Panax Ginseng Benefits

Ginseng, which has been an indispensable herb in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, is now widely popular across the globe. There are different varieties of ginseng and those belonging to the genus panax are the highly valued ones. Basically, ginseng varieties are classified into three types - Oriental, American and Siberian. While the oriental ginseng types are those which have been used for a very long time in traditional Chinese medicine, American ginseng is found in different parts of America and is said to have been used by the native Americans. Compared to the other two, Siberian ginseng is not a true ginseng, but is a distant relative of ginseng plant. However, this plant too has properties similar to the original ginseng. Oriental ginseng is usually referred to as panax ginseng.

What is Panax Ginseng

Oriental ginseng or Panax ginseng is the most valued one and is grown in China, Korea and some neighboring countries. Red panax, mostly found in Korea gets the color through processing, while other oriental ginseng types are allowed to dry naturally and lack the red color. Though related to panax ginseng, Siberian and American ginseng have different medicinal properties. It is the roots of Panax ginseng, that are used for medicinal purposes. Even the leaves of this ginseng plant are said to have therapeutic properties and so, are sometimes used along with the leaves. Ginseng roots are sold in dried form, either in whole or as slices. Nowadays, this herb has become so popular that it is often found as an additive in herbal teas, energy drinks and cosmetics.

Benefits and Side Effects

As mentioned above, panax ginseng has been used in the traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Studies show that the active compounds in ginseng is ginsenosides. Even though, American ginseng too has the same active compounds, it is said to have cold property, while panax ginseng is considered as warm. This herb is used as a herbal medicine to treat various health conditions as well as a supplement.

• Ginseng is most commonly used as an adaptogen, a substance that enhances the resistance power of the body towards emotional and physical stress.
• Panax ginseng is said to have anticarcinogenic properties and is claimed to be beneficial in preventing formation of cancerous cells as well as to transform abnormal cells to normal ones.
• This herb has been used as an aphrodisiac for a very long time. It is said to increase the sexual desire in both men and women.
• One of the panax ginseng benefits is its use in treating erectile dysfunction in men. It is also said to be effective in increasing the sperm count.
• It is used for treating hormonal imbalance. It is said to be good for alleviating menopause symptoms. Some people use it for normalizing menstrual cycles.
• This ginseng is also used in treatment of type 2 diabetes. This herb, which is otherwise known as Asiatic ginseng is also said to be useful in reducing the bad cholesterol levels.
• Panax ginseng is claimed to be an anti aging agent that can fight aging and reduce the symptoms of aging. It is also used to treat conditions, like, cold, flu, rheumatism, gout and insomnia.
• Ginseng is also a stimulant and is used as a supplement to stimulate the immune system. It is said to be good for improving memory. You might have heard about the use of panax ginseng for weight loss. But, there is no evidence to suggest that this herb can be useful in reducing body weight.

However, like many other herbs, even this ginseng can cause side effects, if taken improperly or in high doses. Panax ginseng side effects include edema, digestive disorders, breast pain, dizziness, headache, nervousness, insomnia, mood swings and itching. While it lowers blood sugar levels in some people, in some others hypertension is caused by this herb. In most cases, long term use, improper dosage, high doses, drug interactions, underlying medical conditions, etc., are found to cause ginseng side effects. So, it is very much important to use this herb, under the supervision of a qualified herbal practitioner. You have to stick to the prescribed panax ginseng dosage for best results. Another important point to remember is to buy authentic ginseng products from trusted manufacturers or sources.