One Response to “Ginseng oil- does it have any health benefits?”

1. w_mannan on March 9th, 2009 1:42 am
   

   Ginseng Feedback: The active ingredients of ginseng (American and Asian) are called “ginsenosides.” These ingredients are reported to have an ability to improve stamina and learning capacity, to act as a sedative and to help control low blood sugar. Due to the structure and concentration of the active ingredients, American ginseng may be more suitable for individuals who are coffee drinkers, overweight, or have insomnia and Asian ginseng may be more suitable for individuals who do not have high blood pressure, are athletic, but feel fatigued or have high stress jobs.

   Research suggests that Asian ginseng may be involved in a complex interaction of hormonal pathways that regulate the body’s response to stress. Asian ginseng has been recommended for use by people who are athletes, fatigued or have high stress jobs. Compared to placebo, one study has demonstrated improved mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks of therapy. This effect was noted to decrease with continued therapy.

   Other studies have looked at Asian ginseng’s potential support for better overall health in diabetics. By affecting the adrenal gland, Asian ginseng may play a role in the regulation of insulin production. An animal study evaluated obese diabetic mice who received panax ginseng berry extract and its major component, ginsenoside Re, for twelve days. On the twelfth day the mice had normal blood sugar levels and had significantly improved glucose or sugar tolerance. Other effects observed were reduced cholesterol as well as weight loss due to less food consumption, increased body temperature and increased energy. Studies also suggest that Asian ginseng may support healthy function of the adrenal gland in people who do not have diabetes.

   Depending on the dosage taken, Asian ginseng may also have hyper- or hypotensive properties. At lower doses, it may raise blood pressure while lowering blood pressure at higher doses. Asian ginseng may also support cardiovascular health by lowering total cholesterol levels, raising HDL, or “good,” cholesterol levels, and making the blood less thick.

   Other benefits ginseng may offer include: estrogen-like activity for support of symptoms of menopause, reduced risk of viral infection, anti-cancer and anti-aging effects on cells, protective effects for chemotherapy and radiation therapy patients, and enhanced recovery from surgery.

   Both American and Asian / Korean ginseng are taken are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants and in the treatment of type II diabetes, including sexual dysfunction in men.

   Research has shown that it has a specific affinity for the spleen and lungs. Therefore, ginseng is widely used as a tonic for the spleen, kidney and adrenal function, and lungs, and generically used as a restorative for vital energy in the body. In general, most people find ginseng energy boosting.

   Traditional Chinese herbal medicine also uses ginseng for the treatment of various other wide-ranging conditions like asthma, weak pulse, hypertension, diabetes, insomnia, angina, congestive heart failure, lack of appetite, rectal prolapsed and heart palpitations.

   In the western pharmacopeias, ginseng is listed as an energy booster and memory aid. It has also gained a reputation to being a sexual stimulant and an elixir for treatment of impotence. Many have found ginseng sex enhancing.

   In addition, ginseng is commonly seen as a benefic in the area of gastrointestinal disorders, and also a promoter of long life.

   Although these claims of the health benefits of ginseng may seem very generic and have not been studied in clear quantifiable forms in laboratory experiments, most studies have registered marked improvement in energy, memory functions and performance, especially when individual has complains of tiredness and listlessness.

   Ginseng is also frequently used for skin problems. . Ginseng is used in natural skin care products for its toning and vitalising effects on the skin. Ginseng helps to balance the oil gland production and improves the skin texture by preventing the formation of wrinkles. Hence, it is used in skin care creams, lotions, toners, etc.

   Of course, to achieve the desired health effects of ginseng, and to ensure the efficacy of ginseng products, top quality sources of the herb must be obtained. This can be a great challenge, in view of the influx of substandard ginseng supplements available in the market today.

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