Panax Ginseng: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage

There are mainly three schools of thought when it comes to medicine. Some individuals swear by the Western medications insisting that the pharmaceutical companies actually hold the solutions to all our illnesses and ailments. On the other hand, the others refute the Western methods and instead have likings for Eastern medication for their healthcare requirements. Also, you’ll find those individuals who value the best which both the worlds have to offer admitting that West and East can often interact with perfect balance.

Panax Ginseng is amongst the most well-known health supplements offered to us by the Eastern medicine. In fact, this particular plant has been used for many centuries in treating various ailments in Eastern medicine. The term “panax” means “cure all” in the Greek language and the plant’s root has been utilized for creating a variety of diseases in the course of history. The term “ginseng” has been derived from “Jen Shen” which is an ancient Chinese word meaning “man root” since the root often looks like the shape of the human body.

What can Panax Ginseng actually do?

Panax Ginseng boosts energy and has been utilized for thousands of years as a tonic and a stimulant for the Qi deficiency, for treating respiratory problems as well as gastrointestinal disorders such as vomiting and diarrhea, for enhancing the stamina and also reducing the adverse effects of anxiety. It is recommended to take small doses in order to ward off mental or physical impairment. In the US, Ginseng is utilized on a large scale to enhance vitality and energy, improve physical performance, and also to increase the resistance to stress. Other uses consist of healing male impotence and also minimizing blood sugar. Studies have confirmed that Panax Ginseng can help with memory loss particularly when used along with Ginkgo Biloba. Besides this, it is also been proved that Panax Ginseng aids in alleviating the memory loss related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Active ingredients

The root is the primary medicinal part of this plant and it is harvested after about five years when its overall content of ginsenoside is at its peak. (Ginsenoside is the main ingredient in Ginseng). There are as many as 13 different types of ginsenosides altogether. Panax Ginseng also consists of polysaccharides as well as panaxans which help to minimize blood sugar levels. By “white ginseng” we mean only the dried root whereas “red ginseng” has been steamed as well as dried.

Dosage

Take 100 to 250 mg twice a day in order to combat fatigue and improve general health. This dosage will also help you to help the system in times of stress and also during recuperation from an illness.

Guidelines for usage

Always begin at the lower end of the dosage range and then gradually increase the intake. According to some experts, you should stop using Ginseng for at least a week every 2 or 3 weeks and then resume the normal dose. In certain cases, you may also rotate Ginseng with some other immune stimulating herbs, for example, astragalus or Echinacea.

Side effects

Several unwanted side-effects have been reported so far which includes diarrhea, insomnia as well as skin eruptions. It has also been found that Asian Ginseng can be responsible for lowering the blood sugar levels. As a matter of fact, these Ginseng products ought to be utilized with caution in patients who are suffering from diabetes since the risk of hypoglycemia might be enhanced. Individuals without diabetes should take Ginseng along with meals.