Korean Ginseng
Articles
Articles
Ginseng & Weight Loss - Use Ginseng, Lose Fat
Ginseng is among the most well known herbal supplements. Its source is a group of perennial
plants in the Panax genus. It is especially valuable for weight loss, although false rumors
regarding weight gain have spread in recent times.
Different Types of Ginseng
There are several popular herbs which people refer to as 'Ginseng'. Not all of these are actually
in the same Genus or Family, however, so they are actually totally different plants. The two main
types of Ginseng commonly used in supplements are:
American Ginseng (P. quinquefolius)
American Ginseng originates in North Eastern America, used at one time by Native Americans
for medicinal purposes. In Chinese culture, it is commonly called either 'Fancy Flag' or 'West
Ocean Ginseng', in English translation. In eastern medicine, it is associated with Yin energy.
Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Asian Ginseng, or Yang energy, is native to Manchuria (the region between China and Russia),
Korea, and other far east areas. It is similar to American Ginseng in that it contains
Ginsenoside - the active ingredient.
Many Ginseng supplements with different names are actually a variant of these two types.
Some of the more common ones are:
* White Ginseng
* Red Ginseng
* Wild Ginseng
* Korean Ginseng
Fake Ginseng - Plants which are Not Actually Panax Family Ginseng
P. Ginseng and its family members should not be confused with the following supplements,
however. These do not contain 'Ginsenoside, and are from entirely an different plant genus or
family (Eleutherococcus senticosus):
* prince ginseng
* Siberian ginseng
* female ginseng
* Indian ginseng
* Brazilian ginseng
* Peruvian ginseng
* southern ginseng
Ginseng for Weight Loss - How it Helps
The primary function by which Ginseng assists in losing weight is through better regulation of
blood glucose levels. It helps us produce more insulin, increases our sensitivity to existing
insulin (reduces insulin resistance), and reduces cell death in our pancreas.
This translates into lower blood sugar levels after meals and reduced storage of carbohydrates
as fat. Ginseng also appears to be helpful for many other things, including boosting our
immune system, type 2 diabetes, heart conditions, ADHD, memory, cancer, and more.
Unfortunately, scientific study has not yet thoroughly explored to what extent this valuable herb
can help our health.
--George Wischler
Ginseng Differences and Benefits—How to Choose the Best Ginseng for
Your Needs
Ginseng is known as an adaptogenic herb. An adaptogen is an herb that regulates and helps
the body handle stress and maintain vitality. Adaptogens are used for long term revitalization
and not for immediate energy like central nervous system stimulants such as caffeine.
Ginseng is grown in many parts of the world. The roots are the part of the plant used for all
Ginseng products. Each variety has its own health benefits. Ginseng benefits are cumulative.
Taking the herb for several months to a year is far more effective than short-term doses.
Ginsengs are used in many Eastern formulas to complement other herbs.
Ginseng in general provides energy to all body systems, is a stimulant for brain and memory
centers, helps lower cholesterol and regulates sugar use in the body. Ginseng also promotes
regeneration from stress and fatigue. All Ginsengs contain measurable amounts of
germanium, a trace mineral also in mushrooms.
Panax Ginseng, (Also known as Asian Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Ren
Shen, Xi Yang Shen, or Say Yang Sum), grown in Korea is the broadest spectrum of all
adaptogenic herbs. It is also considered one of the most prized and expensive herbs. Panax
ginseng stimulates both long and short-term energy, so is know as a yang tonic replenishing
Qi (energy.)
Panax is rich in phyto-hormones for both men and women’s problems. For men it helps in the
formation of testosterone and for women it protects against breast cancer, hence the term
adaptogenic (it will adapt to the needs of the body no matter what is needed and no matter what
sex.) For this reason, Panax also fits into the aphrodisiac category. Panax Ginseng is used for
enhancing the immune system, impotence and premature ejaculation, poor sleep and nervous
exhaustion. It is especially useful for older bodies with debilitating conditions.
Contraindications: Panax, meaning panacea, is NOT universally applicable in every illness like
its name implies. Yang Ginsengs should not be taken during acute inflammatory disease or for
bronchitis. Use the yin American Ginseng for bronchitis. The yang Ginsengs are used in
combination with other herbs to temper their powerful nature.
American Ginseng (Also called Panax quinquefolius, Xi Yan Shen) is a yin tonic. Yin tonics are
cooling and slowing in nature. American Ginseng is used in China for fevers and for exhaustion
due to chronic wasting diseases. It is also used for coughs related to lung weaknesses (such
as tuberculosis, bronchial infections or asthma.)
Siberian Ginseng (also called Eleuthero or Eleutherococcus senticosus) comes from China. It
is known for its long-term energy effects on the adrenal glands and circulation. In this day and
age, most of our American population is overtaxing their adrenal glands with excess stress.
There are just too many tasks enticing us to utilize our available time. We are spending less
and less time with our families and doing what nourishes us (our Life Purpose or God Path.)
Siberian Ginseng is a yang tonic herb, so it stimulates fast, hot, male energy type of function.
Siberian Ginseng has been used for rheumatic complaints, low vitality, and weak liver and
kidney energy for about 2000 years. It is considered less heating (less yang) than the Panax
varieties (therefore safer.)
I use Siberian Ginseng in my “Old Dog Formula” to increase the circulation to the butt muscles
and lower spine. I once had a client who came in regularly for Old Dog Formula for their two
very aged shelties. I noticed that they came in a bit more regularly than they should for the
dosage I had recommended. When I asked them about it, they confessed that they were also
using the product with fabulous results. I like it too and use it occasionally for gardening
season.
Panax notoginseng (Also known as Pseudoginseng or San Qi) is grown in China and is used
as an analgesic and to stop internal and external bleeding. It is also added to treatments for
coronary heart disease and angina. Quite interestingly, San Qi was used extensively by the
North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War to increase recovery rates from gunshot wounds.
Avoid this one during pregnancy. It could harm the fetus.
Wild Ginseng, from Manchuria, is considered the best, but is extremely expensive. For
centuries in the East, top-grade Ginseng roots have been valued more than gold.
Ginseng comes in two varieties, red and white. Red Ginseng is cured by steaming which gives
it its color and yang attributes.
So, next time you go to the health food store, don’t just ask for Ginseng, be specific.
Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the
family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice
established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at http://www.NaturalHealthTechniques.
com and free internationally distributed monthly newsletter.
--Denice Moffat
Ginseng is among the most well known herbal supplements. Its source is a group of perennial
plants in the Panax genus. It is especially valuable for weight loss, although false rumors
regarding weight gain have spread in recent times.
Different Types of Ginseng
There are several popular herbs which people refer to as 'Ginseng'. Not all of these are actually
in the same Genus or Family, however, so they are actually totally different plants. The two main
types of Ginseng commonly used in supplements are:
American Ginseng (P. quinquefolius)
American Ginseng originates in North Eastern America, used at one time by Native Americans
for medicinal purposes. In Chinese culture, it is commonly called either 'Fancy Flag' or 'West
Ocean Ginseng', in English translation. In eastern medicine, it is associated with Yin energy.
Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Asian Ginseng, or Yang energy, is native to Manchuria (the region between China and Russia),
Korea, and other far east areas. It is similar to American Ginseng in that it contains
Ginsenoside - the active ingredient.
Many Ginseng supplements with different names are actually a variant of these two types.
Some of the more common ones are:
* White Ginseng
* Red Ginseng
* Wild Ginseng
* Korean Ginseng
Fake Ginseng - Plants which are Not Actually Panax Family Ginseng
P. Ginseng and its family members should not be confused with the following supplements,
however. These do not contain 'Ginsenoside, and are from entirely an different plant genus or
family (Eleutherococcus senticosus):
* prince ginseng
* Siberian ginseng
* female ginseng
* Indian ginseng
* Brazilian ginseng
* Peruvian ginseng
* southern ginseng
Ginseng for Weight Loss - How it Helps
The primary function by which Ginseng assists in losing weight is through better regulation of
blood glucose levels. It helps us produce more insulin, increases our sensitivity to existing
insulin (reduces insulin resistance), and reduces cell death in our pancreas.
This translates into lower blood sugar levels after meals and reduced storage of carbohydrates
as fat. Ginseng also appears to be helpful for many other things, including boosting our
immune system, type 2 diabetes, heart conditions, ADHD, memory, cancer, and more.
Unfortunately, scientific study has not yet thoroughly explored to what extent this valuable herb
can help our health.
--George Wischler
Ginseng Differences and Benefits—How to Choose the Best Ginseng for
Your Needs
Ginseng is known as an adaptogenic herb. An adaptogen is an herb that regulates and helps
the body handle stress and maintain vitality. Adaptogens are used for long term revitalization
and not for immediate energy like central nervous system stimulants such as caffeine.
Ginseng is grown in many parts of the world. The roots are the part of the plant used for all
Ginseng products. Each variety has its own health benefits. Ginseng benefits are cumulative.
Taking the herb for several months to a year is far more effective than short-term doses.
Ginsengs are used in many Eastern formulas to complement other herbs.
Ginseng in general provides energy to all body systems, is a stimulant for brain and memory
centers, helps lower cholesterol and regulates sugar use in the body. Ginseng also promotes
regeneration from stress and fatigue. All Ginsengs contain measurable amounts of
germanium, a trace mineral also in mushrooms.
Panax Ginseng, (Also known as Asian Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Ren
Shen, Xi Yang Shen, or Say Yang Sum), grown in Korea is the broadest spectrum of all
adaptogenic herbs. It is also considered one of the most prized and expensive herbs. Panax
ginseng stimulates both long and short-term energy, so is know as a yang tonic replenishing
Qi (energy.)
Panax is rich in phyto-hormones for both men and women’s problems. For men it helps in the
formation of testosterone and for women it protects against breast cancer, hence the term
adaptogenic (it will adapt to the needs of the body no matter what is needed and no matter what
sex.) For this reason, Panax also fits into the aphrodisiac category. Panax Ginseng is used for
enhancing the immune system, impotence and premature ejaculation, poor sleep and nervous
exhaustion. It is especially useful for older bodies with debilitating conditions.
Contraindications: Panax, meaning panacea, is NOT universally applicable in every illness like
its name implies. Yang Ginsengs should not be taken during acute inflammatory disease or for
bronchitis. Use the yin American Ginseng for bronchitis. The yang Ginsengs are used in
combination with other herbs to temper their powerful nature.
American Ginseng (Also called Panax quinquefolius, Xi Yan Shen) is a yin tonic. Yin tonics are
cooling and slowing in nature. American Ginseng is used in China for fevers and for exhaustion
due to chronic wasting diseases. It is also used for coughs related to lung weaknesses (such
as tuberculosis, bronchial infections or asthma.)
Siberian Ginseng (also called Eleuthero or Eleutherococcus senticosus) comes from China. It
is known for its long-term energy effects on the adrenal glands and circulation. In this day and
age, most of our American population is overtaxing their adrenal glands with excess stress.
There are just too many tasks enticing us to utilize our available time. We are spending less
and less time with our families and doing what nourishes us (our Life Purpose or God Path.)
Siberian Ginseng is a yang tonic herb, so it stimulates fast, hot, male energy type of function.
Siberian Ginseng has been used for rheumatic complaints, low vitality, and weak liver and
kidney energy for about 2000 years. It is considered less heating (less yang) than the Panax
varieties (therefore safer.)
I use Siberian Ginseng in my “Old Dog Formula” to increase the circulation to the butt muscles
and lower spine. I once had a client who came in regularly for Old Dog Formula for their two
very aged shelties. I noticed that they came in a bit more regularly than they should for the
dosage I had recommended. When I asked them about it, they confessed that they were also
using the product with fabulous results. I like it too and use it occasionally for gardening
season.
Panax notoginseng (Also known as Pseudoginseng or San Qi) is grown in China and is used
as an analgesic and to stop internal and external bleeding. It is also added to treatments for
coronary heart disease and angina. Quite interestingly, San Qi was used extensively by the
North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War to increase recovery rates from gunshot wounds.
Avoid this one during pregnancy. It could harm the fetus.
Wild Ginseng, from Manchuria, is considered the best, but is extremely expensive. For
centuries in the East, top-grade Ginseng roots have been valued more than gold.
Ginseng comes in two varieties, red and white. Red Ginseng is cured by steaming which gives
it its color and yang attributes.
So, next time you go to the health food store, don’t just ask for Ginseng, be specific.
Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the
family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice
established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at http://www.NaturalHealthTechniques.
com and free internationally distributed monthly newsletter.
--Denice Moffat
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |