Ginseng As A Cold And Flu Remedy
Rebecca Prescott
Ginseng is a very popular herbal supplement, and is used for a host of
problems. These can range from improvements in memory, poor
concentration, fatigue, hypotension, problems associated with aging,
mild depression, and even giving birth!
There are two types of ginseng that are used medicinally. Panax ginseng
is also known as Asian ginseng. It is this variant that has a long
history of use in China and other Asian countries. American ginseng is
not considered as effective as Panax ginseng, though it may suit some
people better.
Siberian ginseng is actually not in the same genus as Panax and
American ginseng, and its active constituents are also quite different.
Thus, even though it is nicknamed 'ginseng', it is actually not a
ginseng. To get a sense of the differences in plant classification that
a genus represents, look at the term 'homo sapien', as applied to
humans. The genus is represented by the term 'Homo'. 'Sapiens' is used
to name the species. Both American and Asian ginseng belong to the same
genus - 'Panax'.
Another important difference between Siberian 'ginseng' and the Panax
varieties, is that Siberian ginseng does not contain ginsenosides.
Ginsenosides are found only in plants belonging to the Panax genus.
They are believed to be responsible for ginseng's medicinal effects,
and there are a number of different variants that have slightly
different effects. The exact amounts of the different ginsenosides
predominant in various ginseng plants does vary - even from plant to
plant. Things like where the plants were grown, and how old they were
when they were harvested, can all have an impact on their ginsenoside
content. For this reason, it really pays to get good quality ginseng,
whether it's the American or Asian variety you're after.
Whilst there have been problems of credibility associated with some
ginseng studies, possibly related to the variety in strength and
quality of the supplements used, there have been good quality studies
as well.
Ginseng For Colds
One study, from the University of Western Ontario and the University of
Alberta, was designed as a placebo controlled, randomized, double blind
study of 170 people between the ages of 18 and 65 years. This is
considered a good-quality study design amongst scientists. They used a
standardized extract of American ginseng, which came in a 200g capsule,
with 80% poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides from the root.
The people in the study had a history of getting at least 2 colds in
the previous year. They were told to take 2 capsules of either ginseng
or the placebo (they didn't know which they were getting), every day
for 4 months. The trial started at the beginning of the cold and flu
season.
The results were interesting. Of those taking ginseng, only 10% got two
or more colds, compared to 22.8% of those taking the placebo. This was
comparable with the results of common antiviral drugs that are used to
prevent or treat flu. And of those who took the ginseng but still got
sick, their symptoms were less severe.
Thus ginseng may provide a valuable immune boost to those who are
susceptible to winter colds. This is especially valid for the elderly,
as ginseng has been shown to have other important benefits for memory
and aging.
References: Nutraingredients
For more information on the herbal medicine ginseng, click here:
http://www.vitaminstohealth.com/ginseng.html Rebecca presents articles
on herbal remedies here:
http://www.vitaminstohealth.com
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