Ginseng is an herbal supplement that is becoming more and more popular in today’s society. Tests have been done on both animals and humans to determine if this supplement does, in fact, have the healthful benefits that it is believed to have. The effectiveness has not always been definitively proven. Much more research is needed to know if ginseng is, in fact as beneficial as many of us believe it to be.
Ginseng has been shown to have possible healthful effects on many of the systems in our body, as well as many health conditions that people face all over the world. Once again, there has not been enough research done to be certain that the benefits are long-lasting and without any adverse long-term effects.
Ginseng has been shown to have an antioxidant effect on the body. This shows that ginseng can potentially help people who have heart conditions. Ginseng use has been shown to reduce the oxidation of “bad” cholesterol and brain tissues in the body. Suggesting that taking ginseng can help to reduce “bad” cholesterol, therefore; benefiting the heart. Currently, evidence is not strong enough to suggest that using ginseng can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Some studies have shown that ginseng may have a positive effect on the body’s immune system. Patients that had ginseng injections had an improvement in body weight, the quality of their life, and a better immune response when undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Because the ginseng was used in conjunction with other medications, this study was not conclusive; more tests need to be done to determine the effects of ginseng by itself. Taking ginseng orally, either in powder form or extract is thought to help reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer.
The effects of ginseng on the body’s immune system are apparent when used with other herbs, but not conclusive to the effects that ginseng alone has on the immune system. Using ginseng in combination with other herbal supplements can improve cell activity in the body and help to promote healing as well as the body’s ability to fight infection.
Ginseng has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in people who suffer from type 2 diabetes. The long-term effects are still unknown, but there is promising evidence that ginseng can help those people maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Some studies have shown that ginseng can improve lung function and capacity in people who suffer from cardiopulmonary disease; COPD. More testing needs to be done to reach a definite conclusion on how ginseng can affect the lungs.
Ginseng is believed to help men treat erectile dysfunction, and increase fertility. In women, ginseng may help to combat some symptoms of menopause, without changing the levels of hormones in their body.
Ginseng may be able to help the ability to think clearly and learn new things. Benefits of this have been seen in children as well as elderly adults. This is wonderful news for people who suffer from ADHD, forgetfulness, and many other disturbing illnesses and conditions many of us experience throughout our lives.
For many, many years, ginseng has been used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions. Conditions that affect almost every part of the human body. From helping a minor cut to heal faster, to more serious neurological disorders, ginseng has been used. In more recent times, tests and studies have been done to validate its usefulness. There is evidence that ginseng is healthful and has many benefits, but currently, there is not enough evidence to prove the healthfulness, or to determine the proper dosages.
The long-term effects are not all known at this time, but it appears that when taken in small recommended doses, serious side-effects seem to be very rare. Some side-effects that have been reported with the use of ginseng are skin rash or spots, itching, diarrhea, sore throat, loss of appetite, excitability, depression, or insomnia. Side-effects that were reported less often are headache, dizziness, fever, chest pain, painful menstrual cramps or difficult menstrual cycles, heartburn, heart palpitations, rapid heart rate, swelling in the legs, nausea or vomiting, and manic episodes in people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The effects of ginseng on the blood pressure are not completely known. It has been shown to both increase and decrease blood pressure. People who have problems with their blood pressure should take caution when using ginseng. The risk of seizure is unknown, although seizures have been reported in people who consume a large amount of energy drinks that contain caffeine guarana, and ginseng, along with other herbal supplements. Due to the combination, it is not known if ginseng was the cause of the seizure in these people.
The benefits and risks of using ginseng are not completely clear. If you want to begin using ginseng, you should talk to your doctor first to discuss both the pros and cons that ginseng can possibly have on your health. Much research leads us to believe that overall, ginseng is safe to use, but talking to your doctor before beginning to use it is the best option.
