Prolonged use of Ginseng

[The Whyzyrd]

Anyone know if there are side affects or such from extended use of Ginseng?

If I injest it, say, twice a day (in pill form) every day - does this have problems?

[Outcast]

Having checked my ever reliable book of herbs, its recommended that you take a two week break every two months. I dont know the exact side effects of OD on ginseng only that it is not suitable for those with high blood pressure as its a powerful stimulant (having high BP I wont touch it).

I hope this is of some help, maybe one of the other guys can throw some light on the side effects.

Cheers

Outcast

[The Whyzyrd]

Thanx :)

[The Whyzyrd]

Thanx :)

[Repulsive Monkey]

I wouldn't advise that Ginseng be repeatedly taken unless there is a prescribed reason for it i.e. internal cold/damp or Kidney deficiencies. Ginseng is a powerful stimulant but is alo a heat genrating herb which if there is already heat in the body it can add to it and causing too much heat. I found that after a spell of low energy i carried on taking Ginseng and it had effects upon my stomach causing bloating and distension and loads of belching caused by the unecessary heat it created. If you are not in need of it don't take it! It is a Yang herb and should be used to balance up the effects of a Yin complaint.

[The Whyzyrd]

Thanx again. I have been getting WAAAAY too little sleep the past few months due to life things and have been using it to keep my eyes open (better than caffeine - I think) so I was wondering.

[Repulsive Monkey]

Thats hardly accurate that statement. Overuse of Ginseng does not not necessarily make you used to it at all. Where did you come up with that rubbish? Overuse of it, as it is a warming tonifying herb, can in occassions create too much heat and can even cause bleeding too if added repitively to a condition which already is heat based. People who have excessive conditions can be pushed over the dge if too much tonfication is administered, so this rather negates your over generalisation.

[Repulsive Monkey]

I does not matter at all if Chinese Ginseng isn't as warming, the fact is is that it is a Tonifying herb, therefore that alone can cause problems if someone already suffers fron heat conditions. The tonification will amplify the heat conditions and thus escalate it. The strength of it its heating properties is irrelevant in this case (partially).
It is a Yang herb. Yang herbs are not always a good thing to use if someone has a full Yang condition.

[Repulsive Monkey]

You really don't know much about Chinese Medicine do you???? Of course you can use Ginseng if you're under 40, whoever gave that advice should be ignored in future due to being inept and uneducated. Anyone at all who suffers with Kidney Jing or Kidney Yin conditions can be prescribed Ginseng. People who suffer with Kidney Qi softness are more than likely to be prescribed with it too or Kidney Yin-Fluid overflowing conditions. I think its safe to say you haven't ever studied Chinese Medicine have you?

[Repulsive Monkey]

I really don't mean to sound insulting but you sound rather mixed up!! It's never a good idea to mix different disciplines of medicine together unless you know their ramifications to a significant degree. Thats just asking for trouble. And your statement about being a naughty school boy and experimenting with Ginseng...so whats the deal there??? you can buy ginseng over the counter in most stores almost anywhere in the world. It's not a class A drug you know?!!

[Kristoffer]

dont u go die on me man :D

[guohuen]

No way Bro! I'm going down swinging if I go down!:D

[uki]

LOL. i once lived in marilyn coopers attic in stroudsburg... she gave me a bag of ginseng roots for about a week until she saw i was eating them everyday, periodically thru-out the day... LOL... i felt like i was speeding - my eyes were all dilated... i was a mess. anyhow, she took the bag away for a week and then gave it back to me and told me to be more careful... i kept that bag for like 3 years or so. my favorite was a root re-hydrated in water, blended into puree and shot like a whisky. YOW!! talk about a kick in the a$$!! :D

[mickey]

Greetings,

I also learned about taking a week or two break from using the stuff. I learned this from a middle aged Russian.

I found ginseng to be incredibly stimulating, to the point of actually weakening my constitution; thereby, creating a condition identical to the munchies, a desperate attempt to replace all the energy that was expended in one shot. Needless to say, I had some very embarassing moments eating in public.


mickey

[PlumDragon]

Those pills arent as strong as a good decoction, so youll have less issues with it whether it unbalances you or not. However, youll likely never run into a practicioner telling you to take any single herb--These sorts of things work best when combined with other herbs.

With that said, its never a bad idea to take an occasional break from tonics, regardless of potency or action....

[mawali]

If I remember correctly from my TCM school days with herbal medicine (I will have to find some of my books) there are actually 4 main areas where ginseng is grown:
1. China
2. Korea
3. Russia
4. USA

Korean ginseng is known to be the 'better' variety andthe USA variety, though quality is not as strong, its effects are such that it can be used for longer periods of time by itself but for the synergistic effect, it should blended as such with the appropriate herb for the result needed. The Chinese and Russian version may be potent, depending on the characteristics of the location (latitude/longitude/cover/soil conditions).

Individual constitution usually determines if it is warming or not. Some people can handle once a week, others every other day, while the weaker individual may need to take it for x days in a row followed by a washout period (no ginseng for 2-3 weeks, then take for a week.

[mickey]

Hi mawali,

I have been told that American ginseng is so abundamt that it has been brought and resold under a different national flag. Have you heard about this?

mickey

[uki]

Hi mawali,

I have been told that American ginseng is so abundamt that it has been brought and resold under a different national flag. Have you heard about this?

mickeyall i know is that american ginseng is rare in my area, but i have a few spots in the woods where i have found it growing in plentiful amounts... there is another variety which i know merely as "dwarf ginseng" - the root is about the size of a marble... my mycology mentor showed it to me... apparently american ginseng was harvested and sold for its medicinal purpose early in the century, but that tradition has been lost since the rise of the big pharm and franken-medicine agenda.

[mawali]

Hi mawali,

I have been told that American ginseng is so abundamt that it has been brought and resold under a different national flag. Have you heard about this?

mickey

Some Asian companies buy American ginseng and resell it. They mix it with certain herbal varieties as a tonic.