Ginseng Herbal Supplements have Health Benefits for Diabetes
Ginseng is a licorice flavored herb with a fleshy root that grows wild in mountainous forests and is cultivated around the world. It was discovered more than 5,000 years ago in China and was believed that the plant removed evil, prolonged life, improved human understanding, helped the heart and bolstered the soul. It was later given the botanical name Panax derived from the Greek for “All Healing or Cure All” and related to the word Panacea. It has been the most highly respected herb since ancient times by both the Chinese and Native American herbalists, known to help the mind and body to be in balance.
Types
There are three main types of this herb white or yellow in color known as American and red in color known as Asiatic.
American (Panax quinquefolium L.)
This one is native to Eastern North America from Southern Ontario to Georgia and as far west as Wisconsin and also grown in China. It gives the body a cooling effect which gives it energy and endurance to help deal with the fast paced, stressful world.
Asiatic (Panax Ginseng)
Asian, Korean, or Chinese are the common names for this herb that refers to a plant native to North Korea and China. Red in color is processed and made from steaming it for 8 – 10 hours then drying, used to warm the body.
Siberian (Eleutherococcus Senticosis)
It is a commonly found product given the common name of ginseng. It is not a truely one or it would have the genus Panax. It is though related to the same plant group as they both are in the Araliaceae family of plants, a very large plant group which includes devil’s club and sarsasparilla. This herb does not have the same chemical properties as the other two. It is grown mainly in Russia, China and Japan.
The Panax roots and herbs have been called adaptogens to increase the body’s resistance and rejuvenate the body’s systems.
Medicinal Uses
- Counteracts effects of physical and emotional stress
- Enhances memory
- Stimulates the immune system
- Spurs the production of the body’s own virus-fighting chemicals
- Helps reduce
cholesterol levels
levels in the body
- Has anti-clotting effects, reducing the risk of arterial blood clots
- Helps control
diabetes
by reducing sugar levels
- Antioxidant, preventing cell damage believed to cause
cancer
- Protects the liver from the effects of drugs,
alcohol
and toxins
- Minimizes cell damage from radiation
- Counteracts fatigue without caffeine and improves stamina
- Increases intestinal absorption of nutrients
It may be effective for treating colds, coughs, rheumatism, neuralgia, gout, diabetes, anemia insomnia, stress, headache, backache and double vision. Women find it helpful in normalizing menstruation and easing childbirth.
Diabetes Connection
Some studies are showing the ginseng (Panax) helps to lower blood sugar levels in
type 2 diabetics
and non-diabetics without making them crash and go too low. It seems to control both spiking and dropping blood sugar levels without causing any new health problems.
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