Ginseng is a light tan, gnarled root, regarded by people in Asian countries to be the king of all herbs. Sometimes the main part of the root looks like a human body, with stringy shoots that look like arms and legs. Herbalists hundreds of years ago took this appearance to mean that ginseng could cure all human ills, and it has been used as a cure-all by many different cultures. The Chinese, however, view ginseng not only as a cure-all, but also as a plant that brings longevity, strength, and wisdom to its users.

American and Asian ginsengs are useful in the treatment of diabetes, fatigue, for alleviating stress, and during convalescence, and Siberian ginseng for stress, fatigue, atherosclerosis, and impaired kidney function. Confusion regarding which ginseng (American, Asian, or Siberian) to use for stress, fatigue, and convalescence stems from the suggestion that active components in one type are superior to those in another type. Such superiority has not been demonstrated. Early Russian studies indicated that Siberian ginseng's positive effects exceed those of Asian ginseng's. These results are supported by empirical reports, but have been challenged by investigators who question the validity of the studies and the quality of the Siberian ginseng preparation. At this time, all three ginsengs are regarded as adaptogens, all three have the same side effects, and despite qualitative differences, each is used for similar treatments. Cost, standardization, and the reputation of the manufacturer may be the deciding points in determining which product to use.

Ginseng increases stamina, strength, and well-being. These actions make it sound like a stimulant, such as coffee. But stimulant drugs often compromise the actions of important parts of the body, and irritability, heart palpitations, addiction, and anxiety are some of the side effects that may result. Ginseng, on the other hand, acts without any of these negative effects, and it has been used safely for at least 2,000 years.

Your doctor may recommend ginseng if you have just had an illness. If you are elderly, ginseng may shorten the time that it takes you to bounce back from illness or surgery. It may also help you to focus your thoughts.

If you are someone who tends to get a lot of colds or sore throats you may find that taking ginseng reduces the frequency of these conditions. Ginseng may help if you have difficulty concentrating. Athletes take ginseng to increase both endurance and strength. Ginseng may also help reduce the discomforts of menopause.

Ginseng acts as an adaptogen, which helps the body fight against the effects of just about any kind of stress, be it viral, bacterial, emotional, intellectual, or physical. The effects of stress may be as simple as headaches or colds, but they can also be more serious, such as accelerated aging, memory loss, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

The ginseng plant has leaves that grow in a circle around a straight stem. Yellowish-green umbrella-shaped flowers grow in the center and produce red berries. Wrinkles around the neck of the root tell how old the plant is. This is important because ginseng is not ready for use until it has grown for four to six years.

Ginseng products are made from the ginseng root, and the long, thin offshoots, called root hairs. The main chemical ingredients in Asian ginseng are the ginsenosides (Rg1 as marker); glycans (panaxans); polysaccharide fraction DPG-3-2; peptides; maltol; and volatile oil.

White ginseng (dried, peeled) or red ginseng (unpeeled root, steamed before drying) is available in water, water-and-alcohol, or alcohol liquid extracts, and in powders or capsules.

When taking ginseng, use only standardized products. Standardization is the only way we have of assuring quality in herbal products. Choose white or red ginseng, standardized to 1.5 percent ginsenosides, designated as Rg1.

The recommended dose is 1 to 2 g fresh root, 0.6 to 2 g dried root, or 200 to 600 mg liquid extract daily.

If you are healthy and are using ginseng to increase your physical or mental performance, to prevent illness, or to improve resistance to stress, you should take ginseng at the recommended dosage in cycles. For example, take 1 to 2 g fresh root, 0.6 to 2 g dried root, or 200 to 600 mg liquid extract daily for 15 to 20 days, followed by two weeks without taking ginseng.

For help recovering from an illness, the elderly should either take 0.5 g twice a day for three months and then stop or take 0.5 g twice a day for a month, followed by a two-month break. Repeat if desired.

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) rates ginseng as a class 2d herb, which indicates that specific restrictions apply. In this case, hypertension (high blood pressure) is the specific restriction, so people with hypertension should not take ginseng products. Likewise, you should not use ginseng with caffeine or other medications that stimulate the central nervous system because this herb may increase the effects of these substances, possibly making you feel nervous or causing sweating, insomnia, or irregular heartbeat.

People with heart disease, diabetes, and low blood pressure should use caution when taking ginseng. Do not take ginseng during any acute illness. Do not use ginseng if you are pregnant because its safety during pregnancy has not been determined.

One study reported that ginseng may increase the effects of digoxin, a medication used to treat heart conditions. You should consult with your doctor before using ginseng with digoxin in order to assure that it is appropriate for you to combine the two.

There have been reports of a possible interaction between ginseng and the antidepressant medication, phenelzine, resulting in symptoms ranging from manic-like episodes to headache and tremulousness. Therefore, you should not use ginseng with phenelzine.

There have been reports that Asian ginseng may possibly decrease the effectiveness of the blood-thinning medication, warfarin. If you are currently on warfarin therapy, you should refrain from taking Asian ginseng.

Ginseng may block the effects of analgesic medications such as morphine. You should not use ginseng with morphine except on the advice of your doctor.

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