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Ginseng comes from the Chinese term Ren Shen (人參), which means man root. It is the common name for several plants of the family Araliaceae, valued for their medicinal properties. Although ginseng is nowadays most often associated with the genus Panax, some researchers believe that the original ginseng used in ancient China may have been a different plant. Although ginseng is often seen as an East Asian medicine, American ginseng has been used by Native Americans for centuries. A wide variety of ginseng is generally available in many Chinatown herb shops and ethnic Chinese supermarkets.

1 Modern Science and Ginseng

The positive medicinal effects of ginseng have been difficult to prove using modern science. Frequently, there are contradictory results from different studies. Supporters claim that this is due to the wide variety of ginseng quality used in studies. The quality and neutrality of studies from East Asia have also been questioned. Another issue is that there is no profit to be achieved from researching ginseng because it cannot be patented; therefore, pharmaceutical companies have no incentive to research ginseng. As a result, quality studies into the effects of ginseng are rare. Ironically, one of the better studies involving ginseng actually uses a proprietary formula of ginseng.[1]

Ginseng is highly prized as an adaptogen (a product that does no harm, but increases the body's resistance to stress). Unfortunately, this property is extremely difficult to prove scientifically as well.

A comparative, randomized and double-blind government study does indicate it to be "a promising dietary supplement" when assessed for an increase in quality of life.[2]

Panax ginseng appears to inhibit some characteristics associated with cancer in animal models; nevertheless, this affect is unclear in humans.[3]

2 Common Classification

2.1 Panax ginseng

Chinese ginseng (root)

2.2 Panax quinquefolius

American ginseng (root)

Ginseng that is produced in the United States is particularly prized in ChineseThis article is on the geographic and cultural entity. For other meanings, see China (disambiguation). China ( Traditional Chinese: , Simplified Chinese: , Hanyu Pinyin: Zhongguo, Wade-Giles: Chung-kuo) is a country in continental East Asia with some oute societies, and many ginseng packages are prominently colored red, white, and blue.

A randomized, double-blind study shows that American ginseng reduces influenza cases in the elderly when compared to placebo.[4]



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