Benefits and Dangers of Ginseng

Wild Ginseng has been revered as a universal panacea for many ailments since prehistoric times in China. The root and its derivatives have been used to treat a variety of illnesses. Over the course of history, the use of Ginseng has spread from the Far East to most of the world.

Nowadays one could walk into any pharmacy or herbal remedy shop and buy some Ginseng. As with many herbal remedies, there are many claims made of its potential use. Some of these are valid while some are rather tall claims with no scientific basis.

The term Ginseng is used to represent over eleven species of various plants. The true benefits of Ginseng may not be widespread among all these species but are specific to a few. It is difficult from commercial labelling to get a sense of which ones represent the true Ginseng potential.

As with many similar herbal remedies, Ginseng falls under the herbal supplement category and its sale is not subject to the same level of research, scrutiny, and regulation as pharmaceutical drugs. This allows traders to mix fact with fiction and it gets difficult to seek sensible advice.

It is always useful to have a balanced view of the benefits, dangers and potential interactions of these remedies before one decides to take it.

The term Ginseng is used to represent over eleven species of plants. The true benefits of Ginseng may not be widespread among all these species but are specific to a few. Also, each species has different constituents and properties.

The word Ginseng originates from the Chinese word rénshēn which means "essence of the earth in the shape of man" or more literally, "man-shaped root". This alludes to the root's characteristic anthropomorphic appearance.

There are over eleven species of these perennial plants characterised by this fleshy root. True Ginseng roots belong to the genus Panax from the family Araliciae.

The name Panax comes from Greek Panacea meaning 'all healing'.

Ginseng is a perennial aromatic herb with a short underground stem (a rhizome) associated with a fleshy white root. The above-ground part of the plant is a 30-70 cm single stem that dies annually. In its life cycle, the plant blooms after two years, reach maturity after five and is harvested in its sixth year.

The original Chinese Ginseng carries the botanical name Panax Ginseng. This grows mostly in NorthEastern China. Other species have been found across Korea, Vietnam, Bhutan, parts of North India and even in Siberia. The plant prefers a cooler climate.

North America is another area where Ginseng was discovered to grow wild. This was in the cooler provinces in Canada and parts of the USA. The North American species are called Panax Quinquefolius alluding to the characteristic five-lobed appearance of the leaves.

Other varieties of Ginseng and also varieties of plants that can carry the Ginseng name (but are not true Ginseng species) are listed below.

• In ancient Korean history, cultivated Ginseng was graded as Heaven, Earth, and Man. The heaven grade being the best variety.

• Ginseng was a favorite among Taoist hermits in China. They called it the 'spirit herb'.

• 16th-century Chinese physician and pharmacist Li Shizhen has devoted considerable space to describe the properties of Ginseng in his medical compendium ' Bencao Gangmu'

• Ginseng was listed by Thomas Jefferson in his inventory of native plant resources.

• North American wild Ginseng grew abundantly in Ontario, Quebec, and Wisconsin.

• In 1752 per shipment of Canadian Ginseng fetched as much as 100,000 dollars in profit in trade with China.

In ancient China Ginseng was prized more than gold. Wars were fought over control of Ginseng territories. No doubt the 'man shaped' fleshy root added to its mysticism. The Chinese believed that Ginseng conveyed an abundance of Qi energy. The ancient Chinese compendium of herbal remedies Shen-nung pen-ts'ao-ching attributed many properties to the root - it is described here as 'enlightening the mind, increasing the wisdom and ensuring longevity'.

The further attribution that it had aphrodisiac properties only heightened the demand even further.

In Korean ancient history, Ginseng cultivation has been attributed to Osagoo and there are oral traditions that the Ginseng was graded as Heaven, Earth, and Man. The Heaven grade being the best variety.

By the 6th century AD wild Ginseng had become scarce due to over-harvesting. Imperial decree was given to find and cultivate Ginseng as it was the royal herb of choice.

In North America the Native Americans were familiar with the reviving properties of Wild ginseng and used the root in many potions and concoctions. A Jesuit priest Father Petrus Jartoux, who worked in China, made a drawing of the popular root and sent a sample to his friend in Canada, Father Lafitau. He enquired his counterpart in North America to see if the valuable root grew there. Soon American Ginseng was discovered and the Jesuits made a fair coin by trading wild Ginseng from North America to China.

In the 18th century many a fortune was made by the trade of Ginseng to China. Ships laden with the root traveled from the ports of New York and Philadelphia.

As with China this mad rush to dig up Ginseng resulted in scarcity of the plant in North America by the late 18th century. Enterprising farmers soon managed to revive the plant through careful cultivation and by seeking help from the Native Americans.

Chemists have been able to isolate several classes of chemical compounds from the Ginseng root. These include triterpene saponins, essential oil-containing polyacetylenes and sesquiterpenes, polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, nitrogen-containing compounds, and various ubiquitous compounds such as fatty acids, carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds.

The chemical constituents of Ginseng believed to contribute to its pharmacological effects are triterpene saponins. These compounds are named Ginsenosides.

It is important to note that the Ginsenosides are complex compounds and there are several sub groups ( Rb, Rc, Rg) - not all present in every species. The pharmacological effect of each of these compounds are different.

The benefits attributed to Ginseng is therefore not a generic trait but rather specific to the species of root and vary vastly in their pharmacological properties.

Although there is plenty of anecdotal claims, research has largely only been done on rats and such. Further research is needed to conclusively prove the variety of benefits attributed to the root and it's extracts.

Although there are many historical and anecdotal claims on the benefits of Ginseng from Chinese and Native American medicine, it is worth noting that very few have been scientifically substantiated.

As with many products that are classed dietary supplements the lack of regulation and standardisation ( unlike FDA approved drugs) means that the products don't always contain standardised proportions and may also be subject to adulteration.

This report by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition goes into much detail about the variability of chemical composition and constituents of commercially available Ginseng products.

The internet is rife with unsubstantiated claims often published by the commercial bodies who trade in Ginseng - so understandably there is a 'trader bias'.

The ancients believed Ginseng provided a 'normalising' effect in relieving stress and improving 'energy'. This concept is popular in herbal medicine. Substances that do this and reinstate 'homeostasis' are called adaptogens.

The popularity of Ginseng and its longevity in herbal medicine may come from this concept of a general 'tonic'. Chemically it has been found that some of the compounds have anti-oxidant properties and may improve cellular repair in animal models.

It is perceived that Ginseng also helps recuperation from prolonged illness and enhances recovery.

There have been several anecdotal claims that Ginseng not only improves energy and vitality but also sexual desire and performance. There have been some studies on Korean Ginseng that claim that in 60% test individuals Ginseng improved libido.

Chemically, the compound Rb1 has been shown to increase testosterone production but interestingly there is another compound Rg1 that also stimulates Estrogen like activity. this could account for the claims that Ginseng promotes' Yin' or the female energy and provides a balance of Yin and Yang.

It has been therefore indicated in herbal medicine to improve erectile dysfunction in men.

The warm sense of well being experienced after chewing the Ginseng root may have a placebo effect on perceived improvement in libido. Equally it is a long held view among herbalists that the rather phallic shape of the ginseng root meant it must be useful in improving sexual performance. this is called the 'Doctrine of Signatures'.

Ginseng is believed to help longevity and allegedly has anti-aging properties. Some research has shown that specific Ginseng compounds may help relieve oxidative stress ( that contributes to aging in bodily cells)

Some believe that it halts production of free radicals and reduced oxidative injury to our cells, thereby contributing to youthful vigour and longevity.

These claims remain scientifically unsubstantiated. The property may also not be universal to all Ginseng due to the sheer variability of the chemistry of the extracts.

Some believe that Ginseng tea and extracts can help with menstrual cramps and premenstrual tension. Most of this is anecdotal and unsubstantiated. The sense of well being and 'de-stressing' may contribute to the perceived benefits.

Ginseng has also been touted as beneficial in maintaining a healthy weight and helping in slimming. This may be partially because the people who take ginseng in addition to a healthy eating strategy and also a fitter lifestyle. No clear research is available on this front.

Ginseng itself is a generic name for a multitude of species and the various commercial preparation have varied concentrations of Ginsenosides.

Several of these individual compounds are currently being researched to see if they have any benefits in the following areas:

• Cancer: some lab studies have shown certain Ginsenoside compounds have an effect in reducing tumor size and stopping the spread of certain cancers, including Breast Cancer

• Type II Diabetes: It is being studied to see if it helps in Type II Diabetes ( this type of diabetes is related to obesity, aging, and reduced insulin sensitivity. Ginseng compounds have been shown to help maintain blood sugar control.

• Mental Stimulant: Compounds have been studied to see if they improve Neurological efficiency, improved memory, and concentration.

• Improved Memory: some studies show it increases activity in the hippocampal region of the brain.

As Ginseng roots still have a good market value, there are those with little scruples who have substituted various other similar looking but harmful roots. Products sold as Ginseng have been found to have various contaminants and adulterants.

Firstly one should be aware that not all products that carry the name 'Ginseng' contain the same ingredients. They may vary in the species they are extracted from and also the compounds and concentrations. This can be a baffling proposition.

Secondly, be wary of contamination and adulteration. There have been attempts to regulate the products and produce certificates of authenticity. As Ginseng roots still have a good market value, there are those with little scruples who have substituted various other similar looking harmful roots.

Some products sold as Ginseng have contained Mandragora officinarum, with hyoscine, Rauwolfia serpentina, with reserpine, and Cola, with caffeine. The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin organized a labeling system for genuine American Ginseng products. The American botanical council has also attempted to validate authenticity.

Ginseng extracts or derivatives should not be taken in those with:

• High blood pressure (may worsen BP)
• High temperature (may increase temperature)
• Children (may cause hyperactivity and insomnia)
• Those with hyperactivity or insomnia (can worsen)
• Currently suffering from a cold, flu, or virus (worsen temperature and exhaustion)
• During pregnancy (may cause birth defects)
• Breast Feeding (Can be secreted through breast milk and affect infants)

It is also important to be cautious when taking Ginseng extracts in conjunction with other drugs notably any Diabetic medication, Diuretic, Aspirin, Anticoagulant or Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) The following table lists some of those which interact with Ginseng. Thankfully there are no major interactions.

As with many ancient herbal medicines there is always a mixture of fact and fiction when it comes to benefits. There is no doubt that the survival of Ginseng as an ancient and well-used remedy is from some of its well established yet anecdotal benefits. In giving a sense of well being, improving energy, perhaps stimulating mental agility and maybe even sexual performance.

Some of these maybe a 'placebo' effect. There could be potentially fruitful avenues for scientists to explore as future medicines for memory enhancement, mental stimulation, weight loss and even cancer care.

However, due to the largely unregulated Ginseng industry and the raft of products that flood the market with tall claims, one has to exercise much caution when purchasing and taking Ginseng products. Hopefully, this article has given some clarity and help in this area.

As always it is wise to consult your Physician if you are already suffering from other illnesses and/or taking other medication.