Ginseng

[palehorse]

Hi everyone, I could not find much information here on PA about ginseng, so I am creating this thread with the intention to collect as much info as possible, specially regarding to side effects (if any) and of course the benefits when adding ginseng into our regular diet.

From a quick search on g00gle here is what I get:

"Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken for more than 6 months. It might have some hormone-like effects that could be harmful when used long-term. The most common side effect is trouble sleeping. Uncommon side effects that have been reported include severe rash, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions."

"Like any supplement, ginseng has its share of side effects, some of which are serious. Many drugs interact poorly with it. Zanini tells us that she's seen reports of ginseng users experiencing diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, rapid heartbeat, blood pressure fluctuations, and more."

from BS mainstream websites like webmed, healthline, etc..


Common name for ginseng: Asian Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer, Siberian Ginseng, Indian Ginseng. Don't know yet major differences between them all, seems like not the same plant.

I don't have any accurate info on Ginseng on my computer to supplement this thread and I don't want to rely on mainstream for that, so please feel free to contribute with whatever knowledge you have.


Some of the benefits include: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer effects, and it also has adaptogenic properties so it should not be toxic, but as I quoted above some results included "liver damage" as severe side effects for long term users, the only time I had some ginseng was in my coffee a good while ago.

In Asia the market is flooded with Ginseng, so it may have the benefits after all.

Thanks everyone :highfive:


[update]

An article from 2008, only the abstract

"Korean Panax ginseng C A Meyer is mainly used to maintain the homeostasis of the body, and the pharmacological efficacy of Korean ginseng identified by modern science includes improved brain function, pain-relieving effects, preventive effects against tumors as well as anti-tumor activity, enhanced immune system function, anti-diabetic effects, enhanced liver function, adjusted blood pressure, anti-fatigue and anti-stress effects, improved climacteric disorder and sexual functions, as well as anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects. Further clinical studies of these pharmacological efficacies will continue to be carried out. Korean ginseng is found to have such main properties as ginsenoside, ployacety-lene, acid polysaccharide, anti-oxidative aromatic compound, and insulin-like acid peptides. The number of ginsenoside types contained in Korean ginseng (38 ginsenosides) is substantially more than that of ginsenoside types contained in American ginseng (19 ginsenosides). Furthermore, Korean ginseng has been identified to contain more main non-saponin compounds, phenol compounds, acid polysaccharides and polyethylene compounds than American ginseng and Sanchi ginseng."

Here is the entire article:
https://www.nature.com/articles/aps2008134.pdf
https://www.nature.com/articles/aps2008134

[Brigantia]

From a quick search on g00gle here is what I get:

"Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken for more than 6 months. It might have some hormone-like effects that could be harmful when used long-term. The most common side effect is trouble sleeping. Uncommon side effects that have been reported include severe rash, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions."

I've been taking a ginkgo and ginseng supplement daily for over 20 years, just checked the packet and it says 'panax ginseng extract'. I've had none of these problems that they cite - "diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, rapid heartbeat, blood pressure fluctuations, and more" - not even the "and more".

More mainstream medical scaremongering I guess, health services don't make any money from healthy clients.

[Ewan]

"Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken for more than 6 months. It might have some hormone-like effects that could be harmful when used long-term. The most common side effect is trouble sleeping. Uncommon side effects that have been reported include severe rash, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions."

"Like any supplement, ginseng has its share of side effects, some of which are serious. Many drugs interact poorly with it. Zanini tells us that she's seen reports of ginseng users experiencing diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, rapid heartbeat, blood pressure fluctuations, and more."

from BS mainstream websites like webmed, healthline, etc..



Agreed Brigantia, as Palehorse already alluded to in the bolded comment above, the more a supplement may be beneficial to you the more chance it will get negative info spouted in the control system.

I actually laughed at the "Many drugs interact poorly with it. Zanini tells us that she's seen reports of ginseng users experiencing diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, rapid heartbeat, blood pressure fluctuations, and more.". So it was nothing to do with the other, many, drugs; Ginseng was the culprit!

[Ioneo]

I have been taking it also for over 20 years daily with no side effects. It is known as an anti-aging herb in China and Korea. It is considered to be the king of herbs in Chinese literature. They have used it for thousands of years and I have never read about any serious side effects.

[palehorse]

From a quick search on g00gle here is what I get:

"Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken for more than 6 months. It might have some hormone-like effects that could be harmful when used long-term. The most common side effect is trouble sleeping. Uncommon side effects that have been reported include severe rash, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions."

I've been taking a ginkgo and ginseng supplement daily for over 20 years, just checked the packet and it says 'panax ginseng extract'. I've had none of these problems that they cite - "diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, rapid heartbeat, blood pressure fluctuations, and more" - not even the "and more".

More mainstream medical scaremongering I guess, health services don't make any money from healthy clients.


Many thanks Brigantia, that is wonderful to know, 20 years is such a great time frame experiencing ginseng and sure it has the benefits and no side effects. Unfortunately the medical tyranny is attacking everything good for the body.

Yesterday I was just looking for ginseng to introduce into my diet, but then I could not find anything with my data and I decided to use g00gle, stupid me all the results were garbage just like the ones I quoted above. It is actually unbelievable how they demonize the plant.. wow I was surprised to be frank.





..
Agreed Brigantia, as Palehorse already alluded to in the bolded comment above, the more a supplement may be beneficial to you the more chance it will get negative info spouted in the control system.

I actually laughed at the "Many drugs interact poorly with it. Zanini tells us that she's seen reports of ginseng users experiencing diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, rapid heartbeat, blood pressure fluctuations, and more.". So it was nothing to do with the other, many, drugs; Ginseng was the culprit!


Exactly Ewan, they are demonizing all these good plants. I had the strong feeling it was so out of touch that I decided to ask here on PA about it, because that was nothing I remember from ginseng, around 2007 I am sure I remember people talking about it how good it was, great tea to drink, etc... so many benefits and nowadays it is so bad to the point to poisoning our liver.. typical case of inversion.

[palehorse]

I have been taking it also for over 20 years daily with no side effects. It is known as an anti-aging herb in China and Korea. It is considered to be the king of herbs in Chinese literature. They have used it for thousands of years and I have never read about any serious side effects.


Thanks Ioneo, another great long term experiencing ginseng. Many thanks really.

[Ioneo]

By the way, in Korea they sell regular ginseng and a more potent red ginseng. Both are available in freeze dry powder packets. It also comes in a black gluey ball form mixed with honey like a little pill. The powder is easiest to take and you can find it on Amazon.

[Craig]

As a side note, in the late 80's I was a young whippersnapper trying to learn karate and I remember buying off my sensei a packet of ginseng, it was like 10 glass vials where you used a cutting stone to cut off the top of the vial and were meant to drink it through very small straws but the taste was so repulsive we would just gulp it down and scream.

I would like to revisit it again but wouldn't have a clue on where to start as i can't remember anything more than the above.

now i take siberian ginseng tablets on days where i need a bit of extra pep but being mass produced it is probably more placebo than the real thing?

[palehorse]

As a side note, in the late 80's I was a young whippersnapper trying to learn karate and I remember buying off my sensei a packet of ginseng, it was like 10 glass vials where you used a cutting stone to cut off the top of the vial and were meant to drink it through very small straws but the taste was so repulsive we would just gulp it down and scream.

I would like to revisit it again but wouldn't have a clue on where to start as i can't remember anything more than the above.

now i take siberian ginseng tablets on days where i need a bit of extra pep but being mass produced it is probably more placebo than the real thing?


Hi Craig, is this one you are referring to?

TY-RhV7S2yY

I didn't know they sell it in vials like that, interesting thanks for bringing this up, certainly it is a possibility.


~~~

I am coming out of Ashva-gandha (Withania somnifera) from the sanskrit meaning "horse-smell", as the name says it does smell really strong, it is supposed to support general wellness, but so far I can't feel any benefit from it except if I take it during the day, it will make me feel lazy, so 2 months now using and testing the results and nothing except the the sedative properties it contains, so advice to take it at night NOT during the day, specially if you have to drive or need lots of attention, I don't blame it but it didn't work for me as I expected, Chamomile tea did a way better job for me, even poppy seeds tea works much better it actually make you sleep and not only give the lazy and tiredness feeling. So I will stick with Chamomile tea for that purpose and it also smells good and taste even better.

I want to start with Ginseng but here is the question for those doing it for long term, does it give that boost in energy? Can you feel it?
I am going to try it, but I still deciding which one to start (Maybe the Korean one which is easier to find here), I want to do a 3 months round at least and observe the results.

I hope the information in this thread help others as well to find out what work well for them.

[Craig]

As a side note, in the late 80's I was a young whippersnapper trying to learn karate and I remember buying off my sensei a packet of ginseng, it was like 10 glass vials where you used a cutting stone to cut off the top of the vial and were meant to drink it through very small straws but the taste was so repulsive we would just gulp it down and scream.

I would like to revisit it again but wouldn't have a clue on where to start as i can't remember anything more than the above.

now i take siberian ginseng tablets on days where i need a bit of extra pep but being mass produced it is probably more placebo than the real thing?


Hi Craig, is this one you are referring to?

TY-RhV7S2yY

I didn't know they sell it in vials like that, interesting thanks for bringing this up, certainly it is a possibility.


~~~

I am coming out of Ashva-gandha (Withania somnifera) from the sanskrit meaning "horse-smell", as the name says it does smell really strong, it is supposed to support general wellness, but so far I can't feel any benefit from it except if I take it during the day, it will make me feel lazy, so 2 months now using and testing the results and nothing except the the sedative properties it contains, so advice to take it at night NOT during the day, specially if you have to drive or need lots of attention, I don't blame it but it didn't work for me as I expected, Chamomile tea did a way better job for me, even poppy seeds tea works much better it actually make you sleep and not only give the lazy and tiredness feeling. So I will stick with Chamomile tea for that purpose and it also smells good and taste even better.

I want to start with Ginseng but here is the question for those doing it for long term, does it give that boost in energy? Can you feel it?
I am going to try it, but I still deciding which one to start (Maybe the Korean one which is easier to find here), I want to do a 3 months round at least and observe the results.

I hope the information in this thread help others as well to find out what work well for them.

Hi Palehorse,

no, not quite, the vial I am thinking of was possibly 1/3 that size but was like blown glass vial, ie it was all glass and you had to like scratch a line around the narrow part at the top and then break it off.... again going back 40 odd years and i am realizing now that my memory is not what it once was? Also the last 72 hours my sleep patterns have been thrown into complete disarray what sleep I do manage is punctured by the weirdest dreams

[palehorse]

I was doing some more digging on Ginseng and found out this video of Joe Hollis. what a wealth of information!!!

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[palehorse]

I was wondering if ginseng grows in tropical climates, but apparently it hates hot and humid weather, so here is a short profile on this plant for anyone willing to try.

Climate: temperate, cold winter and mild summer, it is imperative the chilling period to break the dormancy (cold winters to dormancy and chilling (cool to moderate temps.) for sprout).
Temperature: average annual temps. ranges from 5°C to 20°C.
Soil: well drained, very rich with mulch and organic decomposing matter, pH from 5.5 to 7.0 seem good.
Light: shaded areas, under trees canopy or in the forest. No direct sunlight necessary.

Despite the different types of ginseng their growing conditions are basically the same as mentioned above, however there are subtle differences regarding weather tolerance and soil, for example American Ginseng prefers cooler, grows literally in the wild forests. The Asian Ginseng is more adaptable to different soil type but still require a cooler climate, that said for Panax species.

In other words, it requite cold climate and it take many years to grow mature, usually 7-10 years for harvest for optimal benefits.

Here is a video showing how to do it:
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and here is another plant Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) with very similar compounds found in ginseng, a short video here explaining a bit of it:
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