Joe's
Herbs
Ginseng
If ginseng really
did everything that some of it's proponents claim it can do we could
do away with organized medicine. Why? Because they say it has anti-cancer
properties, anti-hyper tension properties, anti-diabetic properties,
anti-aging properties, anti-impotence properties, and it even boosts
your memory. What more can you ask for? How about a little scientific
evidence?
The Chinese have
been using ginseng for over 5000 years. Undoubtedly they were first
intrigued by the fact the ginseng root was shaped like a human body.
Therefore they thought that it was going to be beneficial for the human
body. Indeed the most sought after roots were the ones that had the
little appendage between the two legs because that was supposed to be
the ultimate aphrodisiac. What does modern science say about this? Well
what we say is just because the Chinese have been using it for 5000
years doesn't mean they were using it effectively for 5000 years, we
need the evidence.
Here's the problem.
There are different kinds of ginseng. There's Chinese ginseng, there's
American ginseng, there's Korean ginseng and they have different chemical
profiles. What we think are the most interesting compounds are the ginsenocides.
And that's why when you pick up a ginseng supplement and you look on
the label you'll see 7% ginsenocide. At least an attempt was made to
standardize the product. Of course it doesn't necessarily mean that
what is inside conforms to what is on the label, unfortunately.
Most people who
take ginseng take it because they want extra energy. The studies that
have been done on this certainly do not prove that ginseng can deliver
the goods. A few studies have shown that in animals they can run longer
on treadmills. There's even some human evidence in terms of increased
energy, but for every study that shows a positive effect there are studies
that show no effect at all. Some people suggest that ginseng is an "adaptogen",
that it helps us adapt to the stresses of everyday life. This is very
difficult to control under experimental conditions in studies.
Some people who
have undergone operations say that they are re-energized and get better
more quickly if they take ginseng. So we need a lot more studies, we
need a lot more clinical evidence, but I must admit that there are undoubtedly
physiological properties associated with ginseng because when take some
you do feel something, but of course you feel something if you drink
a cup of coffee as well.
I like the idea
of being energized though, I like the idea of enhanced memory, for sure,
and since I'm kind of feeling a bit tired I wouldn't mind trying a ginseng
supplement, only problem is I can't remember if I took one today or
not.
