Panax ginseng

The extract of the Chinese root Panax ginseng and the North American Panax quinquefolius contains as its putative active constituents a large group of ginsenosides, four-ring glycosides. Anecdotal reports in the scientific literature suggest that Ginseng can improve sexual dysfunction such as anorgasmia and decreased libido in patients taking antidepressants. Ginsenosides facilitate the release of nitric oxide in endothelial tissue of rabbit corpus cavernosum, a step in the events leading to erection. This property may have promise for women, as the biochemical process of erection is the same in the clitoris. Multiple orgasmic response has also been described with this Chinese herbal.

Ginseng is one the best known and widely prescribed herbs in Chinese medicine as a general adaptogenic and restorative tonic. Adaptogenic herbs such as ginseng are especially useful in debilitated persons suffering from exhaustion, fatigue, liver disease, stress and wasting from chronic disease. Unfortunately, the fame of ginseng has led to misconceptions about its use and to low grade or adulterated products being sold as ginseng in the West.

Panax, the generic name is derived from the Greek Panakos (a panacea), in reference to the miraculous virtue ascribed to it by the Chinese, who consider it a sovereign remedy in almost all diseases. The word Ginseng is said to mean wonder of the world,however, it is not universally applicable in every illness. It should not be taken during acute inflammatory disease or bronchitis since it can drive the disease deeper and make it worse. Moreover, in China, ginseng is rarely used on its own, but is usually combined with other herbs, such as licorice or Chinese dates, which temper its powerful nature.

Ginseng is known to possess phytoestrogen activity. The herb is believed to function as an adaptogen—helping the body adapt to stressful conditions, possibly by augmenting production of the body’s own stress hormones (ACTH, Cortisol).

Adverse effects may include hypertension, insomnia, vomiting, headache and epistaxis. Isolated case reports have noted post-menopausal vaginal bleeding and breast nodularity with prolonged usage, suggesting a modest estrogen-like effect. A two-year study of 133 people using ginseng noted a central nervous system stimulant effect.(17) Nervousness and insomnia were noted in 11% of subjects; therefore, ginseng would not be recommended for use in patients with bipolar disorder (manic syndrome) or psychosis. However, this study used doses (15 g/day) on the high end of those recommended, used no placebo, and did not describe the quality or form of the extract used.

The dosage is dependent on the ginsenoside content. With a saponin content of at least 5 mg of ginsenosides with a ratio of Rb1 to Rg1 of 2:1, a typical dose would be to take this 1 to 3 times a day. It is best to begin with a lower dose and to gradually increase this if needed.

Panax ginseng appears to be effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, suggests a 2002 study from the Journal of Urology. In tests on 45 men with erectile dysfunction, those who took Panax ginseng for eight weeks showed greater improvements than those given a placebo for the same time period.

In an earlier study of 90 men with erectile dysfunction, 60 percent of the participants reported improvement in their symptoms compared with 30 percent of those using the placebo. The study was published in the International Journal of Impotence Research.

Unlike prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction (which are usually taken when needed), ginseng only appears to be useful for erectile dysfunction if taken on a continuous basis.