| This plant is regarded in India as a tonic and adaptogen, with properties similar to ginseng. In one study, physical endurance was doubled in participants given extracts of ashwagandha {Withania somnifera).203
Rhodiola. Rhodiola, also known as golden root or arctic root, has been used for centuries to increase physical endurance and exercise performance204 and as a folk custom to ensure fertility. |
| A combination product that included ginseng, damiana, and gingko was shown in a small placebo-controlled study to improve sexual desire and satisfaction.202 Mexican Indians and generations of herbalists have looked to damiana to improve sexual interest and response.
Ashwagandha. In cases of general debility, nervous exhaustion, loss of muscle strength, and that all-familiar "brain fog," the ashwagandha plant that grows and is cultivated in India and even the Himalayas is well-known in folk medicine of that region as a traditional treatment of these problems. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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 Echinacea is harvested only after three years and ginseng after seven years. Scrub roots well after collecting them.
• Gums and resins are best collected in hot, dry weather.
Leaves and flowers are usually collected during the time of the full moon. Roots are said to be best when collected during the time of the new moon.
Ask permission from and give thanks to the herbs you gather. My friend Debra St. Clare likes to remind people, "Bless it before you pick it." Sing while collecting! Be joyful!
DRYING HERBS
Drying herbs makes them available all year round. |
| Also Known As
Cantonese: dou jung
English: gutta-percha tree, hardy rubber tree, wood cotton
German: guttaperchabaum Japanese: tochu Mandarin: du zhong
Part Used
Bark
Physiological Effects
Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, aromatic, astringent, blood tonic, chi tonic, depurative, diuretic, hepatic, hypotensive, immune stimulant, kidney tonic, liver tonic, restorative, sedative, yang tonic, vasodilator
Medicinal Uses
In Chinese medicine eucommia has been used for more than three thousand years and ranks second only to ginseng. |
| Also Known As
English: bear medicine, Canby's licorice root, Colorado cough root, empress of the dark forest, Indian root, licorice root, loveroot, mountain carrot, mountain ginseng, nipo, osha, oshala, Porter's licorice root, Porter's lovage, Scottish licorice root, wild lovage
French: liveche ecossise, persil de mer (L. |
Jack Challem
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 Like the adaptogenic herb ginseng, rhodiola is probably best used for relatively short periods, such as weeks or months rather than years, as an interim means of bolstering resistance to stress. It makes far more sense to avoid long-term stresses.
Dosage: Use a rhodiola product that has been standardized to a consistent level of rosavin, a key compound found in the herb. Rosavin concentrations generally are 1,2, or 3.6 percent. For 1 percent standardized rosavin, take 360 to 600 mg of rhodiola daily. For 2 percent standardized rosavin, take 180 to 300 mg of rhodiola daily. For 3. |
Peter J. Whitehouse and Daniel George
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 These findings were not consistently replicated, and since we lack data on the long-term safety of ginseng ingestion, it is difficult to recommend the herb clinically.
Fish oil and alpha lipoic acid. These compounds have been claimed to lower inflammation, cholesterol levels, and oxidative stress in animal models. Epidemiological data suggests that the consumption of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may provide protection against Alzheimer's and other age-related conditions. |
Jack Challem
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| The same mechanism may apply to nondrug-related addictive behavior. ginseng is certainly worth trying for thirty days. Follow the label directions for use because potencies vary among manufacturers.
N-acetylcysteine. NAC may help to restore normal brain levels of gluta-mate, a calming neurotransmitter that is also needed for GABA production. A study found that high doses of NAC (600 mg four times daily) diminished interest in and desire for cocaine. Along with some of the other supplements recommended, consider adding 500 to 1,000 mg daily. |
Joan Liebmann-Smith, Ph. D., and Jacqueline Nardi Egan
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 Tremors are also a common reaction to antipsychotic drugs, theophylline (for asthma), Dilantin (for epilepsy), and Compazine (a tranquilizer and antinausea medicine), as well as the herbal stimulants ephedra, ginkgo biloba, and ginseng.
Tremors sometimes signal alkalosis, a pH imbalance (too little acid in body fluids). Other signs may include muscle twitching, lightheadedness, numbness, and tingling. Alkalosis-related tremors can be a clue to the eating disorder bulimia. The good news is that alkalosis is easily treated. |
| Certain herbal supplements, such as ginseng, and those touted for weight loss, such as guarana and ephedra, can also make your heart race.
Palpitations can signal a plethora of medical problems as well. They can, for example, be a sign of a fever, anemia, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low potassium levels, or hyperthyroidism. (See Feeling Hot When It's Not, below, and Appendix I.)
Not surprisingly, palpitations are a common sign of both benign and serious heart problems. |
Benjamin H. Natelson, M.D.
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 A subgroup analysis suggested that the ginseng treatment did help those patients with less severe fatigue, but there is a problem with subgroup analyses: they tend to be done only when the primary outcome turns out to be negative. When that happens, investigators start sifting through their data in the hopes of finding something useful. And when they try every type of comparison they can think of, they often find a positive result. Statisticians have taught us that this is likely just due to chance and probably would not stand up if the trial were repeated. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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 Finally, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 232 patients with fatigue, it was found that ginseng improved fatigue, anxiety, nervousness, and poor concentration.201
Damiana. All students of herbal medicine are probably familiar with damiana's time-honored reputation as an aphrodisiac. It is unclear how the constituents of damiana bring about this effect, and indeed no studies have proven this effect on women, but it has been shown to enhance sexual behavior in animals. |
Bottom Line Health
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| Drink a cup of astragalus or ginseng tea daily.
GLAUCOMA
This condition is caused by increased pressure within the eyeball. Regular eye exams should include a check for glaucoma. If it is detected, you may need prescription eye drops and should be under an ophthalmologist's care.
Natural approach: When glaucoma is detected early, dietary supplements can help reduce eye pressure. I recommend to my patients a combination dietary supplement of methylsul-fonylmetbane (MSM) (1,000 mg daily) and vitamin C for its anti-inflammatory effect. |
Marshall Editions
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 For others, a slightly more calming tonic such as American ginseng or rhodolia might be more suitable. As mentioned above, check with a medical herbalist to determine which herbs will be most useful for your specific condition.
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PANIC ATTACKS
DIAGNOSIS
Panic attacks are feelings of intense fear and anxiety that come on without any warning, and often have no apparent trigger. They result from an exaggeration of the body's normal response to fear, stress, or excitement. |
Jack Challem
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 Researchers at the University of Toronto found that 3 to 9 grams of ginseng reduced blood-sugar levels by 20 to 38 percent after a glucose-tolerance test. Similar reductions in blood sugar are likely after meals. Because the difference between the doses wasn't significant, save yourself some money and stick with the lower dose. Try 3 grams daily.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC). This potent antioxidant may be of particular benefit in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that involves insulin resistance, elevated testosterone levels, and infertility. |
Marshall Editions
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| Combine 10 g of ginseng, 15 g of Bai Zhu (atractylodes rhizome), 15 g of Fuling (poria), 15 g of Shan Yao (Chinese yam), 12 g of Yuan Zhi (Chinese senega root), 12 g of Wu Wei Zi (schisandra fruit), and 5 g of Gan Cao (licorice).
• To treat liver Qi stagnation: Impotence is accompanied by depression, low motivation, loss of interest in life, and/or stress. |
| Asian and Siberian ginseng: Both of these herbs are known to increase and improve circulation in the brain. Studies have shown that increasing circulation to the hearing organ and the surrounding neural tissue improves hearing in some cases. Boil 1 tsp of root in a cup of water to drink, or take 40 drops of tincture, twice daily.
Ginkgo: Studies show ginkgo improves flow to the brain. Do not use this herb with blood-thinning medications. |
| Mix 12 g of Zhu Ling (polyporus sclerotium), 12 g of ginseng, 3 g of dried ginger, 8 g of Cui Zhi (cinnamon), 15 g of Fuling (poria), 15 g of Bai Zhu (white atractylodes rhizome), 6 g of Chen Pi (tangerine peel), and 12 g of Fa Ban Xia (pinellia rhizome).
• To treat alternating diarrhea and constipation: Symptoms include bloating after eating, accompanied with anxiety or depression. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| It is somewhat milder than ginseng, and its effect is not as long-lasting.
The root enhances the body's resistance to disease and is traditionally given around the change of seasons or during stressful times to help people acclimate to change and be better able to resist infection. It tonifies the lungs, spleen, and chi, increases the body's production of phagocytes, and nourishes the blood, increasing the red blood cell count and blood sugar levels. |
Bottom Line Health
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| If you are taking medication, consult your physician before trying ginseng.
Step2: Stand straight. Poorposture—rounding the shoulders, stooping forward, etc.—can inhibit oxygen intake.
People who stand straight, roll back their shoulders, push their chests out while squeezing their shoulder blades together and keep their chin up can increase lung capacity by 5%.
Helpful: To ensure proper form, practice this while looking in a full-length mirror.
Step 3: Exercise. Aerobic exercise increases pathways in the body that carry oxygen to cells. |
Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.
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 Production: Siberian ginseng consists of the dried roots and/ or rhizome of Eleutherococcus senticosus as well as their preparations in effective dosage. |
Gary Null and Amy McDonald
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 To boost mental function, I use ginkgo biloba, probably the number-two herb after ginseng," Dr. Spreen says. "We'll give a trial of that to people who say they don't remember things the way they used to, and to children with learning disorders. We'll try the herb for about 6 weeks. If the person doesn't feel a noticeable difference in that time, it probably doesn't work for them. The nice thing about this type of remedy is that it's harmless. If it doesn't work, you've only lost a few dollars; it hasn't done any harm. |
| Fo-ti nourishes the brain and the brain cells and the moisture in the body, and ginseng balances and speeds our metabolism. So we need both, the hot and the cold, the yin and vang.
"People sometimes feel chilled and weak and have sexual weakness, which can lead to depression. They also have frequent urination. They feel weak from the waist down. This kind of depression happens after jet lag, after childbirth, with chronic asthma or chronic diarrhea. There are a couple of wonderful things you can take for that. |
Jack Challem
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 John's wort, ginseng, and other herbs are also found in vegetables and fruits. However, other compounds are highly distinctive and found only in certain herbs, such as the ginkolides in ginkgo and the ginsenosides in ginseng.
How to Take Flavonoid Supplements
As with carotenoids, the best way to obtain a diverse selection of flavonoids is by eating a diet with a healthy range of vegetables and fruits. The reason is simple: no supplement can provide the variety of flavonoids found in foods. |
The Editors of FC&A
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| It's too early to tell if ginseng will help depression in the long run, but it may become another weapon in your arsenal. See your doctor before taking ginseng for any ailment.
Play it safe when choosing supplements
Buying dietary supplements may seem as risky as rolling the dice - and too often you're the loser. It's hard to know which products are safe or contain the ingredients they claim. But what if someone you trust could help you pick out the highest quality supplements?
Big-name organizations like U.S. Pharmacopeia are doing just that. |
| The study used mice, so more work needs to be done to see if the ginseng berry works for people.
Still, Yuan claims, "Since this berry contains agents that are effective against both obesity and diabetes, the ginseng fruit has enormous promise as a source of new drugs."
Fruits and veggies to the rescue
Vegetables and fruits should always make up a big part of your diet, but if you're diabetic, they're even more important. And here's why - they contain vitamins and minerals that attack diabetes head on.
Gain ground with grapes. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
See book keywords and concepts |
| P. ginseng), xi shen (P. quinquefolium), xi yang shen (P. quinquefolium)
Sanskrit: lakshmana
Turkish: sinseng
Part Used
Root
Physiological Effects
Adaptogen, analgesic, antiallergenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, carminative, chi tonic, demulcent, digestive, endocrine tonic, febrifuge (P. |
Marshall Editions
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| To treat the later stage of whooping cough: Combine 3 g of ginseng, 10 g of Bai Zhu (white atractylodes root), 10 g of Fuling (poria), 12 g of Mai Men Dong (ophiopogon tuber), 10 g of Wu Wei Zi (schisandra fruit), and 3 pieces of Da Zhao (Chinese jujube).
Acupuncture: Treatment may help reduce the symptoms, and shorten the course of the disease. However, children may prefer acupressure.
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Acupressure: In a sitting position, have someone apply gently pressure to the Fei Shu and Din Chuan points with the tip of a finger. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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 It also could be said that ginseng calms the distressed mind while strengthening the body.
• Holy basil affects the body's "energy field" according to ayurvedic physician and author Dr. Vasant Lad. Ayurvedic tradition says that holy basil performs the indispensable spiritual function of balancing and toning the energetic chakra system. It is considered the maha guna (great quality) that balances sattva (pure quality), and it delivers nutrients to the mind necessary for the experience of enlightenment. "Its quality is pure sattva. . . . |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac.
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 Vickers gave Lynn a Chinese herbal formula featuring the herbs ginseng and longan to strengthen Lynn's kidney success story and heart energies so that the two systems could work together. In Lynn's case, the kidney energy, a water element in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), was being diverted to care for the baby, which left the heart energy, a fire element, blazing out of control, causing anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. In addition, Dr. Vickers gave Lynn zizyphus, a Chinese herb used for insomnia because it strengthens the yin, the cooling, feminine energy of the body. |
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