ginseng, because its safety during pregnancy has not been determined.
American ginseng has few drug interactions, but it can reduce blood glucose levels, so diabetic patients should monitor their blood sugar closely while using the herb. Ginseng may increase the effects of insulin or other diabetes medications that lower blood glucose levels.
When used in proper doses, American ginseng appears to be generally safe for most people, but it can interact with other drugs and supplements. For example, American ginseng may increase the risk of bleeding if taken with a blood thinning drug such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin. It also interacts with sleep medications and sedatives, immune system boosters such as the cancer drug cyclophosphamide, and drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.
People who are taking medications for diabetes should be aware that American ginseng may reduce blood glucose levels too much. If you are currently taking medication, talk with your doctor before adding American ginseng to your treatment plan.
As an adaptogen, American ginseng can help people cope with stress without disrupting mental sharpness or physical coordination. This herb reduces cortisol levels during times of stress and regenerates cells damaged by the increased presence of cortisol. Alzheimer's patients often exhibit high cortisol levels, so this herb may be useful because it can reduce cortisol levels in these patients. American ginseng's effects on the immune system are not well-defined, but some studies show that this herb increases natural killer cell activity levels.
According to Drugs.com, American ginseng is generally safe for most individuals when taken at normal dosage levels, because side effects are rare and typically minor. The most common side effects reported include mild headaches, dizziness and digestive tract discomfort. This herb should not be used by children or pregnant women because of a lack of research into its safety during these times.
American ginseng can interact with certain prescription medications including those that treat diabetes, high blood pressure and HIV/AIDS as well as medications that affect the immune system, blood pressure and heart rate. Drugs.com recommends talking with your doctor before taking American Ginseng if you are currently on any medication.
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that it is still unclear exactly how much ginseng increases cortisol secretion due to a lack of scientific research into this herb's mechanisms. The UMMC also warns that this herb may cause insomnia and irritability.
The most common use for American ginseng is as a supplement, although some people also drink it in teas or smoke it with other herbs. One benefit to buying American ginseng as a supplement is that it should be shade grown and organic, which will increase the price. But unlike Asian ginseng, there are no known ill effects caused by overconsumption of American ginseng, so it can be taken in fairly large quantities for personal use or for commercial purposes [4].
The most common way American ginseng is used as a supplement (to the extent it's currently acknowledged by scientists) is to increase energy. Some people take it before they exercise, believing that it will give them more stamina and strength. It has also been recommended for those under high levels of stress.
However, there is no evidence that ginseng increases your energy, strength, or stamina. It is also not known whether or not you should exercise before taking American ginseng, although caution has been recommended to those with heart conditions.
During the early 1900s, American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) was the most profitable tonic in China and North America. The demand for this herbal medicine skyrocketed as more people became aware of its medicinal properties and sought it out for use as a cure-all treatment. Consequently, prices per pound were nearly US$500 during the late 1980's, and ginseng became one of the most valuable herb crops in North America.
However, because it takes 6-7 years for ginseng to reach marketable size at the time of harvest, many people attempted to cultivate this slow-growing root crop in order to produce a greater yield. Also, since ginseng was traditionally hand-dug by wild harvesters, the increased demand resulted in depletion of mature plants growing naturally in the wild. Because of these two factors, cultivated ginseng quickly became recognized as a more sustainable alternative to wild ginseng.
This industry trend has continued through the present day. Annual export figures for 2007 show Canada exported 13.4 tonnes CAD (2011 US$) of ginseng to China compared to only 247 kg CAD (2011 US$) total exports for all other countries combined.
Canada is the world's largest exporter of ginseng, but China is also a major consumer and producer of this crop. In 2011, wild American ginseng became protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates cross-border movement of wild harvested plants and products made from them. This trend has increased the price of wild roots, but people are still willing to pay for this herbal medicine.
The future of American ginseng looks very promising throughout North America as international demand continues to grow and the number of herb farms also increases. However, it will be important to maintain traditional harvesting methods in order to protect remaining wild ginseng populations and to produce a sustainable resource for potential harvesters.
Ginseng is a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. American ginseng is a type of ginseng that is found in North America and is known for its medicinal properties, including its ability to boost the immune system and help fight off infection. American ginseng can be taken in supplement form or as a tea. Ginseng root can also be dried and smoked like tobacco. Ginseng is available at most health food stores. Have you tried using American ginseng to improve your health?
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About Truman Perkins
Truman Perkins is a Detroit-based SEO consultant who's been in the business for over a decade. He got his start helping friends and clients get their websites off the ground, and he continues to do so today. In his free time, Truman enjoys learning and writing about gardening - something he believes is a natural stress reliever. He lives with his wife, Jenny, and their twins in Detroit.
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