Ginseng

Long known as a panacea, ginseng is considered excellent for people over 50 to improve vitality and sexual energy. It is also indicated for digestive problems with symptoms such as gas or malabsorption or a feeling of fullness, even after eating only small meals. For the elderly, it is useful for debility, weakness, chronic fatigue, lethargy, and convalescence. This is a good herb to take for chronic infections related to immune weakness. It is one of the most important Chinese medicinal herbs used in all deficiency diseases to tonify the lungs and the stomach and strengthen the digestion. Because your digestion is the source of daily vitality, by improving its efficiency, the immune system and hormonal balance are also strengthened. The red and white varieties of Panax ginseng are described below:

1. Panax ginseng (white varieties)–unsteamed, dried Chinese or Korean ginseng and its preparations are useful for many of the conditions quoted above–it is not excessively warming as are red varieties and can be better-tolerated by young people.

2. Panax ginseng (red varieties)–steamed, dried Chinese or Korean ginseng and its preparations are used for cold, deficient conditions of the lung and digestion. They are often added to modern herbal and dietary energy supplements and sports supplements. It is reputed to increase male and female hormone production, improve sexual vigor in the elderly, and lead to increased energy. It is inappropriate for young people under 40, as it is too heating and stimulating.

3. Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng is an excellent energy and adrenal tonic for all ages that is a cooling ginseng used for people with long-standing conditions with such symptoms as chronic lower back pain, ringing in the ears, night sweats, fatigue, and chronic infections of any kind.

Ginseng has a taste of SWEET, BITTER and a temperature of WARM.