
Ginseng, a famously energizing herb, has been found to improve abstract thinking, speed up reaction time, and boost resistance to viral infections. In Chinese medicine, it is also considered a remedy for digestive problems, vomiting, and bloody sputum, although its effectiveness for these purposes remains unverified.
Valued as a medicine in China for over 2,000 years, Ginseng was once held in such high esteem that only the emperor was allowed to collect it. Ginseng has traditionally been used by elderly Asians to boost physical and mental vitality. Only the root is medicinal.
The active ingredients in Ginseng are a set of compounds called ginsenosides. These complex chemicals have a variety of effects, ranging from stimulation of the nervous system to reduction of blood sugar levels. The Ginseng herb also has an antioxidant effect, stimulates the immune system, thins the blood, and reduces "bad" cholesterol levels.
Panax ginseng is native to China, but is also cultivated in Korea, Japan, and Russia. An almost identical plant, Panax quinquefolius, grows in the United States and was, in fact, exported to China during the 18th Century.
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Ginseng, but people with heart and circulation problems should use it with care. Caution is also advisable if you have hypertension, since overuse of the herb can cause an increase in blood pressure. Because of its effects on blood sugar, people with diabetes should be cautious as well.

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