Scientific Evidence for the Health Benefits of American Ginseng
American Carrot (Panax quinquefolis) is an herb that grows mainly in North America. This herb has been taken orally for stress, immune system boosting, American Ginseng as a stimulant.
It is also often used to fight infections such as colds and flu.
This is because several scientific studies have shown that it may help prevent these and make the symptoms milder when an infection does occur.
And it is used for other infections, including HIV/AIDS, intestinal infections (dysentery), and certain infections common in people with cystic fibrosis (Pseudomonas infections). Some people use American ginseng to improve digestion and loss of appetite, as well as for vomiting, inflammation of the colon (colitis), and inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis).
It is also used for anemia, diabetes, insulin resistance related to HIV treatment, cancer-related fatigue, high blood pressure, sleep disorders (insomnia), neuralgia, erectile dysfunction (ED), fever, hangover symptoms, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), blood and bleeding disorders, breast cancer, dizziness, headaches, cramps, fibromyalgia, "atherosclerosis" ( atherosclerosis), memory loss, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, anti-aging aids that improve motor skills, menopausal symptoms, complications during pregnancy or childbirth, improved mental capacity as a nervous breakdown (neurasthenia) and there was also evidence to suggest these possibilities.
The evidence from scientific studies is as follows
Things that probably have an effect.
With regard to diabetes, 2 grams of American ginseng taken orally up to two hours before a meal can lower post-meal blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics, but taking more does not appear to have a significant effect.
Some American ginseng products may have different effects. This is because they contain different amounts of an active chemical called ginsenosides.
With regard to respiratory infections, some studies suggested that taking a specific American ginseng extract called CVT- E002 at 200-400 mg twice a day for 3-6 months during flu season may prevent cold or flu symptoms in adults between the ages.
For people over 65 years old, a flu shot may be needed in the second month at the same time as this treatment to reduce the risk of getting the flu or cold.
However, it may not help prevent cold and flu-like symptoms in patients with weakened immune systems.
No or little evidence of efficacy.
As for athletic performance, taking 1600 mg of American ginseng orally for 4 weeks does not seem to improve athletic performance, but may reduce muscle damage during exercise.
Studies on insulin resistance caused by HIV treatment have shown that taking capsules containing 1 gram of American ginseng root three times a day for 14 days with indinavir medication, a type of HIV treatment, does not reduce indinavir-induced insulin resistance in healthy people.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) With regard to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there is also evidence from research that certain products containing American ginseng extract combined with ginkgo biloba extract may help improve ADHD symptoms such as anxiety, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children ages 3-17.
With regard to breast cancer, several studies conducted in China suggest that breast cancer patients treated with all forms of ginseng feel as if they are having good results. However, this may not be the result of taking ginseng. This is because the patients in this study were also more likely to be treated with the prescription cancer drug tamoxifen.
It is difficult to know how much benefit there is to ginseng.
With regard to cancer-related fatigue, studies on the effects of American ginseng in people with cancer-related fatigue have been inconsistent. One study showed that taking 700-2000 mg of American ginseng daily for 8 weeks did not reduce fatigue in cancer patients. However, other studies have shown a 51% reduction in fatigue when 2000 mg of ginseng is taken twice a day for 8 weeks.
The conflicting results may be due to the different methods used to measure fatigue in the studies.
In terms of mental performance, it has been suggested that a single 100-400 mg dose of American Ginseng 1-6 hours prior to a mental test improves short-term memory and reaction time in healthy individuals.
Evidence on the effects of American ginseng in people with hypertension is also inconsistent. One study showed that taking 1500 mg of American ginseng twice a day for 12 weeks did not lower blood pressure. However, other studies show that taking 1000 mg of American ginseng extract three times a day for 12 weeks lowers blood pressure in people with diabetes and hypertension.
The differences in these studies may be related to the amount of ginsenosides, the active chemical in American ginseng, contained in the products used.
Early studies on menopausal symptoms suggested that taking a product containing American ginseng, black cohosh, dong quai, thistle, red clover, and vitex agnus-catus twice a day for three months reduced menopausal symptoms. However, it is not clear whether these effects are caused by American ginseng or other ingredients in the product.
Early research on schizophrenia indicates that American Ginseng may improve some psychiatric symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Taking 100 mg of a specific American ginseng extract called HT1001 twice a day for four weeks improves the patient's ability to retain visual information for short periods of time.
This treatment may also reduce some physical side effects of antipsychotic drugs.
However, it does not improve other psychiatric symptoms.
It is also expected to have these other effects, but no hard evidence has been obtained.
Aging.
Anemia.
Digestive disorders.
Dizziness.
Fever.
Fibromyalgia.
Gastritis.
Hangover symptoms.
Headaches.
Memory loss.
Nerve pain.
Pregnancy and childbirth complications.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Swine flu.
How does American Ginseng affect the human body?
American Ginseng contains a chemical called ginsenosides that may affect insulin levels in the body and lower blood sugar.
Other chemicals, called polysaccharides, may affect the immune system.
Safety Issues
American Ginseng is considered to be very safe when taken properly by mouth in the short term.
Doses of 100-3000mg per day have been used safely for up to 12 weeks.
Single doses of up to 10 grams have also been used safely. In addition, a specific American ginseng extract called CVT-E002 (Cold-FX, Afexa Life Sciences, Canada) has also been used safely for up to 6 months.American ginseng, when taken orally, can cause side effects such as diarrhea, itching, sleep disturbances (insomnia), headaches, and nervousness.
In some individuals, it may cause rapid heartbeat, increased or decreased blood pressure, breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding in women, and other side effects.
Rare side effects that have been reported include a severe rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions.
