Ginseng and Your Health

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Both American and Korean ginseng belong to the panax family. Another type of ginseng, Siberian ginseng, is related to these kinds, but does not have the same chemical makekup.

Many people believe ginseng to boost the immune system. This may be the case. Studies that compared the effects of taking ginseng to taking a placebo, carried out during cold and flu season, showed that those who took the ginseng caught fewer colds. Also, when those on ginseng did catch cold, they got better more quickly.

Both American and Korean ginseng are also useful for controlling blood sugar in diabetics. One experiment used ginseng and sugary drinks to see if the ginseng could help type 2 diabetics control their sugar better. It worked. Those who took ginseng, before or after a sugary drink, had less of a spike in blood sugar than did those who did not take ginseng.

Ginseng also seems to help with ADHD, although these findings are preliminary. More research is required to conclusively prove benefit. A combination of ginseng and gingko biloba seemed to aid concentration in people with ADHD.

Siberian ginseng, also known as eleuthero, boosts immune function. One study used eleuthero in combination with another herb, and showed that the combination lowered severity of both cold and flu. It also shortened the length of colds suffered.

Problem is, with the study structured the way it was, it is impossible to know which herb did the most work. It may also be that herbs should be used in combination to have the same effect. However, we know that healthy people have shown less than Siberian Ginseng also improve immune system function.

Siberian ginseng helps the herpes virus. A six-month trial of Siberian ginseng and its effects on herpes virus showed that patients taking the herb had a few buttons, and skin rash are less severe and shorter.

Most people think that all types of ginseng to stimulate mental functions. Thisisn't so. Only eleuthoro seems to have this effect. A study on middle aged people showed that those who took eleuthoro scored better on testing than those who were given placebo.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking ginseng or any other supplement for the first time. You need the advice of someone who knows your medical history and the medicines you take currently, to make sure the supplement is a good idea for you.