Saturday, February 28, 2009

Sexual Health, Sparkling Desire

Panax ginseng is especially prized throughout the worl energy, virility and mental clarity.

Dr. Andrew Weil, a world famous medical doctor who advocates the use of integrative approaches to healthyd for its role in promoting healthy aging, sexual aging, also includes Panax ginseng in his recommendations for sexual potency.

He describes Panax ginseng as “a good stimulant and sexual energizer” that boosts energy overall and helps dispel occasional fatigue.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Be Related & Calm with Panax Ginseng

The effects of occasional on overall health have only recently come to light. Mental health is not the only aspect of our health affected by stress. Scientists now tell us that stress can lead to many health problems if we do not find ways to reduce its effects in our lives. Numerous studies show the effectiveness of Panax ginseng as a stress regulator.

Indian researchers concluded that Panax ginseng contains potent anti-stress compounds and can be used to remedy stress-induced problems.

The anti-stress properties of ginseng’s saponins and ginsenosides were evaluated by researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. They concluded that these unique compounds played a protective role against the effects of stress on the brain.

Sources: Journal of Pharmacological Sciences (December 2003)

* Pharmacological Research (July 2006)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Immune Health & Panax Ginseng

Researchers conducting ginseng studies at two different Chinese Universities came to similar conclusions regarding the beneficial effects of ginseng on healthy immunity. They found that saponins from ginseng help boost the cell mediated immune system as well as promoting antibody production.

At Emory University School of Medicine in the US, researchers in the Department of Microbiology found that ginseng also played a positive role during cold and flu season.

Sources: J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. (2007) * Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Bao/ Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials (2007) Vaccine (2007)

Monday, February 2, 2009

Blood Sugar & Panax Ginseng

Sweet Stopper
Researchers from universities in Korea, the USA, Great Britain, China, Hong Kongand Taiwan are just a few of the many scientists who have published their ginseng study results in international journals.

Their conclusions about the effects of Panax ginseng on blood sugar levels are consistently similar. They report that Panax ginseng regulates insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance; may be used as an adjuvant for management of insulin resistance; helps regulate fasting blood glucose levels and exhibits glucose-modulating effects.

Sources: British Journal of Nutrition (2006) * Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials (2006) * Neuroscience Letters (2007) * Hormone and Metabolism Research (2007) Phytomedicine (2007) * Journal of Agricultural Food & Chemistry (2007) * Clinical Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology (2006)

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Healthy Aging & Ginseng

Active compounds in ginseng are being described by research scientists as having great value in supporting health as the risk of age-related problems increases.

Articles published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2006 and 2007 by researchers at medical colleges in China concluded that ginsenosides help regulate brain aging and have a neuro supportive (nerve-supporting) effect on the brain.

Austrian and Spanish researchers also found Panax ginseng’s ginsenosides to exert neuro supportive actions, suggesting they are a “valuable option” to promote neurological health.
A review of ginseng studies by doctors in Egypt was published in the Journal of Pharmacological Sciences. The reviewers confirmed that recent research shows ginseng exerts beneficial effects on aging and nerve-related problems.

Sources: Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2006, 2007 * Acta Neurobioliae Experimenatlis (2005, 2006) * Journal of Pharmacological Sciences (2006)

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Ginseng’s Active Agents

Ginseng’s effectiveness can not be traced to only one particular active agent or constituent. It is the complex relationship between the many naturally occurring agents that gives ginseng its special properties. The most commonly studied active components of ginseng, however, include a family of saponins called ginsenosides.

Saponins
The word saponins comes from the Latin word (sapo) meaning soap. Indeed the frothiness that occurs when Bing Han Ginseng and water are mixed together and well-shaken is an indication of the presence of saponins. The plant kingdom is rich in saponins, which act as critical defenders for the plants immune system.

Ginsenosides
Ginsenosides are the special type of saponins found in mature Panax ginseng roots. There are more than 20 ginsenosides that have been discovered in ginseng. The highest concentrations of ginsenosides are found in the smaller size roots and root fiber. This is one of the reasons that Bing Han Ginseng powder is always made from the whole dried root including all the delicate little root tendrils. These cell protective substances have been found to have a wide range of health-promoting effects.

Panaxdioles & Panaxtrioles
A bioactive subgroup found within ginsenosides, panaxdioles and panaxtrioles These substances are thought to exert positive, modulating effects on the central nervous system.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

The History & Lore of Ginseng

Body . Mind . Spirit .

Royal Root
More precious than gold to ancient Chinese emperors, historical records indicate that Panax ginseng has been in use by royals since long before the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Treasured and revered for its almost mythical power to bring health, virility and long life, its use was forbidden to all but royalty - sometimes by penalty of death.

Traditional Uses
Long before scientists began to study ginseng, the traditional healers and herbalists of China study and recorded the effects of using Panax ginseng. Ancient medical texts describe ginseng in nearly magical terms. These records refer to ginseng in this way: “Ginseng calms the mind, brings harmony to the soul, eliminates fears, and drives away evil spirits. It also makes the eyes shine, opens the heart, and clarifies thinking. If taken long enough, it strengthens the body and extends life.” Panax ginseng’s historical role as an aphrodisiac is still greatly appreciated today.

Most Famous Herb
Looking very much like the form of a human body, it is no wonder that the Chinese name for ginseng is “ren-shen” which roughly translated means "man-root." This remarkably beautiful and unique plant has long been distinguished as China’s most famous herb. With more than 11,000 different herbs recorded for use in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, ginseng was and still is considered the “king” of all Chinese herbs.

How Panax Got Its Name
Linnaeus, the father of modern botany, assigned the genus name “Panax” (a Greek word translated as "all-heal") to Chinese ginseng because he was well aware of its vast and varied use in Chinese herbalism.

Nature’s Timeless Tonic
Some traditions are just too perfect to change. Like taking ginseng. For literally thousands of years Panax ginseng use has been a foundation of Chinese health care traditions. In recent years, this prized herb has made its way to the Western world where its role as a timeless tonic continues.

The word tonic originates from a Greek word meaning "stretch." Indeed, a true tonic, such as Panax ginseng stretches, tones, strengthens, and invigorates the body’s natural healing system the way physical exercise tones muscles. It is still revered today, all around the world, for its seemingly endless power to make and keep us well.