botanical name(s): Panax quinquefolius
synonyms: ginseng, wild American ginseng, white ginseng
part(s) used: root
qualities: bitter, sweet, neutral, dry
affinities:
actions: adaptogen, alterative, cardiac tonic, hepatic tonic, stimulant, tonic
dosage:
» powder: 0.5 - 1 g.
» tincture: 1 - 3 ml.
specific indications: nervous dyspepsia; mental and other forms of nervous exhaustion
therapy: improves tone of nerve centers; increases capillary circulation of the brain; failure of digestion incident to nervous prostration and general nerve irritation (Ellingwood, p. 275); tiredness; overexertion; neurasthenia; hypotension; general and nervous weakness; mild depression; general geriatric care (Weiss, p. 177); reduces cholesterol; prevents atherosclerosis; reduces blood sugar levels; increases Qi; heart disease; stress; diabetes; weakness after long illness, injury, or surgery; effects of aging (Anderson Geller)
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1
toxicity: 2; see saponin toxidrome
» caution is advised regarding use in patients with history of recent surgery, diabetes, hypoglycemia, nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infections, acute infectious hepatitis, leukemias, Graves disease, or related genetic disorders (Langer and Greer, pp. 66-67); possible goitrogen due to phytosterols (Langer and Greer, p. 52)
» allergenic response noted; patient experiences pruritus, insomnia, and palpitations; overdoses may then lead to headache, vomiting, hemorrhage, epistaxis, chest pain, and decreased sexual potency; severe overdoses may result in death (Duke, pp. 337-338)
constituents: saponin glycosides
footnotes
Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-Thyroid Substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.
Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum; Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.