© Nina Filippova · CC BY 4.0 · Commons
Asian ginseng
CautionGinseng · (Panax ginseng)
Ginseng family (Araliaceae)
Description
Panax ginseng is a perennial plant in the ginseng family, native to the mountain forests of East Asia (Korea, northeastern China, Russia). The fleshy root, which grows for several years before harvest, is the main part used. Its most important constituents are the ginsenosides, a group of saponins. In traditional East Asian medicine ginseng has long been used as a general tonic. Scientific evidence for its actual benefits is limited and inconsistent.
- TinctureRootInternalTraditional use
Traditionally used as a tonic for fatigue, stress and reduced performance; marketed as an adaptogen in the West. Robust clinical evidence is limited.
- TeaRootInternal
Ginseng is promoted for cognitive function, fatigue and immune support. According to NCCIH there is so far little evidence for a well-defined health benefit.