Benefits of ginseng, an in depth look

An in depth article discussing the benefits of ginseng supplementation. Several research studies are discussed in depth. A balanced and fair assessment is given. Some of the specifics include: ginsengs interaction with Antioxidants and lipids, ginseng as a treatment for erectile dysfunction and as an aphrodisiac plus more...

What Ginseng supplement does

The biochemical mechanisms of ginseng remain unclear, although there is
extensive literature that deals with ginseng's effects on the brain (memory, learning, and
behavior), neuroendocrine function, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, immune function,
and the cardiovascular system. Reports are often contradictory, perhaps because the
ginsenoside content of ginseng root or root extracts can differ, depending on the species,
method of extraction, subsequent treatment, or even the season of collection.
Ginseng does have the potential to help with blood sugar levels and some studies
show that it can reduce blood lipid levels.

Constituents of Ginseng

The roots of Asian and American ginseng contain several
saponins named
ginsenosides that are believed to contribute to the adaptogenic properties. They are used
in traditional Chinese medicine to improve stamina and combat fatigue and stress.
Saponins
are interesting natural compounds found in many plants, herbs, roots, and beans. Saponins
have potential in the prevention and treatment of diseases of the heart and circulatory
system. For instance, they inhibit the formation of lipid peroxides (fat
oxidation) in cardiac muscle or in the liver, they influence the function of enzymes
contained in them, they decrease blood coagulation, cholesterol, and sugar levels in
blood, and they stimulate the immune system. Some saponins may even have anti-tumor
properties.

Ginseng Benefit - Laboratory and Human Studies

Let’s examine some of the studies done with ginseng.
       

Ginseng
benefit for Cognitive
functioning

        Various tests of mental performance were carried out in a group
of sixteen healthy male volunteers given a standardized preparation of Asian ginseng (100
mg twice a day for twelve weeks of a product called G 115). A similar group was given
identical placebo capsules under double-blind conditions. A favorable effect of ginseng
was observed in attention, mental arithmetic, logical deduction, and auditory reaction
time.         

        Researchers at the Cognitive Drug Research
Ltd., Beech Hill, Reading, in the United Kingdom evaluated the effects of a Ginkgo
biloba / ginseng combination on cognitive function. The study lasted ninety days and was
performed in a double blind, placebo-controlled manner with sixty-four healthy volunteers
(aged 40 to 65 years) who had mild fatigue and low mood. The treatment was well tolerated
by all volunteers. There were improvements noted in memory and overall cognitive
functioning.
        Ginseng root saponin at a dose of 50 mg three
times a day was given for two months to 358 middle and old age individuals. The results
showed that the herb improved memory and immunity.

     

Ginseng, Antioxidants, and
Lipids

      The administration of several grams of ginseng
daily increases the ability of the body to maintain its antioxidant status.
Furthermore, lipid levels such as LDL cholesterol are lowered (Kim, 2003).

      

Ginseng and Quality of life

      The aim of this study was to
compare the quality-of-life parameters in subjects receiving multivitamins plus ginseng
with those found in subjects receiving multivitamins alone (Caso Marasco 1996). The study
was randomized and double-blind, and it involved 625 patients of both sexes divided into
two groups taking one capsule per day for twelve weeks. Group A received vitamins,
minerals, trace elements and ginseng extract while group B received vitamins, minerals and
trace elements only. By the end of the study, both the group-A and the group-B tested
positively on a questionnaire evaluating quality of life, but Group A had a higher score.

 
      
     

Ginseng and Sex

      Korean red ginseng, a herb considered
an aphrodisiac in some Asian countries, seems to be an effective treatment for
erectile dysfunction, and sex enhancement, according to the results of a small study from Korea. In some Asian cultures,
ginseng has been used traditionally to boost sex enjoyment and sexual stamina, but the effectiveness of the
herbal remedy has been evaluated in only a handful of studies, so a team at the University
of Ulsan and the Korea Ginseng and Tobacco Research Institute in Seoul evaluated Korean
red ginseng in 45 men with erectile dysfunction.The
men were randomly assigned to take either 900 milligrams of ginseng or an inactive placebo
pill three times a day. Eight weeks into the study, the men were taken off the treatment
for 2 weeks, after which they switched treatments for the next 8 weeks. Neither the
researchers nor the participants knew which pill--ginseng or placebo--the men were taking
until after the study.
Scores for erectile function, sexual desire and satisfaction during intercourse were higher when the
men were taking ginseng than when they were on the placebo, the researchers report in the
November 2002 issue of The Journal of Urology. The men reported being better able to
achieve and maintain an erection while taking ginseng than when on the placebo. While they
were taking ginseng, 60% of men said that their erections improved compared to 20% while
taking placebo. The study did not examine how ginseng might have improve erectile
function, but the investigators speculate that it may enhance the production of nitric
oxide, a substance that helps widen blood vessels. They do not think that ginseng's
apparent benefits stem from hormonal changes, since the herb did not have a significant
effect on testosterone levels. Despite the apparent improvements with ginseng, however,
the researchers did not detect any improvement in blood flow to the penis while men were
taking ginseng. In addition, most men who said that their erectile function improved did
not experience more frequent ejaculations or more satisfaction with their orgasms,
according to the report.

Benefit of Ginseng as an Adaptogen?

Adaptogen is a term coined to loosely define certain herbs that help improve
energy, vitality, mood, wellbeing, etc. Users of this term imply that these adaptogens are
healthy to take and may prolong life, although there usually is little research to back up
these claims. I prefer not to use the term adaptogen since it does not have a reliable
scientific definition. Most who take ginseng notice an improvement in energy, vitality, sexual
enjoyment, and mental clarity.

Availability of Ginseng

Countless varieties and dosages of ginseng are available. One option is to buy a
ginseng product that has a standardized extract of 3 to 7 percent ginsenosides. Use 100 mg of this
extract in the morning a few times a week. You may require 500 to 2,000 mg of he dried
ginseng root to feel the effects. It’s best to cycle the use of ginseng. For instance, you
can take ginseng for two or three weeks and then take off a few weeks.

Ginseng Side Effects

Insomnia is a common side effect from ginseng overuse, particularly Asian
ginseng—especially when it’s combined in high doses with other herbs or
nutrients that cause alertness. Althea, a 38 year-old owner of a garden shop in Maui,
says, "I took ginseng that was recommended
by a Chinese physician for fatigue. I took the ginseng for two weeks. I felt really better
emotionally, mellow, and with increased energy. Then I started to have increased sleep
problems and insomnia. I went three days being so mentally and physically overstimulated
that I hardly got any sleep. I imagine this is what being on "speed" must feel
like. I stopped taking the ginseng and within two days I slowly returned to my normal
state."
   This story confirms my recommendations that
dosages of nutrients and herbs have to be constantly evaluated since they can build up in
the system.
  
Patients being treated with the blood-thinning
drug Coumadin (warfarin) should probably avoid using ginseng, since ginseng
seems to reduce the drug's effects. Ginseng use for two weeks was tied to a
significant reduction in the INR, meaning that the blood was now less thin and
more prone to clotting.

   Ginseng should be used cautiously in
those with heart disease. Keep the dosage low in order to prevent heart racing
or high blood pressure.

Mechanisms of Action of Ginseng

The roots of Chinese and American ginseng contain several saponins named
ginsenosides that are believed to contribute to their properties. Saponins are
interesting natural compounds found in many plants, herbs, roots, and beans.
They are used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve stamina and combat
fatigue and stress. Saponins have potential in the prevention and treatment of
diseases of the heart and circulatory system. For instance, they inhibit the
formation of lipid peroxides (fat oxidation) in cardiac muscle and in the liver.
Saponins also influence the function of enzymes; decrease blood coagulation,
cholesterol, and sugar levels in the blood; and stimulate the immune system.
Some saponins may even have anti-tumor properties. Recent studies in laboratory
animals have shown that both the Asian and American forms of ginseng enhance
libido and copulatory performance. These effects of ginseng may not be due to
changes in hormone secretion, but to the direct effects of ginseng, or its
ginsenoside components, on the central nervous system and gonadal tissues. There
is good evidence that ginsenosides can facilitate penile erection by directly
inducing the vasodilatation and relaxation of penile corpus cavernosa. Moreover,
the effects of ginseng on the corpus cavernosa appear to be mediated by the
release of nitric oxide from endothelial cells and from nerves that surround the
vessels. Treatment with American ginseng also affects the central nervous system
and has been shown to significantly alter the activity of hypothalamic
catecholamines, such as dopamine and norephinephrine, involved in the
facilitation of copulatory behavior and hormone secretion. According to recent
findings, that ginseng treatment decreases prolactin secretion,
which also suggests a direct effect of ginseng at the level of the pituitary
gland. High levels of prolactin inhibit libido. Studies sometimes have provided
contradictory results, perhaps because the ginsenoside content of ginseng root
or root extracts can differ depending on the species, method of extraction,
subsequent treatment, or even the season of collection.

Benefit of Ginseng Summary

Many people who take ginseng find this herb to be a good overall energizer and cognitive
enhancer. Due to the tremendous variety of ginseng products sold, it is difficult to give definite
dosage recommendations. You could certainly try a few ginseng products to see which one(s) give
you a positive effect. In practical and simple terms, Asian ginseng raises body
temperature and is more stimulating while American ginseng is more calming.
The effects of Siberian ginseng fall somewhere between these two.