Siberian Ginseng (Elutherococcus senticosus), Indian ginseng (Ashwagandha), Brazilian ginseng (Suma), and Peruvian ginseng (Maca) are not members of this genus, but share similar medicinal effects to the true ginsengs and thus, they share the same general name.  Ginseng, as a category of plants, is renowned for its healing benefits, with some types having been used for more than 2,000 years. Ginseng was traditionally one of the most widely used plants across the globe, and is still used all over the world today.

What do they do?
The ginsengs are adaptogenic herbs, meaning that they help the body adapt and cope during stressful mental times and during recovery from illness and fatigue.  Studies show that the active constituents of ginsengs have structures similar to those of human steroid hormones and that they can directly affect our brains.  This action in the brain results in stimulation of the adrenal gland and activation of the body's energy reserves.  This response keeps us safe, allowing us to fight for survival, or to flee from dangerous situations.  It also increases heart rate; blood pressure and blood flow to the brain, muscles, lungs and heart.  Thus ginseng leads to increased energy, mental performance and performance in physical tasks like athletics. Stimulation such as this can deplete the body over time (yang depleting yin – see below) so ginseng also contains substances that stimulate cell replication, protein synthesis, immune functioning and blood sugar regulation.  All of these properties nourish the body and aid in recovery from times of high activity, illness and stress.  The ginsengs are recommended by natural health practitioners for a variety of needs including: athletic performance, energy, recovery from illness or surgery, stress, support during cancer treatment, impotence, low libido and frequent colds and infections.

Yin and Yang
Traditional Chinese Medicine acknowledges that there is a delicate balance in the entire universe and everything in it between two forces known as yin and yang, woman and man. Yin represents females, rest and regeneration while yang represents males, action and energy. The same universal balance exists within each of our bodies that can be disturbed by excess or deficiency on either side (yin or yang), resulting in illness. The ginsengs are renowned in Chinese culture for their energizing (yang) properties, being complemented by their nutritive (yin) properties. This is the case in most ginsengs, except Korean Ginseng, which is far more yang, and thus cannot be taken for extended periods of time. For more information on the properties of each ginseng, please see the chart below.

Cooling vs. Warming
Another means of viewing the properties of herbs is traditional to most societies on Earth with roots in Indian, Chinese, American (North and South), and European cultures. This categorizes the herbs on a scale between cooling and warming. Some obvious examples familiar to most are mint as a cooling herb and cayenne pepper as warming. The various ginsengs are also in different positions on this scale. This is important information for treatment, based on the inherent nature of the condition for which each particular ginseng is being used. For example, warming herbs are better used for cold, stagnant conditions such as a head cold with stuffiness and chills. On the other hand, cooling herbs are better used for hot conditions such as excessive fevers, and anxiety. The requirement for heating or cooling may also be determined by the seasons for those in climates where the weather changes with the seasons. Warming herbs are better used in the winter, and cooling herbs in the summer.

White vs. Red
There are many different preparations of the various ginsengs, two popular types are called white and red. The preparation called white ginseng consists of fresh ginseng that is grown for 4-6 years, peeled and dried. White ginseng is air dried in the sun and thus, becomes a yellowish-white colour and may contain less of the therapeutic constituents. The preparation called red ginseng is grown for 6 years before it is harvested and immediately boiled to steam-cure it, and then the root is dried. This process causes it to have a reddish-brown color, and is thought to change its biochemical composition and also to prevent the breakdown of the active constituents. Red ginseng is used more commonly for herbal preparations, and is generally the form studied when examining the pharmacological activities of ginsenosides.

Hormonal Effects
Ginseng members of the Panax family (North American, Chinese and Korean) have been shown to enhance libido and sexual performance. It is not known whether these effects are due to changes in hormone secretion or due to the direct effects of the ginsenoside constitutents on nervous system and gonadal (sexual organ) tissues. It is known that in males, ginsenosides can stimulate penile erection. Certain ginsenosides have also been shown to have weakly phytoestrogenic effects, meaning that they can weakly act in the human body as estrogen. This allows them to either directly stimulate estrogen receptors in people with insufficient estrogen, or to compete for binding sites with natural estrogen in those with excessive levels. In addition to their direct hormonal actions, the ginsengs are great examples of adaptogens. Because of their effect on the adrenal gland, they can both directly and indirectly affect many different hormones in the human body. The most obvious examples of these are: aldosterone, cortisol, adrenaline, and sex hormones. For more information on the effect of adaptogens on hormone levels, please see the adaptogen article.

How do I choose a particular ginseng?
The difference in the ginsengs is the strength of their activity and the ratio of stimulation to nourishment of the body.  This can also be seen as their yin/yang and/or warming/cooling natures in more traditional herbal understanding.

Choosing the right ginseng for you can depend on a number of factors including your underlying condition and the season where you live. If you suffer from a condition that is hot/cold or yin/yang excess, then you want to choose an herb that is the opposite of your current condition to help balance your health. If your condition does not have a particular hot/cold or yin/yang component, or if you are generally healthy and only dealing with a period of stress, then the time of year may be the most important factor in your choice as noted above. No matter what, it is very important not to take the more stimulating ginsengs if you are already depleted as they may further deplete your reserves and result in exhaustion. If you are at all unsure, it is often beneficial to consult with a healthcare practitioner when choosing the right herbs for you.

How can I take ginseng?
Ginseng can be found in a variety of different forms.  Raw herb, teas, single serving liquid vials, tinctures, encapsulated herb or capsules are all widely available.  Ginseng products may also be found in combination products for energy, sexual function and memory, as well as many traditional Chinese formulas.  Use caution when purchasing these formulas because their quality varies widely and they may contain toxic contaminants, as manufacturing practices in China are not well regulated. Purchase whichever type of ginseng suits your needs but be sure to buy a standardized product as an assurance of the quality of the ginseng you are ingesting.

The dose and duration of use of each ginseng is unique to its particular species and preparation. Korean ginseng is not usually recommended for long-term use due to its more stimulatory nature, which drains yin.  Siberian, Peruvian, and American ginseng are less stimulating and more nourishing, and thus are useful for everyone and can be used for longer periods of time.

Important Information
Ginseng 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.  Ginseng can alter the effects of caffeine, stimulants, decongestants, blood thinners (including aspirin), anti-hypertensives, sedatives, insulin and oral hypoglycemics.  Ginseng should not be used by pregnant women or nursing mothers.  Panax ginsengs containing ginsenosides may have estrogenic effects and should be avoided in people with estrogen sensitive conditions and cancers. Each type of ginseng may have contraindications specific to its use, please click on the links provided for more information on each herb.