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Restorative root
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Ginseng, a popular root used widely in Chinese medicine, helps counter weakness and fatigue, and is used as a restorative for declining stamina and impaired concentration.
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GINSENG ROOT is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine as a restorative. Asian ginseng and American ginseng belong to the genus Panax (from the Greek panacea-cure-all), while Siberian ginseng belongs to the genus Eleutherococcus. In use for over 5,000 years by the Chinese and by the Native Americans, it first found mention in a book of the Chien Han era (33-48 B.C). The `Three Kingdoms' (the Koreas and parts of Manchuria) exported the root to the rest of China. Its value was such that the Chinese emperors collected tribute in the form of ginseng.
The Chinese claim ginseng enhances memory, reduces stress, lowers cholesterol levels, prevents blood clots, improves stamina and libido, boosts the immune system and increases life span. In 1709 A.D., a Jesuit priest, Fr. Jartous, brought back to Europe news of the healing powers of ginseng after a spell in China. The Jesuits in North America soon discovered that the Indians had been using the root under the name `Garantequen'. The Indians used it to cure headache, muscular cramps and childhood croup, as a poultice for wounds, and to improve mental performance and fertility.
Modern medicine is somewhat sceptical about some of the wild claims of ginseng devotees. The market for root extracts in India is largely male, middle-aged and worried about impotence. Sadly, there is no reliable evidence to suggest that ginseng is a naturopathic alternative to Viagra. Nevertheless, the German Commission E allows the use of ginseng as a tonic `to counteract weakness and fatigue, as a restorative for declining stamina and impaired concentration, and as an aid to convalescence'.
Ginsenosides, the active principles of ginseng, act on the brain, heart, blood vessels and immune systems. They number about 25 in all and their effects are sometimes opposite to one another. This makes it difficult to predict the effects of the root on individual patients. One study suggests that American ginseng may help diabetics by lowering the spike in blood sugar levels after meals. We are still a long way off from knowing exactly how ginsenosides act, and more research needs to be done before it can win recognition as a health food.
Because it is so popular with naturopathy enthusiasts, ginseng is frequently adulterated with bulking agents and with root extracts from other plants. In fact, these adulterants cause the so-called `ginseng abuse syndrome'. Otherwise, the root is well tolerated and has few side effects. Ginseng-containing capsules are expensive, and people who worry about their declining libido and about impotence should see a doctor before blowing a small fortune on this exotic herb.
RAJIV. M.
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