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CHINESE GINSENG
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
Chinese ginseng has been used for over 2,000 years to help with stress, athletic performance and sex … |
CHINESE GINSENG |
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| Chinese Ginseng can help you reduce anxiety, depression, nervousness and more... |
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What is it?
Suma is a term used for the root of a South American vine (Pfaffia paniculata) that has been traditionally used to support the body during stressful times, as an adrenal and nervous system tonic. It is an adrenal adaptogen that helps the body to deal with stress and protects against the development of stress-related illness. Suma does this by modulating the immune system, which is often depleted by stress. |
It helps adaptation to chronic physical and mental-emotional stress and stimulates the immune system. It has also long been used to treat anxiety, depression, male impotence, headaches, menopausal hot flashes, as well as to increase athletic performance and cognitive function.
What does it do?
The current use of Chinese ginseng mostly mirrors its traditional uses from Chinese culture. It has recently been studied for its ability to enhance libido and sexual performance, although the exact mechanism of action is not yet understood. Interestingly, in males, ginsenosides have been shown to directly facilitate penile erection. Also, some ginsenosides can act as weak phytoestrogens, a term used to describe plant compounds that can mimic the female hormone estrogen in the body. Recent research has also shown that Chinese ginseng can reduce fatigue in cancer patients and there is preliminary research in animals for its role in cancer prevention.
What are the properties of Chinese ginseng?
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Chinese ginseng promotes yang (sunshine, hot, positive, male). This means that it is useful in people with excess yin conditions such as edema, puffiness, and some types of fatigue and depression. For more information on the different properties of the ginsengs, please click here.
How can I take Chinese ginseng?
Chinese ginseng is often found as powdered dried root or as a concentrated extract. Raw herb, teas, single serving liquid vials, tinctures, encapsulated herb or capsules are all widely available. It is available as a single herb or in combination formulas for the treatment of a variety of conditions. Dosing recommendations are 600-3000mg of raw herb three times a day, or a cup of tea made using 3g of raw herb taken three times a day. Concentrated extract can be taken as 100-300 mg extract (standardized to 7% ginsenosides) three times daily for 3-4 weeks, followed by a rest period. Chinese ginseng can also be found in a cream to treat erectile dysfunction, which is applied an hour prior to, and then removed before intercourse. This herb can also be found in energy drinks and other commercial products, although this is often the tea form and is too dilute to have physical effects.
Important Information
Chinese ginseng, like other ginsengs, contains components that have blood thinning, blood pressure altering and blood sugar altering properties. Ginseng supplements should be used with caution by individuals with: active bleeding, blood clotting disorders, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, diabetes and hypoglycemia. For the same reason, ginseng supplements should be discontinued prior to surgery or dental work. Chinese Ginseng can alter the effects of caffeine, stimulants, decongestants, blood thinners (including aspirin), anti-hypertensives, sedatives, insulin and oral hypoglycemics. It may also lead to induction of mania in depressed patients who mix it with antidepressants.
Inappropriate use of Chinese ginseng was examined in a study that gave patients up to 15g of ginseng daily. Symptoms such as: hypertension, diarrhea, sleeplessness, mastalgia (breast pain), vaginal bleeding, skin rash, confusion, and depression were described. All symptoms resolved when the dose was reduced to within recommended limits. Estrogenic symptoms have been reported in pre and post-menopausal women, although no corresponding chemical activity can be found in the lab. It would still be prudent to avoid use of Chinese ginseng during pregnancy, lactation, and in cases of estrogen sensitive conditions, including estrogen sensitive cancers. |
Chinese Ginseng –
QUICK FACTS |
PARTS USED |
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Roots. |
APPLICATIONS |
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Low energy, increased athletic performance, stress, low immune function, impotence, hot flashes, headaches, depression, anxiety. |
OPTIMUM
DOSAGE |
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600-3000mg of raw herb 3x/day, or a cup of tea made using 3g of raw herb taken 3x/day. Concentrated extract can be taken as 100-300 mg extract (standardized to 7% ginsenosides) three times daily for 3-4 weeks (Clinical doses may be higher as recommended by your healthcare practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH |
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Bee pollen, Propolis, adrenal glandular, vitamin B complex, other ginsengs. |
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products |
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Due to potential estrogenic activity, Chinese ginseng should not be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers, or in people with estrogen sensitive conditions.
· Exceeding the recommended dosage of Chinese ginseng can result in serious side-effects.
· Ginseng should not be used with caffeine, stimulants, decongestants, blood thinners, including aspirin, anti-hypertensives, sedatives, insulin, oral hypoglycemics, and should be discontinued 2 weeks prior to surgery or dental work.
· Individuals with diabetes, hypoglycemia, hypertension, hypotension, blood clotting disorders or active bleeding should use ginseng with caution. |
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