Both American and Korean ginseng belong to the panax family. Another type of ginseng, Siberian ginseng, is related to these kinds, but does not have the same chemical makekup.
Ginseng is widely known for being an effective immune booster. Studies show that this may in fact be a benefit of ginseng. They’ve done studies with human subjects during cold and flu season. In one, people who took a ginseng product caught fewer colds than did those on a placebo. Those who caught cold on ginseng had the cold for a shorter time.
Both American and Korean ginseng seems to help diabetics control their blood sugar more effectively. One test had diabetics drink a high sugar drink and also take ginseng. Regardless of whether the ginseng was taken before or after the sugary drink, glucose levels didn’t spike as high as it did without ginseng.
Another study suggests that ginseng may also help with ADHD. These findings are preliminary and need to be followed up with more research. Ginseng, in combination with gingko biloba, seems to help with concentration for those with ADHD.
Siberian ginseng, also called eleuthero, can help boost immune function. Studies on eleuthero, using it with another herb, shows that it is capable of reducing severity of both flu and colds, and that it can shorten the length of colds as well.
The role of Siberian ginseng in this is hard to determine since it was used in combination with another herb. It’s hard to tell how much of the effect was from which, or whether they have to be used together. However, research has shown that healthy people who take Siberian ginseng also show improvements in immune function.
Siberian ginseng also helps with viral herpes. A six-month study of Siberian ginseng and its effects on viral herpes showed that sufferers who took the herb had fewer breakouts, and their breakouts were less severe and shorter.
Not all forms of ginseng help with mental function though. Many people believe that all ginseng can help cognitive function but this is not the case. Only eleuthoro does this. A study of middle aged people showed promise, because those taking eleuthoro scored better than did those taking a placebo.
Be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement. You want to have someone who knows your medical history and your medicines verify that the new herb would not cause medicine interactions or negative side effects.
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