April 6, 2001, Newsletter Issue #32: Spring Into Better Health!

Tip of the Week

One way to incorporate some extra energy into your life is to take advantage of the amazing powers of Ginseng. Sounds easy enough, but did you know there a different types of Ginseng - each with a slightly different helping effect?

Panax Ginseng, also know as (Asian, Chinese or Korean Ginseng), and American Ginseng are useful for adaptogenic or tonic effects, which simply means they are aid in improving the state of your health. Asian Ginsengs are the ones to choose if you are looking for extra energy. American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) should be used if you`re in the market for something to give you an extra edge against stress.

The beneficial components of these Ginsengs results mainly from their ginsenoside content, which occur in different quantities in the various types of Ginsengs. Some promote a sense of calmness, others act as a mild stimulant - so it is very important to chose a Ginseng according to your specific needs. If you`re already feeling over-taxed and stressed, you would NOT want to take Asian Ginsengs, but instead would benefit more from the American Ginsengs.

You may also have heard mention of Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), which entered the marketplace when Russian scientists were looking for a cheap substitute for Ginseng. It isn`t of the Panax species, but is instead merely a member of the same plant family as Ginseng is - the Araliaceae. Still, tests showed it to be an effective tonic for improving the immune system, but not effective in the area of improving stamina.

Typical recommended doses(from The Natural Health Bible) for Pantax Ginseng range between 1 to 2 g of the raw herb or 200 mg daily of an extract standardized to contain 4 to 7 percent ginsenosides. Siberian Ginseng is taken at a dosage of 2 to 3 g whole herb or 300 to 400 mg of extract daily. Do keep in mind that Ginseng can reduce Insulin dosage needs, plus interact with MAO inhibitor drugs or digitalis and it might decrease the effects of the blood-thinners Coumadin and warfarin. If you are taking any drugs processed by an enzyme called "CYP 3A4", Ginseng products might interfere with their effects, so check with your pharmacist to see if your medications are associated with this enzyme process.

According to "Prescription For Nutritional Healing," lower doses of Ginseng seem to raise blood pressure while higher amounts appears to lower blood pressure. Research has also shown that high doses of Ginseng may be helpful for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, without the harmful side effects of steroids, and it may also protect one against the harmful effects of radiation.

Ginseng is also beneficial to people with diabetes because it lowers the level of the cortisol in the blood, a hormone that interferes with the function of insulin. It is advised, however, that people with hypoglycemia avoid using large doses of Ginsengs.

Best results when used 15 to 20 days, followed by a two-week rest period. It is also important to use ONLY standardized formulas, which guarantee unadulterated quantities of ginsenoside content.

Interested in knowing a little extra important info on Ginseng? Click on link below!

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