Panax / American Ginseng

 

Panax / American Ginseng Clinical Reports

  

Research shows that Panax ginseng and American ginseng are effective at boosting the human immune system and managing symptoms of diabetes like high blood sugar (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Ginseng's efficacy has been tested in numerous double blind, placebo controlled human studies: the highest standard of scientific research. Ginseng is what scientists call an adaptogen, a compound that helps the body resist breakdown from physical and chemical stress (1). Because of this versatility, ginseng has many different common uses like promoting energy and mental clarity. Doses of ginseng vary, but research shows effective results with 100-200mg taken daily for several weeks. Pregnant, nursing women and those taking blood-thinning medications are discouraged from using ginseng (1). Additional research is needed to demonstrate the safety of long-term ginseng use.  

 

Panax / American Ginseng Overview

 

Ginseng is a medicinal herb used mainly to promote energy and well-being in Asia and America for thousands of years. There are several different species of this plant and two types are most commonly found as dietary supplements: Panax ginseng or Asian ginseng and Panax quinquefolius L. or American ginseng (1). The species Eleutherococcus senticosus or Siberian ginseng is also used as a supplement; however, it is only distantly related to the Panax genus and does not share the same active compounds (2). Because it is so different, the efficacy of Siberian ginseng will not be discussed in this report. Scientists believe the active compounds in Panax ginsengs are ginsenosides derived from the plant roots. Many researchers have defined these compounds as adaptogens, which means they can help the body build up resistance to physical and chemical stress (1). Because of this broad finding, ginseng has been touted and researched as treatment in numerous conditions ranging from sexual dysfunction to diabetes. Hundreds of clinical studies have examined the various uses of ginseng treatments and many have reached a level of statistical significance to impress practitioners of western medicine.      

 

Safe Use of Panax / American Ginseng

 

Ginseng is generally considered safe and well tolerated for several weeks of use. Some patients have reported cases of insomnia and elevated blood pressure as ginseng may have a mild stimulating effect. Ginseng is not recommended for people taking blood thinners like warfarin as it may decrease the drug's anticoagulant effects. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are also discouraged from taking ginseng. Consult a doctor before giving ginseng to children (1).

 

Panax / American Ginseng and Clinical Studies

 

Hundreds of researchers from different parts of the world have studied the health benefits of ginseng. This research has investigated ginseng's efficacy on numerous subjects like cancer prevention, mental health and exercise performance (1,2). After review of these studies, it seems ginseng use can be strongly supported for treatment of type 2 diabetes and other immune system disruptions caused by the common cold and other infections (3,4).

 

1. Panax / American Ginseng and Enhancement of the Immune System

 

Numerous significant studies have investigated the use of ginseng's adapotogen properties to prevent illness and disease. The strongest evidence shows that ginseng has an ability to stimulate the body's natural defenses (4). More specifically, ginseng can help a person prevent or recover from illnesses like flu, cold, bronchitis and other similar infections (1, 3, 4). One U.S. study looked at the use of American ginseng to strengthen the immune system of older adults during the flu season. Nearly 200 people were recruited for this study that lasted eight weeks. Participants, who also received flu shots, were given a dose of 200mg twice daily of American ginseng or placebo. At the end of the study, participants taking ginseng were less likely to develop acute respiratory illness resulting from infection, flu or other virus. In the end, close to 10 percent of the placebo group became ill verses less than 1 percent of the ginseng group (3). Please review the study's abstract for more details:

A placebo-controlled trial of a proprietary extract of North American ginseng (CVT-E002) to prevent acute respiratory illness in institutionalized older adults.  McElhaney JE et al.

OBJECTIVES: To compare a proprietary extract of American ginseng, CVT-E002, with placebo in preventing acute respiratory illness (ARI) in an institutional setting during the influenza season. DESIGN: Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials conducted late in the 2000 (8 week) and 2000-2001 (12 week) influenza seasons. SETTING: Long-term care setting that included nursing home and assisted living at three sites. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-nine (2000) and 109 (2000-2001) enrolled subjects, average age 81 and 83.5, respectively; 74% women. Approximately 90% had received influenza vaccine in each of the 2 years. INTERVENTION: Oral twice-daily administration of a proprietary ginseng extract, CVT-E002, 200 mg or placebo. MEASUREMENTS: ARI was defined as two new respiratory symptoms or one with a constitutional symptom. Confirmation of viral ARI was by culture (influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)) or serology for influenza. Laboratory safety monitoring was done at 0, 4, and 8 or 12 weeks. RESULTS: An intent-to-treat analysis of pooled data corrected for drug exposure time showed that the incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza illness (LCII) was greater in placebo- (7 cases/101 subjects) than CVT-E002-treated (1/97) groups (odds ratio (OR)=7.73, P=.033). Combined data for LCII and RSV illness were also greater in placebo- (9/101) than CVT-E002-treated (1/97) groups (OR=10.50, P=.009), for an overall 89% relative risk reduction of ARI in the CVT-E002 group. CONCLUSION: CVT-E002 was shown to be safe, well tolerated, and potentially effective for preventing ARI due to influenza and RSV.

 

More details on how ginseng works to boost the immune system can be found in another study from Italy. Researchers there tested ginseng in healthy volunteers by examining immune system markers found in blood. In this randomized, double-blind placebo control study, 60 volunteers were given 200mg a day of Panax ginseng extract or placebo for two months. Blood samples were taken before treatment and then again at the fourth and eighth week. Samples from those taking ginseng showed a boost in the immune system by the fourth week, which became even stronger at the end of the test. White blood cells from the ginseng users killed off more invasive foreign cells like bacteria compared to samples taken from the placebo group. White blood cells are an essential part of a healthy immune system and proved to be strong in the ginseng users. There was also evidence of superior T-cell strength in the ginseng group. T-cells, also called killer cells, help defend the body against viruses and cancer. More specific information can be found below in the study abstract (4):

Immunomodulatory effects of two extracts of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. Scaglione F et al.

The effect of Panax ginseng extracts on cell-mediated immune functions in man has been investigated. Three groups, each consisting of twenty healthy volunteers, were treated under conditions of double blindness with capsules containing lactose (Control Group B), with capsules containing 100 mg of aqueous extract of the drug (Group A), and with capsules containing 100 mg of standardized extract of the drug (Group C). All the patients took one capsule every 12 h for 8 weeks. Blood samples were withdrawn before beginning the treatment, at the fourth week and at the eighth week. The immune parameters examined were the following: chemotaxis of PMNs, phagocytosis index (PHI), phagocytosis fraction (PHF), intracellular killing, total lymphocytes (T3), T helper (T4) subset, suppressor cells (T8) subset, blastogenesis of circulating lymphocytes, natural killer-cell activity (NK). Chemotaxis proved to be enhanced (p less than 0.05) already at the fourth week in Group A as well as in Group C; the increase became even more marked (p less than 0.001) at the eight week in subjects belonging to Group C. PHI and PHF proved to be enhanced (p less than 0.05) at the eighth week in subjects of Group A; these increases were found to be higher in subjects of Group C (p less than 0.001) already starting at the fourth week. Intracellular killing was shown to be significantly increased (p less than 0.05) already at the fourth week in Groups A and C; the increase becomes highly significant in both groups (p less than 0.001) at the eighth week; however, a significant increase (p less than 0.05) at the eighth week was also noticed in the placebo group (Group B).

 

2. Panax / American Ginseng and Diabetes

 

Many researchers have found that American ginseng can help diabetics, and those who are pre-diabetic, maintain healthy blood sugar levels (5, 6). More than 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and those numbers are on the rise according to the statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC. Diabetes is a disease in which the body has trouble regulating insulin, an important chemical for breaking down blood sugar. That means diabetics frequently have higher levels of sugars in their blood, which is a condition called hyperglycemia. Several studies show that ginseng can decrease blood sugar in healthy people and diabetics (5, 6). Even more benefits were found in a study of 36 patients who were recently diagnosed with diabetes. In this double-blind test, patients were given ginseng (100mg or 200mg) or placebo for two months. The ginseng groups had lower blood sugar levels and reported an improvement in mood and physical activity. Patients taking the higher dose of ginseng, 200mg, saw the most benefit. For more, see the study abstract provided below:

Ginseng therapy in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Sotaniemi EA et al.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ginseng on newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this double-blind placebo-controlled study, 36 NIDDM patients were treated for 8 weeks with ginseng (100 or 200 mg) or placebo. Efficacy was evaluated with psychophysical tests and measurements of glucose balance, serum lipids, aminoterminalpropeptide (PIIINP) concentration, and body weight. RESULTS: Ginseng therapy elevated mood, improved psychophysical performance, and reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight. The 200-mg dose of ginseng improved glycated hemoglobin, serum PIIINP, and physical activity. Placebo reduced body weight and altered the serum lipid profile but did not alter FBG. CONCLUSIONS: Ginseng may be a useful therapeutic adjunct in the management of NIDDM.

 

Panax / American Ginseng References

  

1. Kiefer D, Pantuso T. Panax ginseng. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 68(8): 1539-1542.
2. Vuksan V et al. Konjac-Mannan and American ginseng: emerging alternative therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001; 20(5): 370S-380S.
3. McElhaney JE et al. A placebo-controlled trial of a proprietary extract of North American ginseng (CVT-E002) to prevent acute respiratory illness in institutionalized older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004; 52(1): 13-19.
4. Scaglione F et al. Immunomodulatory effects of two extracts of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1990; 16(10): 537-542.
5. Vuksan V et al. American ginseng improves glycemia in individuals with normal glucose tolerance: effect of dose and time escalation. J Am Coll Nutr. 2000; 19(6): 738-744.
6. Sotaniemi EA et al. Ginseng therapy in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Diabetes Care. 1995; 18(10): 1373-1375.