Ginseng

Latin name: Radix Ginseng

Chinese Name: RenShen (Ginseng)

Traditional Uses

Actions: Replenishes and supplements original ch’i, expels evil ch’i: supplements lung yin (vital essence), benefits the body fluid of the five viscera (heart liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys); pacifies the spirit, soothes the soul, increases wisdom, and opens the cleverness of the heart; controls palpitations, increases salivation, and clears vision

Pharmacology

(1) Tonifying effect: Ginseng acts on the pituitary and stimulates the adrenal gland, thus increasing the body’s resistance to harmful stimulation or stress, and allows th body to withstand extreme temperatures.

(2) Nervous system-stimulating effect: Ginseng hastens nervous reflexes, speeds up transmission of nervous impulses, increases the intensity of conditioned reflexes, improves the ability to think analytically and overall mental performance, and diminishes fatigue. The crude saponin of ginseng stimulates the central nervous system and acts against muscular fatigue and tension.

(3) Cardiotonic effect: Ginseng causes the heart to contract more strongly, as do the cardio-glycosides. The alcohol extract is more potent in this action than the aqueous extract. Anima studies show that small doses of ginseng cause contraction of peripheral blood vessels, thus slightly increasing blood pressure.

(4) Stimulating sexual functions: Ginseng stimulates the hormones of sex glands, thus increasing sexual function in males and females.

(5) Hypoglycemic effect: Ginseng affects metabolism and lowers blood sugar level by acting synergetically with insulin.

(6) Antidiuretic effect: Ginseng’s antidiuretic action is similar to that of desoxycorticosterone in increasing secretion of aldosterone, causing retention of sodium, thus decreasing excretion of urine.

(7) Effect on digestion, absorption, and metabolism: Ginseng increases protein synthesis and also appetite, and causes a lowering of blood cholesterol.

(8) Antiallergic effect: Ginseng decreases allergic shock caused by horse blood serum, and dramatically inhibits edema due to allergy. These actions are probably due to ginseng’s antihistamine actions.

(9) Other effects:

(a) Ginsenoside R₁ possesses a slight sedative action.

(b) Ginsenoside R_b2, R_e, R_g1 stimulates DNA, protein, and fat synthesis in mice bone-marrow cells.

(c) Ginsenoside-R_g1 diminishes fatigue.

(d) Ginsenoside-R_b1 prevents blood hemolysis.

(e) Ginseng promotes the process of hemopoiesis.

Reference: Hung-yen Hsu, Ph.D. and Associates: Oriental Materia Medica A Concise Guide 1986, Keats Publishing