All About Panax Ginseng: A Traditional Medicinal Ingredient in Alternative Remedies

For thousands of years practioners of Chinese medicine have prescribed panax ginseng to their patients. It was used to treat a number of health conditions and as a tonic to maintain good health. Still popular today, panax ginseng is both cultivated and wild crafted in its natural habitat. Unfortunately, the amount of panax ginseng growing in the wild is dwindling to due overharvesting.

The word panax refers to the scientific family name of all the species of true ginseng. The most well known types of ginseng are American ginseng - Panax quinquefolius, Japanese ginseng - Panax japonicus and Asian ginseng - Panax ginseng. Sometimes Asian ginseng is referred to as Korean ginseng. Siberian ginseng - Eleutherococcus senticosus, is distantly related to the panax family and is an entirely different plant.

You will find two basic types of panax ginseng supplements and products. One is made from "red ginseng", while the other is made from "white ginseng". Panax ginseng supplements made with "red ginseng" are prepared with roots that have been steamed and then dried. "White ginseng" is simply dried panax ginseng root.

The root of panax ginseng is the part prized for its purported healing and tonic properties. Light tan in color, it is a gnarled root that often takes the shape of the human body. According to information from the University of Maryland Medical Center, Asian and American ginseng "contain ginsenosides, saponins that are ginseng's active ingredients." It goes on to say, "Asian ginseng also contains glycans (panaxans), polysaccharide fraction DPG-3-2, peptides, maltol, B vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oil. "

Ginseng has a straight stem with leaves that grow around it in a circle. It produces yellowish-green, umbrella-like flowers that turn into red berries. It has a taproot system that must mature for about six years before it is mature and ready to harvest.

The Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research at the University of Chicago recommends preparations and daily dosages for panax ginseng. It says, "The recommended daily dosage is 100-200 mg of ginseng extract once daily. Dosages of ginseng extract up to 600 mg three times daily have been advocated."

Panax ginseng may alter the effects of your prescription medication. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns against using panax ginseng while taking heart medication, blood thinners, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, morphine and caffeine.

Resources:

1. University of Maryland Medical Center: Possible Interactions with Asian Ginseng

2. Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research: Ginseng