American Ginseng

There are three main types of ginseng, American Ginseng being one of them.  American Ginseng has its own individual qualities and is not comparable or synonymous with Panax Ginseng or Eleuthero, also known as Siberian Ginseng.  Unlike Panax Ginseng, American Ginseng has a chemical composition with higher levels of ginsenoside Rb1 and no ginsenoside Rf.

Just like the Chinese, Native Americans have been using the American Ginseng root for years to prevent and treat many medical illnesses and dysfunctions.  It was first grown for use in the late 1800’s.  American Ginseng is grown naturally in the United States.  It can also be cultivated.  American Ginseng is rather quick and easy to grow; it takes about five years for the root to cultivate.  Because of over-harvesting in the United States, harvesting rules and regulations have been set in place to resolve extinction of the plant.

American Ginseng is known as an adaptogen.  It is used to prevent and treat all different types of physical and emotional stress from the common cold to heart disease, cancer and arthritis as well as mental dysfunctions such as aging and memory loss.  Adaptogens strengthen the body in response to stress.  Amercian Ginseng is also known as an aphrodisiac.  It creates sexual stimulation in both men and women. Ginsenosides are found in American Ginseng.  Ginsenosides combat fatigue and stress by supplying oxygen to the body and using oxygen more effectively.  Unlike Asian Ginseng which has a warm, stimulating effect on the body, American Ginseng has a cool, soothing affect on the body.

American Ginseng has many uses and treats many conditions.  It is used to work with the brain and nervous system by treating conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease, depression, cognition, and insomnia.  Its use in cardiovascular care works on improving cardio activity ability, raising good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol levels and decreasing the types of cell dysfunction that may lead to heart attack or stroke.  It is suggested that women take American Ginseng to raise their estrogen levels which may affect the severity of menopause symptoms and increase sexual desire.  The same effects happen with men who take American Ginseng.  Results show that sexual desire and stimulation increase as well as the ability to obtain and maintain an erection from taking the herb.  American Ginseng works with the immune system to stimulate and strengthen it.  The herb is also used in treating many other ailments and illnesses related to insulin, cancers, lung, stomach, liver, and pancreatic conditions, the recovery from surgery or illness in many elderly people.

For those who use American Ginseng for short timeframes, no serious side effects have been reported.  Prolonged use of American Ginseng in some users has reported symptoms such as hypertension, nervousness, headache, and sleeplessness.  It is not known if these side effects are due to American Ginseng itself or to other contaminants that may have been used in growing the herb.

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