Ginseng Root Extract

Species Name: Panax Ginsen(Asian Ginseng) and Panax Quinquefolius (American Ginseng)

Also Known As: Ginnsuu, man root, red ginseng, Ren Shen, Korean ginseng, Xi Yang Shen, or Say Yang Sum

Ginseng belongs to the plant family Araliacae, in the genus Panax, which is often used as a descriptive name of the plant.

There are several varieties of the plant, some that are not truly ginseng at all.

True ginseng is noted by the presence of ginsenosides while the other varieties, including Siberian Ginseng, contain eleutherosides instead.

In addition, this variety has a woody root rather than the fleshy root that is characteristic of true ginseng.

This latter plant was renamed Siberian Ginseng purely for marketing purposes.

What is Ginseng? Ginseng is the fleshy root of a very slow growing perennial plant typically found in Asia, Canada and some of the cooler areas of the United States.

In addition, there are several non-cultivated, transplanted varieties of the plant in other areas.

It is used in traditional Chinese and other Asian markets for medicinal and nutritional uses.

Ginseng is also known as Ginnsuu in Asia, mainly in China. It is also referred to as “man root” for the forked shape, which to some cultivators may look like the legs of a man.

The plants genus name Panax is also used as a descriptor for it, and some extracts may be marketed with some form of the word in its own labeling.

Panax is a Greek word meaning “all healing”, from which we derive the word panacea as well. Most ginseng root extracts use Panax as well.

Home Remedies using Ginseng Root Extract:

Benefits and Uses of Ginseng Root Extract:

Ginseng root extract offers several physical and mental benefits.

It is known to alleviate fatigue, stress and exhaustion. It is also known to improve stamina.

Other common benefits of ginseng include its effectiveness as an aphrodisiac, a stimulant and as a treatment for Type II diabetes.

It may also be found in energy drinks, although in amounts too small to be considered medicinal.

A comparative, randomized and double blind study at the National Autonomous University of Mexico showed ginseng to be “a promising dietary supplement”, while a study by the University of Hong Kong showed it to have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Uses of ginseng root extract include:

• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Indigestion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stress
• Ulcers

Ginseng root extract is available in the following forms:

• Whole roots
• Roots in powder form
• Tea bags
• Capsules
• Liquid extract

Side Effects of Ginseng Root Extract:

There may be an increase in the inability to sleep following the use of ginseng.

Other minor side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, headache and change in blood pressure.

Its use may lead to mania if mixed with certain anti-depression medications.

In most cases, these side effects are lessened by reducing the use of ginseng root extract.