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The word ginseng comes from the Chinese term “renshen” or the Cantonese jan sang, meaning man root. This, in turn, was named because the root has a forked shape that resembles the legs of a man. The English pronunciation is conjured from reading the Chinese characters with Japanese interpretations.
In herbal medicine, ginseng benefits have been profound and are preached like the gospel by many. However, there is still some controversy as to the actual effectiveness of the supplement. It is marketed as an adaptogen, which is a supplement that decreases the effects of stress on the body. Because of the properties of ginseng, including antioxidants and anticarcinogens, this would seem to make sense. However, studies previously done with animals have not proven these results. |
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The Controversy of Ginseng Benefits.
Ginseng, as an oral treatment, is also touted as a supplemental treatment for other ailments, including type II diabetes and sexual dysfunction in men. The root can also be used as an aphrodisiac or stimulant in some cases, perhaps leading to the assistance in treating sexual dysfunction. In a 2002 study by the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, it was shown that the herbal supplement does enhance libido and copulatory performance, most likely due to stimulation of the nervous system and gonadal tissues in men. Some forms of ginseng seem to inhibit characteristics that could be associated with cancer in lab animals, though there is no clear effect on humans. However, research continues and hopes are high.
Part of the problem with learning about ginseng benefits is that, because the root cannot be patented, no one has the exclusive rights to the product and, therefore, the results of studies are all over the board. They come from hundreds of directions and are geared towards discovering a multitude of properties, none of which amount to anything specific. Therefore, research has been slow and inefficient, with results varying and sometimes even contradicting.
What has been found about ginseng is that there are some minor side effects to the usage of the herbal stimulant for some. The most common is insomnia, or inability to sleep. However, in rare cases, changes in blood pressure (high and low), nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and euphoria have been experienced.
Because it is herbal and side effects are minimal or nonexistent in most cases, ginseng is considered to be safe in even large doses. Be aware of the type of ginseng you are taking, however, because some types, such as notoginseng (often called Asian Ginseng in the United States), can be toxic or even deadly in large dosages (10 grams for this particular type). Symptoms of an overdose are uncontrolled internal bleeding and restlessness, followed by muscle spasms. While there are only two cases of death by overdose of the herb on record, it can be a serious concern if you do not watch for the symptoms. See a doctor immediately if this is experienced to remedy the situation.
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