Panax Ginseng

Latin Name: Panax ginseng/ P. quinquefolium
Family: Araliaceae

Part used: Root hair, Lateral root, Main root.
Energetics: Warming, Sweet, Bitter.
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

Safe alongside Herb

Acetylsalicylic acid
Atenolol
Buspirone hydrochloride
Cisplatin
Dexamethasone
Digoxin
Esomeprazole
Furosemide
Glipizide
Nifedipine
Oestradiol, estradiol
Warfarin

Unsure alongside Herb

Clomipramine
Metformin
Tramadol hydrochloride

Avoid alongside Herb

Phenelzine
Raltegravir potassium

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

Pregnancy
Lactation
Children
Heart disease
Hypertension
Hormone-related conditions (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cancers of the breast, ovaries, uterus, or prostate)
Possibly too stimulating for some

ACTIONS

Adaptogen
Nervine
Demulcent
Stimulant
Tonic
Anti-bacterial
Anti-viral
Anti-arrhythmic
Anti-sclerotic
Anti-neoplastic
Anti-oxidant
Cardio-tonic
Hypotensive
Vaso-dilator
Stomachic
Anti-ulcer
Male tonic
Renal tonic
Vulnerary
Sedative
Thymus agent
Anti-fatigue
Hypoglycaemic
Aphrodisiac
Immuno-modulator
Amphoteric
Pituitary regulator.

Main Constituents

Volatile oil
Dammarane 25 Triterpene saponins (Ginsenosides)
Phenol (Salicin)
Mucilage polysaccharide
Sterols
Glycans (Panaxans)
Amino acid choline
Vitamins: A, B1,2,5,12
Biotin
Minerals: Zn, Cu, Mg, Ca, Fe.

Main Uses

Tonic and adaptogen via adrenal and pituitary gland.
Digestive System: Stomach tension with inability to digest food, Stomach fullness, Peptic ulcer
External Use: Moderates ill-effects from chemotherapy, Convalescence
Bacterial, Viral and Fungal Infections: Colds, Flu, Infection
Circulatory: Diabetes, Oedema
Mental/Emotional: Anxiety, Depression, Exhaustion, Stress, Amnesia
Nervous system: Insomnia, Neuralgia
Endocrine: Impaired renal activity, Menopause, Regulates adreno-cortico trophic hormones
Immune System: Overactive thymus gland
Reproductive System: Gonadotrophic activity, Low sperm count, Sexual dysfunction, Infertility, Prostate carcinoma

Infections:
Bacteria: H. pylori
Viruses: HIV, Influenza

More About Panax Ginseng

Panax goes by a few names: Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Ren shen, Korean ginseng, Red ginseng and White ginseng. Red ginseng is unpeeled. White ginseng is peeled.
Panax ginseng has a history of herbal use going back over 5,000 years. It is one of the most highly regarded of herbal medicines in the Orient, where it has gained an almost magical reputation for being able to promote health, general body vigour and also to prolong life.
The genus name Panax is derived from the Greek word meaning "panacea" or "all-healing"; the species ginseng is said to mean "wonder of the world". Both terms refer to the medicinal virtues of the plant.
It is an adaptogen and increases the resilience to all types of life stressors: studying, physical training, illness, surgery.
It is also known as the Longevity herb as Panax is supportive for well-being in both sexes during convalescence, debility and for those suffering with degenerative diseases.
It increases white blood cells and is helpful in immune deficiency, shingles and dry lung conditions (it is best to avoid in acute inflammatory conditions, such as bronchitis).
Ginsenosides Rb1 is depressant and R𝗀1 is stimulant which produces an amphoteric action on the central nervous system, which is adjusted by the Vital Force as required.
Its vasodilatory action helps to lower blood pressure and may be helpful in cases of high cholesterol, atherosclerosis and in the prevention of heart attacks and strokes.
Panax ginseng can be used for infertility and low libido, as well as helping to combat menopausal symptoms.
It supports appetite by reducing the stress-response and can therefore help in cases of stress-induced indigestion and peptic ulcers.

Recipes:

Panax Ginseng Tincture:

Ingredients:

Dried Panax ginseng root (sliced or chopped)
Alcohol (at least 80-proof vodka or grain alcohol)
A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
A dark, cool place for storage
Optional: Dropper bottles for easier dispensing

Instructions:

Measure out the desired amount of dried Panax ginseng root. A common ratio is about 1 part ginseng to 5 parts alcohol by weight.
Place the ginseng root in a clean glass jar.
Use alcohol with at least 80-proof (40% alcohol by volume), such as’ Absolut Vodka’ for proper preservation and extraction of the ginseng's active compounds.
Pour the alcohol over the ginseng root, ensuring it's fully covered. Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Store the jar in a cool, dark place for about 4-6 weeks. Shake the jar gently every few days to help with extraction.
After the extraction period, strain the tincture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean glass container. Squeeze the herbs to extract as much liquid as possible.
Store the tincture in amber or dark glass dropper bottles in a cool, dark place. Label the bottles with the contents and date.

Panax Ginseng Cream:

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Panax ginseng tincture (prepared as mentioned above)
Approx. 56g of shea butter or cocoa butter
2 tablespoons coconut oil or another carrier oil
1 tablespoon beeswax pellets
A few drops of essential oil (optional for fragrance)

Instructions:

Create a Double Boiler / bain marie:
In a heatproof bowl placed over a pot of simmering water, melt the shea butter or cocoa butter, coconut oil, and beeswax together. Stir until well combined.
Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool slightly, but not solidify.
Stir in the Panax ginseng tincture and essential oil (if using) into the mixture.
Pour the mixture into clean, dry containers, such as glass jars or tins. Allow it to cool and set completely.
Seal the containers tightly and store the cream in a cool, dry place.
Apply the Panax ginseng cream topically to areas of your skin as needed.

References

Antidepressant

Mechanisms of Panax ginseng action as an antidepressant.
The molecular and cellular mechanisms of Panax ginseng and its herbal formulae include modulating monoamine neurotransmitter system, upregulating the expression of neurotrophic factors, regulating the function of HPA axis, and anti-inflammatory action. Therefore, this review may provide theoretical bases and clinical applications for the treatment of depression by Panax ginseng and its representative herbal formulae.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31599060/

Hormone-like role, hormonal disorders

Advances on hormone-like activity of Panax ginseng and ginsenosides.
Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that Ginseng and its active ingredients have beneficial hormone-like role in hormonal disorders. This review thus summarizes the structural similarities between hormones and dammarane ginsenosides and integrates the analogous effect of Ginseng and ginsenosides on prevention and treatment.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32616193/

Anti-inflammatory, inflammatory diseases

Effects of Panax gin.seng on tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated inflammation: a mini-review
Taken together, this summary provides evidences for the anti-inflammatory effects of ginseng extracts and ginsenosides as well as the underlying mechanisms of their effects on inflammatory diseases.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21455094/

Anticarcinogenic

Anticarcinogenic effect of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and identification of active compounds.
Ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5 and Rh2 were found to be active anticarcinogenic compounds. Rg3, Rg5 and Rh2 are active components in red ginseng, and they prevent cancer either singularly or synergistically.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11748383/

Chemopreventive, carcinogenesis, chemo-preventative, cancer

Chemopreventive effect of Panax ginseng.
Research has shown that it is possible to interfere with the multi-step process of carcinogenesis through the use of compounds with chemo-preventive effects, such as the inhibition of the activation of antiapoptotic genes.These results support the efficacy of ginseng-containing diets and dietary supplements in the prevention of cancerous diseases.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19274701/