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Medicinal;
Description of the herb
It is a perennial geophyte with a short rhizome attached to a fleshy
root and has a single stem that emerge every year, with compound
leaves and a single cluster of small white flowers that develop
into bright red fruit.
Parts used
The fresh or dried root is used.
Properties
It is a sweet tonic herb that both stimulates and relaxes the nervous
system and encourage the secretion of hormones, improves stamina,
lowers blood sugar as well as cholesterol levels and increases resistance
to disease.
It contains at least 18 triterpenoid saponins, called ginsenosides
or panaxosides and they are glycosides of oleanolic acid, 20-S-protopanaxdiol,
ginseng polysaccharides (panaxans), pectin, free sugar, vitamins
B1, B2, B12, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, choline,
fats, minerals and polyacetylenes.
Therapeutic uses
Internal use
It is used internally for debility associated with old age and illness.
Studies have shown that it improves mood, physical and intellectual
performance and other metabolic parameters.
Furthermore, ginseng is used for lack of appetite, stress, insomnia,
chronic illness.
It is believed to be a powerful adaptogenic aphrodisiac that will
affect any system in the body that is out of balance. In Chinese
medicine it is used to quickly restore homeostasis (balance) reducing
the effect of aging and enhance physical, sexual and mental performance
whilst increasing energy and resistance to the harmful effect of
stress - and for these reasons it is often used to help men with
impotence and sexual problems, and is a good general tonic.
Ginseng is reported to possess hormone-like and cholesterol-lowering
effects, promote vasodilatation, and also act as an anxiolytic as
well as antidepressant.
Some studies have ginseng extracts and ginsenosides to be effective
in stimulating learning, memory, and physical capabilities as well
as supporting radioprotection, providing resistance to infection
and having excellent antioxidant and anti-fatigue effects.
It is also used to enhance energy metabolism and reducing cholesterol
and triglycerides while elevating HDL levels.
External use
Ginseng is used in cosmetics for its rejuvenating properties.
The administration of Ginseng has been clearly associated with obvious
improvements in the general metabolism. The herb has a beneficial
effect on circulation and the plant regulates the tone of the smooth
muscles of the blood vessels.
There are a very large number of studies which show the action of
Ginseng on specific body functions; its stimulating effect on the
immune system has been described and also the way it stimulates
protein synthesis and inhibits proteic enzymatic degradation in
the fibroblasts.
The plant is responsible for increasing phospholipid synthesis in
the blood, inhibiting ATPase in the brain and many other effects.
It has also been shown that Ginseng has a strong anti-radical effect,
which is more considerable in derivatives of protapanaxatriol than
in other fractions of the plant.
This vast amount of properties give Ginseng an almost unlimited
use in cosmetics. Its activity makes it useful in nourishing creams,
in treating wrinkled and aged skin and in all cosmetic products
used to retard the onset of age.
In body milks and bath products, Ginseng acts by optimizing the
cutaneous metabolism of the whole body and in capillary products,
Ginseng may be used in treatment products for weak hair and lotions
for preventing hair loss as it stimulates growth and gives strength.
Safety precautions and warnings
May worsen the side effects of stimulants such as coffee, and should
best be avoided when consuming alcohol.
Not normally used by pregnant women and is not indicated for use
by young children, people suffering from depression, high blood
pressure, anxiety or any acute inflammatory disease.
Excess may cause headaches, restlessness, high blood pressure and
nausea.
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