Benefits of Ginseng...depression alleviation?As one of the most popular herbs in existence, the benefits of ginseng are well documented in hundreds of studies. It is considered to be one of the adaptogens meaning that it helps the body to cope during times of physical or psychological stress and depression.
North American and Asian (Chinese or Korean) ginseng, also referred to as panax, may result in an increase in blood pressure and an uncomfortable heating sensation for some people. If you have high blood pressure it is advisable to consult with your doctor first before taking the Asian or North American type. It may also interfere with anticoagulants such as warfarin and coumadin. Another consideration is the source of the herbs Most of the Siberian Ginseng is harvested from the wild and not exposed to chemical fertilizers. For maximum benefits, North American and Asian ginseng should only be purchased from a source that can be verified as organic. Growing wild ginseng without the use of pesticides and fertilizers is very difficult. To explore the benefits of ginseng, it probably would be best to start with the more neutral Siberian Ginseng, which is also called Eleutherococcus senticosus. If it works for you then why not continue with it? Benefits of ginseng: There are many claims in ginseng studies and among them are: Increase mental alertness Support of cardiovascular health Relief from hypertension Relief for insomnia Bronchitis relief Stress and depression relief Stimulation of the adrenal glands Chronic fatigue syndrome alleviation Increased physical endurance under stress The list appears to be endless. However, be sceptical as the benefits of ginseng will only be determined by the user. Almost all of the studies on adaptogens have been performed on laboratory animals and not on humans. However, I am convinced that they can be helpful in health promotion. The so-called ginseng libido effect is probably one of its most discussed attributes. It is commonly prescribed in Asia for sexual dysfunction. Dosage Too much ginseng tends to over-stimulate resulting in insomnia and anxiety which is the reverse of what you want it to do. Start with a small dosage to test its suitability. Are the products standardized? One of the recent ginseng studies was conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Jun. 2001;73(6):1101-1106) on 25 commercial ginseng preparations. They tested for the active ingredients (ginsenosides and eleutherosides) and found that capsules had between a 15- and 36-fold variability. Liquid variability showed a 43- and 200-fold difference. Because of the lack of standardization from product to product, it would be best to buy a brand that is known to be reliable. I believe that price should be a secondary issue. As part of my nutritional routine, I take Siberian Ginseng every morning in the form of a commercial herbal cocktail. It mixes nicely with my nutritional protein shake. This is a great tonic to start the day with and I find it to be an herbal treatment for depression, one of the many benefits of ginseng. This is The Body-Mind Connection: Lets cleanse the body to clear the mind.
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