If you are familiar with any herbal compounds, it is a sure thing that you have heard of ginseng.

Ginseng has been used for thousands of years to improve the overall health of human beings.

Ginseng refers to several species of the genus Panax, and for more than 2,000 years the roots of this plant has been valued in Chinese medicine.

What Are The Ginseng Species?

The most common species are Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), almost extinct in its natural habitat but still cultivated, and American ginseng ( P . quinquefolius L.), which is both harvested from the wild and cultivated.

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus ) should not be confused with Panax ginseng. In Russia, Siberian ginseng was promoted as a cheaper alternative to ginseng, but does not contain the active ingredients found in the Panax varieties.

What Is The Active Ingredient In Ginseng?

The root of ginseng contains active chemical components called ginsenosides (or panaxosides) that are thought to be responsible for the herb's medicinal properties.

It is dried and used to make tablets or capsules, extracts, and teas, as well as creams or other preparations for external use.

What Is Ginseng Traditionally Used For?

Ginseng improves concentration and learning ability. In some studies of mental performance, ginseng has been combined with ginkgo.

Several human studies have also shown that the Panaxans in Ginseng may improve blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetics. People with diabetes should take ginseng only under the care of a doctor.

The polysaccharides are thought to support the immune system.

Some studies have also found that ginseng may help boost the immune system.

Ginseng has been found to help people in poor physical condition to tolerate exercise better, and increase athletic performance.

*This root has been found to improve health of people recovering from illness.

*Increase well-being and stamina.

*Improve both mental and physical performance.

What Other Advantages Does Ginseng Have?

*It is used in the treatment of hepatitis C.

*To relieve symptoms related to menopause.

*Control and regulate blood pressure.

*It has also been used to improve mood.

*Studies have shown an improvement in erectile dysfunction.

What Are The Ginseng Side Effects?

*Ginseng can increase the effect of blood-thinners (antiplatelet or anti-clotting drugs), such as clopidogrel, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, and aspirin, which may result in uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhage.

* When combined with Ginseng, certain herbs, such as danshen, devil's claw, eleuthero, garlic, ginger, horse chestnut, papain, red clover, and saw palmetto, can also increase the risk of bleeding.

*Ginseng may affect heart rhythm and can increase potential side effects from theophylline (and similar asthma drugs), albuterol, clonidine, sildenafil citrate (Viagra).

*Panax ginseng may interact with insulin and other drugs for diabetes, such as metformin (Glucophage), glyburide (Glynase), glimepiride (Amaryl), and glipizide (Glucotrol XL).

Ginseng may interfere with the metabolism of monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as phenelzine sulfate (Nardil), tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate) and isocabaxazid (Marplan).

*It's also believed to affect levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells) and may interact with antipsychotic drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and fluphenazine (Prolixin).

*Ginseng stimulates the central nervous system, so it may increase the effects of prescription drugs that produce similar effects. These include medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and obesity.The combination or these drugs may raise heart rate and blood pressure.