Ginseng: the main uses

Besides P. ginseng, "Panax quinquefolius", the American ginseng, or the taiga root (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also called Siberian ginseng, are also known. Although the various types of ginseng differ in terms of their ingredients, they are quite similar in their effects.

The dried roots of ginseng are used medicinally. Depending on the production process, a distinction is made between white and red ginseng. White ginseng is between four and six years old and is dried in the sun after harvesting, while red ginseng (ginseng radix rubra) is first treated with hot steam and then dried. This method of preparation is basically an ancient preservation method found empirically. This process caramelizes the sugar it contains and the colour changes from the original white to red. Each of these two variations is subsequently processed into extracts, among other things. Studies that have examined the effects of ginseng preparations often fail to distinguish whether red or white ginseng was used. Therefore, it is difficult to attribute precise effects to the two ginseng variants.

The ginsenosides, which belong to the triterpene saponins and of which more than 30 different compounds are currently known, are primarily responsible for the medicinal effect of the ginseng root. In addition, other ingredients such as polyacetylenes, sesquiterpenes, essential oils, starch and other substances are found in it. These ingredients are believed to have antioxidant, neuroprotective, antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

• Adaptogenic effect:
  Probably the best-known applications of ginseng root are based on its effect as an adaptogen, i.e. its ability to help an organism increase its resistance to physical or psychological stress and to enhance general vitality. That is why preparations containing ginseng are often used as tonics or even against chronic fatigue. Studies have shown that ginsenosides can increase adrenal steroidogenesis via an indirect effect on the pituitary gland. This corticosteroid-like effect of ginseng is thought to be responsible for its adaptogenic properties, as hormones produced by the adrenal gland are known to play an important role in the body's ability to adapt.^{1, 2}
  
  In chronic fatigue, oxidative stress is considered an important trigger. The antioxidant properties of P. ginseng have been described several times, ^{3, 4} as well as its positive effect on fatigue. In a placebo-controlled double-blind study of subjects suffering from chronic fatigue for at least six months, serum concentrations of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, a degradation product of fatty acids and a qualitative marker of lipid peroxidation, were significantly decreased by ingestion of a ginseng extract, while glutathione concentrations and glutathione reductase activity significantly increased. Assessments of mental health (greater effect at 2 g than at 1 g) and fatigue (at 2 g) were also significantly improved.⁴ From (pre)clinical studies, it appears that other mechanisms, such as regulation of glucose metabolism, may likely be responsible for the anti-fatigue effects of ginseng.