Using Ginseng – Hugs CBD

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Can Ginseng Heal the Mind and Body?

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Many people use natural, herbal remedies like ginseng for alleviating the symptoms and distress of chronic diseases. In a given year, 45% of the U.S. population will use prescription medication at some point. For many, using prescription medications comes with risks and side effects that they may not want to experience. With the rise in naturalism, more and more people are turning to herbs and supplements to alleviate their pain. Ginseng, a plant tuber, has been a popular remedy in traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, for centuries.

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What is ginseng?

Ginseng has been used for hundreds of years as a treatment option for a variety of issues. But most of the purported benefits of ginseng have never been scientifically studied. Many people use ginseng as a supplement, and the substance is also an integral part of many traditional folk medical remedies in Asia.

Ginseng is a compact, vine-like plant that creeps across the ground. It has broad, oval-shaped, deep green leaves and also produces small, red berries. Most of the benefits people get from processed ginseng are harvested from the roots of the plant, which are fork-shaped and have a long stalk.

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There are two species of ginseng, the Asian or Korean ginseng plant, and the American ginseng. The different types of plants are supposed to have various benefits. In Asian cultures, the American ginseng is purported to have fewer benefits than its Asian cousin. The active ingredients in the plant that are supposed to offer health benefits are called ginsenosides. Although there are a few other plants in the world with the name “ginseng,” such as the Siberian ginseng or eleuthero, they do not contain beneficial ginsenosides.

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In the U.S., it is illegal to pick and harvest ginseng roots from State lands and National Park Service lands, but legal to grow the plant. A few U.S. National Forests will issue harvest permits for wild ginseng, but most prohibit people from uprooting the plant. It is also possible to grow the plant inside in containers placed within direct sunlight.

When was ginseng first used as a folk remedy?

The first plant species of ginseng was discovered in Manchuria, China more than 5000 years ago. Researchers postulate that the plant was initially used in food but was soon used in medicine for its alleged rejuvenating powers. The fact that the plant’s roots have a humanoid shape may have also influenced the ancients to use it as a medical treatment.

In the third century AD, the demand for ginseng in China had grown, and the root had also become a popular trading commodity. The ancient Koreans used to trade the ginseng root for luxurious Chinese silks and other folk medicines. Skip ahead to the early 1900s, and the demand for ginseng had outgrown the natural supply. As a result, Korea became the first country to begin commercial cultivation of the plant. This industry is still present in Asia today.

Ginseng was used in North American in the early 1700s when Jesuits in Canada learned how valuable the root was for trading with China. Exports of wild ginseng from Canada to China grew. Soon after, the plant was found growing wild in New England. Trade for the plant grew throughout the colonial period and early years of the fledgling U.S. nation. At the end of the 19th century though, wild supplies of the plant were almost exhausted. Commercial cultivation of the plant began in the late 1800s and continues to this day in the U.S. and Canada.

How is ginseng used as a folk treatment?

Ginseng root has been processed into teas, tinctures, and supplements for centuries as a treatment option for a range of ailments. Mostly, ginseng is used for its stimulating effects for people who suffer from fatigue, lethargy, and “brain fog.” Ginseng has also been used to treat the following conditions:

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Improve cognition and mental focus
Increase energy levels
Lower blood sugar
Cure erectile dysfunction
Prevent flu infections
Reduce inflammation

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How effective is ginseng as a treatment method?

Although ginseng has a long history that has an effective treatment option for the previous issues, it’s medicinal benefits have not been studied in-depth. The FDA has not approved ginseng as a treatment alternative, although it is legal to purchase ginseng supplements over-the-counter in the U.S. People can also grow their own ginseng and process it into teas and other traditional folk remedies.

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Are there any adverse effects or long-term risks of using ginseng?

Ginseng is known to cause adverse reactions when it is taken with certain prescription medications. Ginseng can impair the mechanisms present with MAOIs and blood pressure medications. Doctors have warned that patients on MAOIs who take ginseng can experience tremors and manic episodes. Ginseng is also not safe for those who are using blood thinners, including aspirin. Ginseng is also known to increase the intensity of caffeine and other stimulants.

People who want to use ginseng should always talk with their doctor before taking a new supplement. Although ginseng is considered safe to use, side effects have been reported, including:

Headaches
Changes in blood pressure and blood sugar
Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Stomach upset
Nervousness and irritability

Is CBD a viable alternative to using ginseng?

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People have used CBD as an anti-inflammatory, but CBD has not been FDA-approved for this issue. Research into the effectiveness of CBD as a treatment option is still ongoing, and the results are inconclusive so far. Also, CBD is considered a supplement, not a medication, and it is not safe to stop taking regular medications and replacing them with CBD.

Last updated September 19 2019

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