By Brian Benjamin Carter



Ginseng is the best known and most popular Chinese herb. It is known as the "King" of Chinese herbs. With Ginseng, you get what you pay for. Some roots cost thousands of dollars. Most consumers will not be seeking out the highest quality Ginseng. The more affordable Codonopsis Root (Dang Shen) may be substituted in most situations.

The average consumer who walks down the herb aisle in the drug store may be unaware of the consequences of their choices. The popular conception that ginseng equals energy, much like coffee equals energy is not necessarily so.

If you are looking for energy, first of all, you need to be sure that you really need it. Many people would never feel that they have enough energy. Some people may actually be Yin Deficient with Heat signs. In this case, the appearance of energy (which may be scattered and manic) is really heat and, underneath, the person is deficient. This is analogous to spending money on a credit card when you're already in debt. You appear to be rich, but your finances are actually in very bad shape. You can spend what you do not have but you will pay the price. The price may be your sanity, or other health problems down the road. These peoplewould do better to nurture their yin, which is deficient, and spend less energy. Look at American Ginseng; it nourishes the yin and benefits the qi. The heat of yin deficiency sometimes manifests as excess energy in the head: headaches, and tempers flaring. Anyone with heat signs like this would actually be harmed by Panax or Korean Ginseng. It is liable to make your headaches and temper worse.

American Ginseng is considered an endangered species due to excess harvesting. If you plan on using it, the ethical thing would be to grow it yourself, or at least be knowledgeable of the source of your Ginseng.

If you really need energy, you might not even take Panax Ginseng (Ren Shen). Traditionally, it is used for the elderly, or in extreme health situations. The more common, and more affordable, choice is Codonopsis Root (Dang Shen).

When NOT to take Ginseng: If you have headaches, palpitations, insomnia, pregnant, hysteric, manic or schizophrenic do not take ginseng. If you have very high blood pressure (systolic >180mmHg), and/or are hypertensive, do not take panax ginseng.


It is important to know what the things you are putting in your body are going to do for you, and to you. After all, if you just want to dig a hole in your garden, it is better to use a shovel than a stick of dynamite!



Brian Benjamin Carter is the Editor of The Pulse of Oriental Medicine, a writer for Being Well (a monthly e-newsletter), and an Intern at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Brian lives in beautiful San Diego, California and is shamelessly addicted to double espressos.

Copyright 2001, The Pulse of Oriental Medicine



GINSENG

It was clairvoyandy observed that the effects of ginseng powder start to manifest almost immediately. Flashes of light were seen coming from the inner and health auras. The inner aura increased from five to about ten inches in thickness. The health aura became brighter and expanded from about two to three feet. The outer aura also expanded. Light grayish matter was being expelled. The chakras became brighter, bigger, and more active. The major chakras increased from about three-and-a-half inches to about five inches. The "synthetic ki" located at the secondary navel chakras increased from about one inch to about three inches in diameter. The "synthetic ki" became denser. Although the pranic energy level of the subjects was very high, they were relaxed and not restless. This is similar to a person meditating. Though a lot of energy is generated when meditating, the meditator is still relaxed and at peace. The subjects are not usually aware of, or do not physically feel, the subtle improvements unless they are either sensitive or weak.

The degree of the effects of the ginseng depends on the dosage, the supplier of the ginseng (different suppliers produce ginseng of different brightness or potency), and the body of the subject. The effects of one-half gram of ginseng will last for about ten to sixteen hours. Within that period of time the effects of the ginseng gradually dimmish. Because of this, it is better if one-half gram of ginseng is taken twice a day to maintain one's health. Persons who are ill should preferably take a higher dosage.

Ginseng, when clairvoyantly seen, is very bright compared to other food and medicines. The core (inmost) aura of a fifty gram red ginseng powder is very dense (looks almost like "liquid" gold) and is about six to twelve inches in radius. The outer aura is about three to four yards in radius. Ginseng contains a lot ofprana (vital energy) and also a lot of "synthetic ki." The great increase of synthetic ki in the secondary navel chakra is due to the activated major chakras which produce more synthetic ki and also due to the synthetic ki contained in the ginseng itself.

Ginseng has a cleansing effect since grayish matter is being expelled. It is better to exercise immediately after taking ginseng to facilitate the expelling of used-up prana and to facilitate the assimilation of fresh pranic energy. Ginseng is also activating and energizing, since the etheric body and its major chakras become brighter, bigger, and denser. Therefore, the organs controlled and energized by the major chakras are correspondingly cleansed, activated, and energized.

With these findings, it becomes clear why ginseng is highly regarded by the Chinese and the Koreans. Many Chinese and Koreans take ginseng regularly to improve and maintain their good health. In Chinese medicine, ginseng in combination with herbs having "healing" effects on a specific organ is prescribed for many types of ailments. Ginseng combined with other herbs is considered as a practically "cure all" medicine.

To increase the pranic energy level of the healer and to improve his or her healing skill, it is advisable (but not necessary) to take one gram of ginseng before and after healing a large number of patients. It is also advantageous for patients who are very weak to take one to two grams of ginseng before being treated by the healer.

American ginseng improves glucose tolerance in diabetics and nondiabetics

A small, randomized clinical study showed that treatment with American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) helped improve glucose tolerance in nondiabetic people as well as those with type II diabetes mellitus. For the study, 10 nondiabetic people and 9 people with type II diabetes received treatment with 3 g ginseng or placebo capsules either 40 minutes before or in combination with an oral glucose challenge. In nondiabetic participants, no difference was observed in glycemia between placebo and ginseng when the substances were administered along with glucose, but significant reductions were seen when ginseng was taken 40 minutes before the glucose challenge. However, compared with placebo, both ginseng dosage regimens improved glucose tolerance in the people with diabetes. The researchers cautioned that for nondiabetics, "to prevent unintended hypoglycemia, it may be important that the American ginseng be taken with meals." They also noted that the 3 g dose of ginseng used in their study is higher than that used in most other clinical studies, which is typically 1.5 g or less. Vuksan V, Stevenpiper JL, Koo VYY, et al. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) reduces postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Archives of Internal Medicine 2000; 160: 1009-1013.