American Ginseng > Uses

Nutritional Supplement

American Ginseng

Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)

Many Native American tribes used American ginseng. Medicinal applications ranged from digestive disorders to sexual problems.4 The Chinese began to use American ginseng after it was imported during the 1700s.5 The traditional applications of American ginseng in China are significantly different from those for Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng).5

References

1. Shibata S, Tanaka O, Shoji J, Saito H. Chemistry and pharmacology of Panax. Econ Med Plant Res 1:218–84.

2. Morris AC, Jacobs I, McLellan TM, et al. No ergogenic effect on ginseng ingestion. Int J Sport Nutr 1996;6:263-71.

3. Vuksan V, Sivenpiper JL, Koo VYY, et al. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) reduces postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:1009-13.

4. Duke J. Ginseng: A Concise Handbook. Algonac, MI: Reference Publications, 1989, 36.

5. Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1993, 358-9.

6. Foster S. Herbs for Health. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1996, 48-9.

7. Yun TK, Choi Y. Preventive effect of ginseng intake against various human cancers: A case-control study on 1987 pairs. Cancer Epidem Biomarkers Prev 1995;4:401-8.