Chinese Ginseng for Sexual Dysfunction, Fatigue & More

Chinese ginseng is a common name for Panax ginseng. This herb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and other medicinal systems for thousands of years. Records of its use date back to 100 C.E.

In TCM, Chinese ginseng (known as ren shen) is used to invigorate the Qi (vital energy) and tonify the body. It is considered to improve energy and endurance, calm the mind, boost intelligence, improve the production of body fluids and support the spleen and lungs.

Chinese medicine practitioners recommend Ginseng extract to improve “heat syndromes”, to calm irritations in the body and to quiet the mind. This herb is said to support the functions of different organs in the body and is believed to help prolong life.

Today, Chinese ginseng is commonly used to boost energy, enhance cognitive function and athletic function, improve sexual performance and to support the immune system. What are the benefits of this revitalizing herb and what are the possible side effects?

Panax Ginseng

Adaptogen

Energy

Immune Function

Well- Being

How It Works:

• Boosts energy & mental focus
• Supports immune system & restores balance
• Improves mood, sleep quality & endurance

Dosage:

Between 100 - 400 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Chinese Ginseng Review

Chinese Ginseng (Panax Ginseng, “True” Ginseng, Korean Ginseng) is an adaptogenic herb that contains active compounds known as ginsenosides. These natural compounds affect a number of different systems in the body, helping to improve mood, energy, focus and immunity.

According to a historical encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine, “Ginseng [renshen] is sweet and a little cold. It mainly supplements the five viscera. It quiets the essence spirit, settles the ethereal and corporeal souls, checks fright palpitations, eliminates evil qi, brightens the eyes, opens the heart, and sharpens the wits. Protracted taking may make the body light and prolong life.”

Western medicine does not recognize many of the concepts present in traditional Chinese medicine. However, researchers have demonstrated that this herb does exhibit a number of medicinal effects.

Research shows that Chinese ginseng is possibly effective for improving certain markers of ED (erectile dysfunction), premature ejaculation, sexual arousal, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), influenza, fatigue related to MS (multiple sclerosis) and cognitive function.

There is currently insufficient evidence available to rate Chinese ginseng for other uses, including cancer, CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), gastric inflammation, heart failure and more.

Chinese Ginseng for Fatigue

Research shows that Chinese ginseng reduces certain markers of fatigue. Oral administration of two 1-gram doses daily for four weeks has resulted in beneficial effects. A specific measurement showed a 66% decreases in physical fatigue when compared against placebo controls. Mental fatigue was decreased by 50%.

Research into Chinese ginseng has also shown improvements for chronic functional fatigue. Oral administration of a P. ginseng combination supplement improved fatigue symptoms in 20% more patients than a placebo agent did. This combination product contained 40 mg Chinese ginseng along with other vitamins and minerals.

Chinese Ginseng for Sexual Dysfunction

Panax ginseng is used widely for treating sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Improvements have been noted in sperm motility, sperm quantity, intravaginal ejaculatory latency, inability to achieve and maintain erections, libido and overall fertility.

Multiple studies have suggested that taking Chinese ginseng root daily can improve sexual function, particularly in men with erectile dysfunction.

In one randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo controlled human study, juice from Chinese ginseng berries was used to treat ED. 700 mg doses taken twice daily over 8 weeks.

119 men with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction participated. Efficacy was measured with the PEDT (premature ejaculation diagnostic tool) and the IIEF-15 (International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-15).

Individual and total IIEF-15 scores all improved significantly. PEDT scores also strongly improved. Hormone and lipid safety markers remained unchanged throughout the course of the trial.

Results concluded that Chinese ginseng berry juice extract can be used as an alternative medicine for improving sexual function.

Chinese Ginseng for Alzheimer’s Disease

In one randomized study, 61 patients with Alzheimer’s disease were monitored. The group consisted of 37 women and 24 men. Each subject was randomly assigned to one of three test groups.

Fifteen subjects in a “low-dose” group received 4.5 grams of Panax ginseng daily. Fifteen subjects in a “high-dose” group received 9 grams daily. Thirty-one subjects in the control group received a placebo agent.

At the end of this 12-week trial, three separate scales were used to measure the effects. Positive changes in functional and cognitive performance variables were noted in both treatment groups.

Large-scale human trials are warranted to determine the benefits of Chinese ginseng for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, age-related memory loss and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Additional Chinese Ginseng Health Benefits

According to the Natural Medicines database. Chinese ginseng is also used for:

• Improving impaired glucose sensitivity (prediabetes) and type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• Resisting environmental stress and improving feelings of overall well-being;
• Stimulating immunity and increasing athletic/sexual stamina;
• Preventing muscle damage and improving work efficiency;
• Improving cognitive function, memory and concentration;
• Preventing and/or treating anxiety and depression;
• Treating chronic bronchitis, asthma, allergies and other respiratory conditions;

Other uses for Chinese ginseng roots and supplements include preventing and/or treating neurasthenia, hangovers, headaches, vomiting, gallstones, colitis, halitosis (bad breath), common cold, influenza, gastritis, anemia, AIDS, HIV, convulsions, menopause symptoms, loss of hearing, loss of appetite, dizziness, hypertension (high blood pressure), congestive heart failure, and improving skin appearance.

Chinese Ginseng Side Effects

When taken orally and properly, Chinese ginseng causes few adverse effects. It is well tolerated in the majority of users.

When side effects are experienced, insomnia is the most common. In some cases, vaginal bleeding, mastalgia (breast tenderness/pain), amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), high blood pressure (hypertension), low blood pressure (hypotension), diarrhea, pruritus, (severe itching), hyperpyrexia (very high fever), headaches, loss of appetite, vertigo, mania and/or euphoria have been reported.

Rare but serioud Chinese ginseng side effects can also include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, anaphylaxis (acute allergic reaction), cholestatic hepatitis and/or cerebral arteritis.

How to Use Chinese Ginseng

Appropriate oral usage of Chinese ginseng is rated as possibly safe for short-term use up to six months. Using P. ginseng for longer than six consecutive months is possibly unsafe. Usage in pregnant or nursing women is also possibly unsafe.

Infants and children should not use Chinese ginseng. It is rates as likely unsafe. In infants, there have been instances of intoxication and death. Not enough information is available concerning use in older children to determine its safety. Only adults should use Panax ginseng roots and/or supplement products.

Chinese ginseng may interact with certain medications, herbal supplements and diseases. Talk with your doctor about adding a Chinese ginseng supplement to your daily diet. Be sure to mention any prescription drugs and/or supplements you may be taking.

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