Ginseng radix

Root of ginseng. Ginseng Radix is classified as an adaptogen, a group of substances that are believed to increase the body's defenses.

The root systems of 4-7 year old ginseng plants are used to obtain the extract (note: the concentration of active ingredients increases with the age of the plant: the older the plant, the higher its quality).

The quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.):

A distinction is made between red and white ginseng, although these are not different species but different processing methods:

• White ginseng is dried in the sun and thus retains its natural color.
• Red ginseng is given its color by treating it with steam before drying. see also under Ginseng

The roots of Siberian ginseng(Eleutherococci radix) are known to us as "taiga root".

HMPC monograph: traditional use: lack of strength, exhaustion, weakness
ESCOP monograph: tonic to strengthen the feeling of tiredness and weakness, decreasing performance and concentration, convalescence.

Commission e-monograph: Tonic to strengthen the feeling of tiredness and weakness, decreasing performance and concentration, convalescence.

Empirical medicine: Improves general well-being and increases vital energy.

2% to 3% of a mixture of saponins composed of at least 10 individual glycosides, the ginsenosides (also called panaxosides) All ginsenoids belong to the group of bisdesmosides, glycoside compounds to which the sugar is bound to 2 different OH groups of the aglycone. Other ingredients: 0.05% essential oil with sesquiterpenes (see terpenes below) and polyins, about 5% mono-, di- and polysaccharides and high polymer peptidoglycans (panaxanes).

Ginseng radix lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, influences the gonads (gonadotrophic effect), dilates vessels and stimulates the synthesis of proteins. It is also said to have a stimulating effect on concentration disorders. Ginseng is also recommended as a stimulant, geratricum, roboran and aphrodisiac.

It should not be used during pregnancy and lactation.

The commercially available American ginseng root is cultivated over a period of 6 to 7 years. The extracts obtained are mostly used in the form of infusions. The application period should not exceed 3 months. An overdose of more than 9 g dry extract per day can lead to insomnia, high blood pressure and oedema. Interactions with the blood clotting agent warfarin are also possible.

Allergy to individual ingredients. Not recommended during pregnancy and lactation, not for children and adolescents under 18 years.

Warfarin sodium if bleeding time is altered.

Simultaneous administration of phenelzine sulfate (^Nardil®) may cause headache, tremor, manic episodes.

Possibly effect enhancement of estrogens and corticosteroids!

Cosmetics: Ginseng root extracts are also used as antistatic agents in cosmetic formulations under the INCI name"Panax ginseng extract".

1. Becker LC et al,,(2015) Safety Assessment of Panax spp Root-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol 34 (3 Suppl):5S-42S.
2. Chung SI et al.(2016) In Vitro and In Vivo Antioxidant Activity of Aged Ginseng (Panax ginseng). Prev Nutr Food Sci 21:24-30.
3. He JM et al.(2016) Variation of ginsenosides in ginseng of Different Ages. Nat Prod Commun 11:739-740.
4. Ivanov DA et al. (2016) The chemoattractant potential of ginsenosides in the ginseng - Pythium irregulare pathosystem. Phytochemistry 122:56-64.
5. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-panax-ginseng-ca-meyer-radix_en.pdf
6. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/ginseng.php.
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