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Ginseng; Is It Really Beneficial or an Asian Myth?
For thousands of years, has been revered in the Orient as an almost magical natural
supplement with amazing benefits for those who use it regularly. It is said
that will boost the immune system, enhance vitality, increase physical
endurance, increase mental alertness, and treat illnesses like colds,
fevers, headaches, and vomiting. It is even believed to be an aphrodisiac.
Lets face it, if actually had the properties to give all the benefits it is believed to
give, people would be taking it with every meal. The fact is however, the
benefits of fall a far sight short of its claims.
Commercially, is taken as tea, in capsules, in liquid form from viles, or even by
eating the root itself. Usually it is taken in doses of around 5 grams at a
time. Ginseng is most commonly grown in Asia, particularly in China, Korea, and
Japan, although it can also be found in wooded areas from Quebec to Missouri.
Ginsenosides, which is the active substance in the root, has been shown to
increase endurance and decrease fatigue in mice when given to them in large
amounts. One study where large amounts were given to humans noted a small
improvement in the endurance levels of those who took it. Also, Chinese herbal
medicine? published by the US National Institute of Health, claims the use of can raise unusually low blood pressure and can help prevent shock
after heart attacks.
However, there is no good scientific evidence to support any of the claims made
of these alleged benefits of consuming this root. It is also very likely that
when you buy at the store, it will have a low concentration of ginsenosides in it.
This means that even if does have some marginal benefit to offer, you will probably not
receive any of them.
The lancet, a British medical journal, published a study done in Sweden which
showed that most commercially sold products contained only trace amounts of ginsenosides. These findings
concluded that the amount of ginsenosides found in these products was too
insignificant to be of any benefit. Some of the products, including two sold in
the US (Siberian Ginseng?and Up Your Gas?, had almost none of this substance at
all.
For the most part, taking small to moderate amounts of will not be harmful to you, but you have to ask yourself if dollar for
dollar it is worth taking something which is of no real value or benefit to you.
We all can fall victim to hype made about a product, especially one that has
been around for thousands of years, but when there is no good, proven science to
support that products claims, save your money for a more useful purpose.
Jim O'Neill
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