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| Siberian ginseng is not a true ginseng. The "touch-me-not," as it is sometimes called, is a member of the Eleutherococcus family. The true ginsengs, Chinese, Korean and American, are Panax ginsengs. Both groups are adaptogens, herbs that help to balance and normalize body functions. In Chinese terms, they mobilize and balance the chi, or energy that surrounds and permeates the body. Siberian Ginseng is used in the short run to mobilize the body's energy and defenses, and in the long run to increase resistance, health and vitality.
Because there are so many active compounds in Siberian ginseng, research is difficult and we do not fully understand how the herb works. Our best guess is that Siberian ginseng regulates energy, nucleic acid and protein metabolism in the tissues. Dr. Betty Kaman describes the action as follows: "Under stress a complex substance is generated in your blood. This complex inhibits energy-giving substances from entering the cell membranes and also interferes with normal cell activity. Siberian ginseng contains substances that disrupt this negative process, decreasing the competition and minimizing the deleterious effects of the ‘bad guys'–the stress-released complex. Now your cells can function normally despite the stress."
Siberian ginseng has been studied under many high stress situations. It was shown to increase oxygen utilization in people working in 100 degree heat. It functionally improved the hearing organs of workers in high noise conditions. Proofreaders given Siberian ginseng increased reaction time and committed fewer errors. Factory workers in the polar regions subjected to 22 degree working conditions lost 40% fewer work days and were sick only half as often when given Siberian ginseng. Ship workers using vibration tools showed a measurable increase in hearing acuity. Could you guess that these studies were conducted in the former Soviet Union? Not surprisingly, the Russians found that Siberian ginseng enhances endurance and enables athletes to extend their training without harm.
Copyright 2001 by Chip Engelmann
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