American Ginseng Benefits: Is there Evidence of Effects?

American ginseng benefits are purported to include regulating glucose levels, promoting mental clarity, increasing energy and supporting a healthy libido.

However, there is not enough evidence to fully understand the plant’s therapeutic effects. Most purported benefits are based on historic and contemporary uses of ginseng, although some research has been conducted to better understand ginseng’s therapeutic profile.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has been used for centuries as a versatile therapeutic agent, said to offer a number of health benefits to the user. In contemporary studies it has been observed to exhibit anticancer, chemopreventive, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and adaptogenic effects.

The majority of these studies have been conducted in the laboratory or on animal subjects and further tests are required to understand what kind of positive effects the plant may have on human health.

American Ginseng

Herbal Supplement

Immunity

Energy

Mental Focus

How It Works:

• Contains ginsenosides that act as adaptogens
• Supports the immune system
• Boosts energy & cognitive performance

Dosage:

Between 100 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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American Ginseng Benefits

Nevertheless, the list of American ginseng uses continues to grow and the plant is one of the most widely consumed dietary supplements in North America.

It is not commonly associated with severe side effects. Mild side effects may include insomnia, headaches, menstrual problems, itching, rashes, and hypoglycemia.

Ginseng should be taken intermittently. Continuous use is not recommended. In very rare instances, excessive use may cause severe rashes and/or hepatic (liver) disease.

American Ginseng and Heart Disease

Ginseng has been observed to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol levels. It may also decrease the amount of free triglycerides in the blood and encourage fatty acid storage in adipocytes (fat cells).

Further, the active constituents in ginseng have been observed to relax the blood vessels of the heart and lungs.

By increasing blood volume displacement, lowering blood pressure, regulating fat storage and controlling cholesterol, arterial plaque is less likely to form. By inhibiting arterial plaque deposits, the chances of developing atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia and subsequent heart disease are decreased.

American Ginseng Antioxidant Benefits

The main bioactive phytonutrients in Panax quinquefolius are called ginsenosides. These compounds exhibit a number of medicinal properties. For instance, they are known to offer nearly ten times the antioxidant strength as vitamin E.

Ginsenosides may help reduce oxidative stress by working to neutralize free radicals, food toxins and environmental poisons. By reducing oxidative stress, ginsenosides are hypothesized to help impede the development of some preventable diseases and slow the physical effects of aging.

Ginseng’s antioxidant effects may play a role in its observed anticancer actions. Components of ginseng have been observed to exhibit anticancer properties in laboratory tests on cancer cell lines. However, it is not known if these effects will take place in the human body.

American Ginseng Benefits for Energy

Ginseng tea or capsules are often used to combat fatigue. Patients suffering from a chronic lack of energy, either mental, physical or both, have claimed to benefit from ginseng supplementation.

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) has been used to treat low energy conditions for thousands of years in Korea, China, India and much of Asia. American and Asian ginsengs share many of the same components.

Ginseng supplementation is also used to enhance mental function. Learning, attention span, memory and other cognition markers have been observed to improve with routine ginseng use.

American Ginseng and Diabetes

When excessive glucose freely circulates through the body, the pancreas is required to synthesize and release more insulin. Panax quinquefolius is believed to help reduce insulin demands by improving glucose absorption. This may lead to less work for the pancreas while improving blood-glucose levels and limiting the risk of hyperglycemia.

American Ginseng Adverse Effects

A long history of use indicates ginseng is generally well tolerated. The Chinese consider ginseng to be a superior herb, meaning it acts as a normalizing health agent without causing significant negative side effects. Most healthcare professionals and herbalists recommend cycling American ginseng supplements: up to two months of supplementation followed by at least a month without supplementation.

Ginseng may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications. If you take prescription drugs for cancer, hypertension, heart trouble, liver damage, bleeding/clotting disorders, autoimmune diseases, type II diabetes or other medical conditions, then do not use ginseng supplements without the express approval of your doctor.

Pregnant and nursing women should not use ginseng supplements. It is not known if the active substances pass into breast milk, or if they affect fetal development. In one Korean study, ginseng supplementation was correlated with birth defects in animals.

Discuss proper usage and dosage of Panax quinquefolius with your physician before attempting to achieve health benefits with American ginseng supplementation.

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