(Panax quinquefolius) G
Folk Names: Wonder of the World Root
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Powers: Love, Wishes, Healing, Beauty, Protection, Lust
Magical Uses: The root is carried to attract love, as well as to guard one's health, to draw money, and to ensure beauty to all who carry it.
Burn ginseng to ward off evil spirits and to break hexes and curses. A tea of ginseng is used as a powerful lust-inducing drink, wheter alone or mixed with other like herbs.
Hold a ginseng root in your hands, visualize your wish into the root, and throw it into running water. Or, carve your wish onto a root and toss into the water.
Ginseng can be a substitute for the mandrake.
[From: "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs"]
Here is a good website for "Ginseng Wisdom" http://www1.american.edu/TED/ginseng.htm
A good website about the growing of Ginseng - http://www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/plantpage/flora/ginseng/
Wildcrafting and American Ginseng - http://www.altnature.com/gallery/ginseng.htm
and also this link: http://www.ncgoldenseal.com/media/sustainable.html
The Ginseng Page
How to grow, harvest, and sell your ginseng; wild ginseng laws, conservation and ethical ginseng suppliers. http://alternative-herbal-medicine.net/Ginseng/ginseng.htm
And here are some You Tube videoes on Ginseng....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r66oz9al66Y&feature=fvw
Tree & Plant Care : How to Grow Ginseng at Home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sc4mWfmyxU&feature=related
Wild Ginseng Educational Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-B5uU2ugmQ&feature=related
Wild Ginseng
From the book "Blackberry Cove Herbal: Healing with Common Herbs" by S\Linda Ours Rago here are some excerpts of her work with Ginseng:
"One clear morning just before the Summer Soltics, I drive up to the cabin to look for ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in the deep gap... The ginseng root isn't dug in June but it is easier for me to locate now when it sends up its delicate white blossoms.
My climb down into the gap is successful. I will remember the cool bank where it thrives and then come back in the fall when the roots are bursting with energy.
Deep in the coolest of coves in June our native 'sang' lifts its small foamy umbel of white with filaments like untwisted silk. It is the Panx quinquefolius so highly prized in Chinese medicine and becoming so rare in our mountain woodlands.
The spot where I find and gather ginseng has a distinctive fragrance of rich leaf mold rarely warmed by direct sunlight. It is so steep I slide most of the way down and then climb slowly back up again. I identify a particular ginseng plant in June, mark it with a stake, and then dig up the tuber in late October. Some years I find only a single plant or two, so I just enjoy the beauty and leave them alone. This year I found a little grove of young ginseng plants and one that had matured enought over several years to send up three leaf stems.
I will harvest the fat yellow tuber just before winter when all of the plant energies are down in the root. It will be a good tonic for my family this year.
The fresh roo is pleasantly sweet to the tongue with a bite of characteristic bitterness. A mountain tradition is never to touch the ginseng root with anything made of iron.
The Chinese prescribe it chewed or infused in wine or water for chronic stomach or lung problems and for all ailments associated with old age. It is said to be a sedative to 'animal spirits' as well as an aphrodisiac. Folk wisdom says ginseng is wasted on the young. Save it until you are old.
Our Western scientists have discovered that ginseng is rich in vitamin D. It will raise low blood pressure and seems effective in lifting depression. The most common use is to treat weakness or exhaustion by increasing vitality.
Here is the traditional method to use ginseng. Put a teaspoon of grated fresh root or 1/2 teaspoon of dried root in a cup of water and simmer gently for ten minutes. This should be taken once a day as a tonic or three times a day for a specific condition.
Korean Song in Praise of Ginseng
The branches that grow from my stalk are
three in number, and the leaves are five by five,
the back part of the leaves is turned to
the sky, the upper side downward.
Whoever would find me must look for a
great tree.
American ginseng - Health Pros and Cons
Both American and Asian ginsengs belong to the species Panax and are similar in their chemical composition. Siberian ginseng or Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus ), although part of the same plant family called Araliaceae, is an entirely different plant and does not contain ginsenosides, the active ingredients found in both Asian (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius ).
There are similarities among American, Asian, and Siberian ginsengs. Each of these three herbs is considered an adaptogen, a substance that strengthens the body, helping it return to normal when it has been subjected to prolonged stress. Therefore, they are considered to be valuable supports for those recovering from illness or surgery, especially the elderly.
The root of American ginseng is light tan and gnarled, sometimes resembles the human body. Panax means all illness, and ginseng has been used across the ages in many different cultures as a "cure-all."
Many studies on ginseng have been performed using Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng). There have been positive reports of using Asian ginseng to treat cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems, fatigue, as well as to boost energy and mental performance and to improve quality of life. However, both American and Asian ginsengs contain ginsenosides, and research does exist on this component. Laboratory studies in animals have reported that American ginseng was effective in boosting the immune system, as an antioxidant, protection against heart attacks and protection against kidney damage caused by methamphetamine use. Research on American ginseng has focused on a number of conditions, some of which are described below.
Attention defecit hyperactivity disorder
An early study suggests that American ginseng, in combination with ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), may prove to be of value in helping to treat ADHD. More research in this area is needed.
Alzheimer's disease
Individual reports and animal studies indicate that a component of American ginseng and Asian ginseng, the ginsenosides, may slow the progression of Alzheimer's and improve memory and behavior. Studies of large groups of people are needed to best understand this possible use of American ginseng for slowing Alzheimer's or senility.
Cancer
Studies suggests that regular intake of ginseng may reduce one's chances of getting various types of cancer, especially lung, liver, stomach, pancreatic and ovarian. A laboratory study found that American ginseng may also enhance the effects of medications used to treat breast cancer, potentially allowing the doctor to use less chemotherapy.
Diabetes
While both Asian and American ginsengs appear to lower blood sugar (glucose) levels, American ginseng has been the more studied in scientific trials. Several human studies report a blood sugar lowering effect using American ginseng in patients with type 2 diabetes, both on fasting blood sugar and on postprandial (after eating) glucose levels. One study found that people with type 2 diabetes who took American ginseng before or together with a high sugar load experienced less of an increase in blood glucose levels.
Several studies using laboratory animals report positive effects of using American ginseng and ginsenosides for high blood sugar levels. One recent study using mice found that the American ginseng berry was more effective at lowering blood sugar levels than the root.
More research is needed.
Immune system enhancement
American ginseng is believed to enhance the immune system, which could, in theory, help the body fight off infection and disease. In several clinical studies, American ginseng improved the function of cells playing a role in immunity.
Plant Description:
The American ginseng plant has leaves that grow in a circle around a straight stem. Yellowish-green umbrella-shaped flowers grow in the center and produce red berries. Wrinkles around the neck of the root tell how old the plant is. This is important because American ginseng is not ready for use until it has grown for four to six years. American ginseng is very expensive and is now being grown on farms in order to protect the wild American ginseng from over-harvesting.
What's It Made Of?:
American ginseng products are made from ginseng root and the long, thin offshoots called root hairs. The main chemical ingredients of American ginseng are ginsenosides and polysaccharide glycans (quinquefolans A, B, and C). American ginseng seems to be more relaxing than Asian ginseng, which may have stimulating effects.
Available Forms:
American ginseng (dried) is available in water, water-and-alcohol, or alcohol liquid extracts, and in powders, capsules, and tablets. American ginseng is available with other herbs in several combination formulas.
It is important when buying ginseng to read the label carefully and make sure that you are purchasing the type of ginseng that you want. If you are looking for Asian ginseng, make sure you buy Korean, red, or Panax ginseng. If you are looking for American ginseng, buy a Panax quinquifolium. Siberian ginseng or Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) and Panax notoginseng may also be found in health food stores or pharmacies.
How to Take It:
Pediatric
This herb is not recommended for use in children unless under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.
Adult
•Fresh root: 1 - 2 g, once daily for up to 3 months
•Dried root: 1/2 - 2 g, chew and swallow once daily
•Tincture (1:5): 1 - 2 teaspoonfuls, 1 - 3 times daily
•Fluid extract (1:1): 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoonfuls, 1 - 3 times daily
•Standardized extract: 100 - 200 mg, 1 - 3 times daily, standardized to contain 4 - 5% ginsenosides
Precautions:
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain components that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care provider qualified in the field of botanical medicine.
Reported side effects of taking ginseng include:
•High blood pressure
•Insomnia
•Restlessness
•Anxiety
•Euphoria
•Diarrhea
•Vomiting
•Headache
•Nosebleed
•Breast pain
•Vaginal bleeding
To avoid low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), even in people who do not have diabetes, you should take American ginseng with food.
People with hypertension should not take American ginseng products without specific guidance and instruction from a qualified health care provider. At the same time, people with low blood pressure as well as those with an acute illness or diabetes (because of the risk of a sudden drop in blood sugar), should use caution when taking ginseng.
The safety of taking American ginseng during pregnancy is unknown. Therefore, it is not recommended when pregnant or breastfeeding.
American ginseng should be discontinued at least 7 days prior to surgery. American ginseng can lower blood glucose levels and, therefore, create problems for patients fasting prior to surgery. In addition, American ginseng may act as a blood thinner, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding during or after the procedure.
Possible Interactions:
If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use ginseng without first talking to your health care provider:
Anti-Diabetic medications -- American ginseng may lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, this herb may interfere with the effectiveness of blood sugar lowering prescription medications. Talk with your health care provider before using American ginseng if you are taking medicines for diabetes, including insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents.
Blood thinning medications -- Some reports have indicated that ginsenosides may possibly decrease the effectiveness of warfarin, a blood-thinning medication. In addition, ginsenosides may inhibit platelet activity and, therefore, should probably not be used with aspirin either.
Psychiatric medications -- American ginseng may exaggerate the effects of medications used in various psychiatric disorders, so they should not be taken together. There have been reports of a possible interaction between Asian ginseng and the antidepressant medication, phenelzine (which belongs to a class known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, resulting in symptoms ranging from manic-like episodes to headache and tremulousness
Morphine -- Asian ginseng may block the painkilling effects of morphine.
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/american-ginseng-000248.htm
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