Wikipedia

Ginseng

This article is about the root of plants in the genus Panax. For the town, seeGinseng, Kentucky.

Ginseng(/ˈdʒɪnsɛŋ/[1]) is the root of plants in the genusPanax,such as Korean ginseng (P. ginseng), South China ginseng (P. notoginseng), and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius), characterized by the presence ofginsenosidesandgintonin.Ginseng is common in the cuisines and medicines of China andKorea.

A root of cultivatedKorean ginseng(Panax ginseng)

Ginseng has been used intraditional medicineover centuries, though modernclinical researchis inconclusive about its medical effectiveness.[2][3]There is no substantial evidence that ginseng is effective for treating any medical condition and it has not been approved by the USFood and Drug Administration(FDA) to treat or prevent a disease or to provide a health benefit.[2][3][4]Although ginseng is sold as adietary supplement,inconsistent manufacturing practices for supplements have led to analyses of some ginseng products contaminated withtoxic metalsor unrelatedfiller compounds,and its excessive use may haveadverse effectsor untoward interactions withprescription drugs.[2][5]

History

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One of the first written texts covering the use of ginseng as a medicinal herb was theShen Nong Pharmacopoeia,written in China in 196 AD. In hisCompendium of Materia Medicaherbal of 1596,Li Shizhendescribed ginseng as a "superior tonic". However, the herb was not used as a "cure-all" medicine, but more specifically as a tonic for patients withchronic illnessesand those who were convalescing.[6]

Control over ginseng fields in China and Korea became an issue in the 16th century.[7]

Ginseng species

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Ginseng plants belong only to the genusPanax.[8]Cultivated species includePanax ginseng(Korean ginseng),Panax notoginseng(South China ginseng),Panax pseudoginseng(Himalayan ginseng),Panax quinquefolius(American ginseng),Panax trifolius(Dwarf ginseng), andPanax vietnamensis(Vietnamese ginseng).[9]Ginseng is found in cooler climates – Korean Peninsula, Northeast China,Russian Far East,Canada and the United States, although some species grow in warm regions – South China ginseng being native to Southwest China and Vietnam.Panax vietnamensis(Vietnamese ginseng) is the southernmostPanaxspecies known.[citation needed]

Wild and cultivated ginseng

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Wild ginseng

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Wild ginseng (Korean:산삼;Hanja:Sơn sâm;RR:sansam;lit.mountain ginseng) grows naturally in mountains and is hand-picked by gatherers known assimmani(심마니).[10]The wild ginseng plant is almost extinct in China and endangered globally.[11]This is due to high demand for the product in recent years, leading to the harvesting of wild plants faster than they can grow and reproduce (a wild ginseng plant can take years to reach maturity[12]). Wild ginseng can be processed to be red or white ginseng.[13]Wild American ginseng has long been used byNative Americansfor medicine.[14][15][16]Since the mid-1700s, it has been harvested for international trade.[14]Wild American ginseng can be harvested in 19 states and theAppalachian Mountainsbut has restrictions for exporting.[14][17][18]

Cultivated ginseng

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Cultivated ginseng (Korean:인삼;Hanja:Người sâm;RR:insam;lit.human ginseng) is less expensive than the rarely available wild ginseng.[10]

Cultivated ginseng (Korean:장뇌삼;Hanja:Trường não sâm;RR:jangnoesam) is planted on mountains by humans and is allowed to grow like wild ginseng.[10]

Ginseng processing

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Cultivated ginseng

Ginseng seed normally does not germinate until the second spring following the harvest of berries in Autumn. They must first be subjected to a long period of storage in a moist medium with a warm/cold treatment, a process known asstratification.[19]

Fresh ginseng

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Fresh ginseng (Korean:수삼;Hanja:Thủy sâm;RR:susam;lit.water ginseng), also called "green ginseng", is non-dried raw product.[20]Its use is limited by availability.[citation needed]

White ginseng

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White ginseng (Korean:백삼;Hanja:Bạch sâm;RR:baeksam;lit.white ginseng) is peeled and dried ginseng.[20]White ginseng is fresh ginseng which has been dried without being heated. It is peeled and dried to reduce the water content to 12% or less.[20]Drying in the sun bleaches the root to a yellowish-white color.[citation needed]

Red ginseng

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Red ginseng (traditional Chinese:Hồng sâm;simplified Chinese:Hồng tham;pinyin:hóngshēn;Korean:홍삼;romaja:hongsam;"red ginseng" ) is steamed and dried ginseng, which has reddish color.[20]Red ginseng is less vulnerable to decay than white ginseng.[21]It is ginseng that has been peeled, heated through steaming at standard boiling temperatures of 100 °C (212 °F), and then dried or sun-dried. It is frequently marinated in an herbal brew which results in the root becoming extremely brittle.[citation needed]

Production

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Commercial ginseng is sold in over 35 countries, with China as the largest consumer. In 2013, global sales of ginseng exceeded $2 billion, of which half was produced by South Korea.[9]In the early 21st century, 99% of the world's 80,000 tons of ginseng was produced in just four countries: China (44,749 tons), South Korea (27,480 tons), Canada (6,486 tons), and the United States (1,054 tons).[9]All ginseng produced inSouth KoreaisKorean ginseng(P. ginseng), while ginseng produced in China includesP. ginsengandSouth China ginseng(P. notoginseng).[9]Ginseng produced in Canada and the United States is mostlyAmerican ginseng(P. quinquefolius).[9][22]

Uses

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Ginseng may be included inenergy drinksorherbal teasin small amounts or sold as adietary supplement.[2][3][5][23]

Food or beverage

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The root is most often available in dried form, either whole or sliced. InKorean cuisine,ginseng is used in variousbanchan(side dishes) andguk(soups), as well asteaandalcoholic beverages.[24]Ginseng-infused tea andliquor,known asinsam cha(literally "ginseng tea" ) andinsam-ju( "ginseng liquor" ) is consumed.[24]Ginseng leaves are also used to prepare foods and beverages. Leaves are used to prepare Asian soups, steamed with chicken or combined with ginger, dates, and pork, or are eaten fresh.[25][26]

Traditional medicine and phytochemicals

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Although ginseng has been used intraditional medicinefor centuries, there is no conclusive modern research that it has biological effects.[3][27]Preliminaryclinical researchindicates there are no confirmed effects on memory, fatigue,menopausesymptoms, andinsulin responsein people with milddiabetes.[3]A 2021 review indicated that ginseng had "only trivial effects on erectile function or satisfaction with intercourse compared to placebo".[28]As of 2023,there is no good evidence to indicate that taking ginseng causes any improvement of health or lowers the risk of any disease.[29][30]

Although the roots are used intraditional Chinese medicine,the leaves and stems contain larger quantities of thephytochemicalsthan the roots, and are easier to harvest.[31]The constituents includesteroidsaponinsknown asginsenosides,[32]but the effects of these ginseng compounds have not been studied with high-qualityclinical researchas of 2021, and therefore remain unknown.[2][3][27][33]

FDA warning letters

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As of 2019, the United StatesFDAandFederal Trade Commissionhave issued numerouswarning lettersto manufacturers of ginseng dietary supplements for making false claims of health or anti-disease benefits, stating that the "products are notgenerally recognized as safeand effective for the referenced uses "and are illegal as unauthorized" new drugs "under federal law.[34][35][36]

Safety and side effects

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Ginseng supplements are not subjected to the same pre-market approval process in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as pharmaceutical drugs. FDA mandates that manufacturers must ensure the safety of their ginseng supplements before marketing, without the necessity to substantiate the safety and efficacy of these supplements in apre-market scenario.[37]Ginseng supplements can be complex, often containing multiple constituents. It is not uncommon to observe discrepancies between the ingredients listed on the product label and the actual components or their quantities present in the supplement.[37]While manufacturers can employ independent organizations to authenticate the quality of a product or its ingredients, such verification does not equate to a certification of the product's safety or effectiveness. These independent quality checks primarily focus on the integrity of the product in terms of its composition and do not extend to safety evaluations or purported clinical efficacy.[37]

Ginseng contains steroidalsaponinsknown asginsenosides,polyacetylenes,polysaccharides,peptidoglycans,andpolyphenols,among diverse otherphytochemicals,but the effects of these compounds in humans are unknown.[2][29][37]

Ginseng generally has a good safety profile and the incidence ofadverse effectsis minor when used over the short term.[2][33]The FDA has classified ginseng as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS), indicating its general tolerability in adult populations.[37]

The risk of interactions between ginseng andprescription medicationsis believed to be low, but ginseng may haveadverse effectswhen used withblood thinners.[2][3]Ginseng interacts with certain blood thinner medications, such aswarfarin,leading to decreased blood levels of these drugs.[37]Ginseng can also potentiate the effects of sedative medications.[37]Concerns exist when ginseng is used over a longer term, potentially causing side effects such as skin rashes,[37]headaches,insomnia,anddigestiveproblems.[2][3][33]The long-term use of ginseng may result in nervousness, anxiety, diarrhea, confusion, depression, or feelings of depersonalization,[37]nausea,and fluctuations in blood pressure (including hypertension).[2][23]There have been reports of gynecomastia and breast pain associated with ginseng use.[37]Other side effects include breast pain andvaginal bleeding.[2][23][37]As of 2023, there is a lack of data regarding the safety and efficacy of ginseng in lactating mothers and infants.[2]Given its potential estrogenic activity and the absence of safety data during lactation, ginseng is not recommended for use during breastfeeding.[2][37]Ginseng also has adverse drug reactions withphenelzine,[38]and a potential interaction has been reported withimatinib,[39]resulting inhepatotoxicity,and withlamotrigine.[40]

Overdose

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The common ginsengs (P. ginsengandP. quinquefolia) are generally considered to be relatively safe even in large amounts.[41]One of the most common and characteristic symptoms of an acute overdose ofP. ginsengis bleeding. Symptoms of mild overdose may include dry mouth and lips, excitation, fidgeting, irritability, tremor, palpitations, blurred vision, headache, insomnia, increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, edema, decreased appetite, dizziness, itching, eczema, early morning diarrhea, bleeding, and fatigue.[8][41]

Symptoms of severe overdose withP. ginsengmay includenausea,vomiting,irritability,restlessness, urinary and bowel incontinence, fever, increased blood pressure, increased respiration, decreased sensitivity and reaction to light, decreased heart rate, cyanotic (blue) facial complexion, red facial complexion, seizures, convulsions, anddelirium.[8][41]

Terminology and etymology

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The English word "ginseng" comes from theTeochew Chinesejîn-sim(Người sâm;where this transliteration is inPe̍h-ōe-jī). The firstcharacterNgười(pinyinrén;Modern Standard Mandarinpronunciation:[ʐə̌n]or[ɻə̌n]) means "person"[42]and the second characterSâm(pinyin:shēn;MSM:[ʂə́n]) means "plant root" in a forked shape.[43]

The Korean loanwordinsamcomes from the cultivated ginseng (Korean:인삼;Hanja:Người sâm;RR:insam;lit.human ginseng), which is less expensive than wild ginseng.[citation needed]

The botanical genus namePanax,meaning "all-healing" in Greek, shares the same origin as "panacea"and was applied to this genus becauseCarl Linnaeuswas aware of its wide use inChinese medicineas amuscle relaxant.[citation needed]

Ginseng
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese1. Người sâm
2. Dã sơn tham
3. Thủy tham
4. Bạch tham
5. Hồng tham
Simplified Chinese1. Nhân sâm
2. Dã sơn tham
3. Thủy tham
4. Bạch sâm
5. Hồng sâm
Literal meaning
  1. human root (ginseng)
  2. wild mountain root (wild ginseng)
  3. water root (fresh ginseng)
  4. white root (dried ginseng)
  5. red root (dried steamed ginseng)
Cantonese name
Chinese1. Nhân sâm
2. Hoang dại nhân sâm
Literal meaning
  1. human root (ginseng)
  2. wild human root (wild ginseng)
Hokkien name
ChineseNhân sâm
Korean name
Hangul1. 인삼
2. 산삼
3. 장뇌삼
4. 수삼
5. 백삼
6. 홍삼
7. 태극삼
Hanja1. Người sâm
2. Sơn sâm
3. Trường não sâm
4. Thủy sâm
5. Bạch sâm
6. Hồng sâm
7. Thái Cực sâm
Literal meaning
  1. human root (ginseng)
  2. mountain root (wild ginseng)
  3. long brain root (wild cultivated ginseng)
  4. water root (fresh ginseng)
  5. white root (dried ginseng)
  6. red root (dried steamed ginseng)
  7. taegeukroot (dried blanched ginseng)

Other plants sometimes called ginseng

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True ginseng plants belong only to the genusPanax.[8]Several other plants are sometimes referred to as ginseng, but they are from a differentgenusor evenfamily.Siberian ginseng is in the same family, but not genus, as true ginseng. The active compounds in Siberian ginseng areeleutherosides,not ginsenosides. Instead of a fleshy root, Siberian ginseng has a woody root.

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toGinseng.

References

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  2. ^abcdefghijklm"Ginseng".Drugs. November 30, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 21,2024.
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  4. ^"Development & Approval Process | Drugs".Food and Drug Administration.July 18, 2023.
  5. ^ab"Herbal supplements filled with fake ingredients, investigators find".CBS News.February 3, 2015.RetrievedApril 1,2019.
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  8. ^abcdChinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, by John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
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  37. ^abcdefghijklGinseng.Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Bethesda,MD: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 2006.PMID30000873.NCBINBK501814.
  38. ^Izzo AA, Ernst E (2001). "Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: a systematic review".Drugs.61(15): 2163–75.doi:10.2165/00003495-200161150-00002.PMID11772128.S2CID46983699.
  39. ^Bilgi N, Bell K, Ananthakrishnan AN, Atallah E (2010). "Imatinib and Panax ginseng: a potential interaction resulting in liver toxicity".The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.44(5): 926–8.doi:10.1345/aph.1M715.PMID20332334.S2CID25229077.
  40. ^Myers AP, Watson TA, Strock SB (2015). "Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms Syndrome Probably Induced by a Lamotrigine-Ginseng Drug Interaction".Pharmacotherapy.35(3): e9–e12.doi:10.1002/phar.1550.PMID25756365.S2CID31240689.
  41. ^abcShergis JL, Zhang AL, Zhou W, Xue CC (2013). "Panax ginsengin randomised controlled trials: A systematic review ".Phytotherapy Research.27(7): 949–65.doi:10.1002/ptr.4832.PMID22969004.S2CID29710658.
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  43. ^The word thamshēn"plant root" itself, fromOld Chinese*srəm,has been compared to words meaning 'root' in other languages of theSino-Tibetanfamily such asJaphugtɤ-zrɤm"root", seeJacques G(2015)."On the cluster *sr in Sino-Tibetan".Journal of Chinese Linguistics.43(1): 215–223.doi:10.1353/jcl.2015.0001.S2CID96458481.

Further reading

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