Nutritional Guide

Why you need it?

Korean ginseng is a member of the Araliaceae family, which also includes the closely related American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and less similar Siberian ginseng, Eleuthero-coccus senticosus.

In China and Korea, it has been used for over 2000 years as a tonic and stimulant for exhaustion and debility.

Ginseng was commonly used by elderly persons in the Orient to improve mental and physical vitality. Tonic, stimulant.

Parts Used:

Dried aged root.

Constituents:

The major active constituents of the Panax genus are triterpenoid glycosides or saponins (derivatives of the triterpene dammarane structure) that are commonly known as ginsenosides and greater than 60 individual species have been isolated and identified belonging to the Panax genus, all of which exhibit considerable structural diversity. They differ from one another by the type of sugar moieties and hydroxyl groups, their number, and their site of attachment.

Ginsenosides are classified in three groups based on the chemical structure of their sapogenins, the structure of the non-sugar (aglycones) part of the molecule:

1. the 20(S)-protopanaxadiol type, such as ginsenosides Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and Rs
2. the 20(S)-protopanaxatriol type, such as ginsenosides Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2 and Rs
3. the oleanolic acid type, such as ginsenoside Ro.

These ginsenosides are a diverse group of steroidal saponins showing the ability to target a vast range of tissues. The two major groups of ginsenosides are the Rb and Rg groups (whose nomenclature derives from the mobility of these ginsenosides in a one dimensional thin layer chromatographical system), which have the 20 (S) protopanaxadiol and 20(S) protopanaxatriol groups, respectively, as the sapogenins.

The ginsenoside content is variable depending on the species, the area of cultivation (since ginseng root is broadly cultivated outside of Asia due to the commercial demand), the season of harvest, the age and part of the plant, the preservation method, the extraction method employed including the storage conditions of the phytomedical extract, whether in the crude or refined form. It should also be noted that that pharmacological differences within a single species cultivated in two different locations have been reported. There may also be interactions with diet, life style, exercise and other drugs which can decrease/increase/alter the efficacy of ginseng's active constituents.

Other constituents of the ginseng species include:

• Polysaccharides (maltose,fructose etc.)
• Peptides
• Polyacetylenic alcohols
• Fatty acids

Precautions

GRAS - Generally recognized as safe. No adverse reactions, side effects or overdose symptoms expected when taken within the recommended amounts.

• Avoid high doses and prolonged use in hypertension.
• Consuming caffeine with ginseng increases the risk of overstimulation and gastrointestinal upset. As a precaution, avoid other stimulants such as tea, coffee and cola drinks when taking ginseng.
• The safety or otherwise of the use of ginseng duringpregnancy or lactation has not been determined. Ginseng is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.
• Long-term use of large amounts of ginseng may cause menstrual abnormalities and breast tenderness in some women.

Several contraindications are well documented for over dosage or prolonged usage of ginseng. These various contraindications regarding the administration of ginseng include high blood pressure, acute asthma, acute infections. Excessive menstruation, and, in particular, general nose bleeds for no apparent reason have also been reported.

The safety or other wise of ginseng use during pregnancy or lactation has not been determined significantly enough to guarantee its safety. Therefore ginseng is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

The risk of over-stimulation and gastrointestinal upset is increased when caffeine containing products are consumed with ginseng. Such caffeine containing products include tea, coffee and cola drinks which can stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) can result in increased potency of either ginseng or the caffeine containing product. The interaction may cause the onset of hypertension whilst it has also been reported to increase alcohol clearance.

Caution is advised regarding concomitant administration of ginseng with:

• Phenelzine (a mono amine oxidase inhibitor) resulting in manic like symptoms.
• Warfarin (an anti coagulant pharmaceutical) results in decreased INR (international normalised ratio)
• Oral hypoglycaemics and insulin have been known to interact with ginseng.

The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only. Neither the information provided nor products supplied or offered should be construed to be in any way substitutes for medical attention or prescribed medication. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any supplements or herbal remedies if you are suffering from an undiagnosed illness or if you are on prescribed medication.

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