Panax, commonly referred to as ginseng, is a genus of perennial herbs in the Araliaceae (ginseng family). It has been cultivated for thousands of years on mountains throughout China, Korea, and Japan. Ginseng means “the essence of the earth in the form of a man”, and in fact the root’s shape suggests the human form. Panax ginseng is considered the most potent and expensive form of ginseng.
Ginseng is an adaptogen, an herb that can improve the body's overall ability to adapt to and cope with the negative effects of physical and environmental stress. Clinical studies confirm that ginseng can help enhance endurance, reduce fatigue, and improve coordination and reaction time. There is also some evidence that ginseng can boost immune function, helping the body fight off infection during times of stress. In laboratory studies, ginseng has shown potential in protecting liver and heart health, regulating the function of reproductive hormones, normalizing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and improving memory and learning.
Thousands of clinical, laboratory and animal studies have been performed to investigate the actions and chemistry of ginseng. Much of this research has been performed in China, Korea and Japan. The best-documented effects of ginseng in humans are for improving resistance to stress and enhancing mental and physical performance under environmental stress, such as shift work, sleep deprivation, or rigorous athletic training.
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