What Is Ginseng? Ginseng has been used in Asian countries for thousands of years. It is a safe and natural stimulant with long-range restorative influences. Ginseng is the edible root of a deciduous perrennial herb that is found and grown in North America and in various regions of Asia. It belongs to the natural order of Araliacea. Considered by traditional herbalists as the "king" of herbs, ginseng's adaptogenic properties and tonic effects make it highly prized. What Are The Different Types of Ginseng? Ginseng is found in two forms: Panax ginseng (Oriental ginseng, primarily found in China & Korea), considered to have 'heating' ginsenosies (the active ingredients of the herb), is regarded as a 'winter month' herb. Panax quinquefolium (American ginseng, found in North America), considered to have 'cooling' ginsenosides, is regarded as a 'summer month' herb. The roots, wild and cultivated, can be either white (naturally dried, unprocessed root) or red (heat and steam-treated root; older, more mature roots are typically used for this process; also thought to have greater ginsenoside properties). How Is Ginseng Used? The root is prepared in a varietyof methods; whole root, root slices, powder, capsules of powder, caplets (pressure-packed powder), extracts/tinctures, root tea bags, instant teas (extracts sprayed with glucose), pasty concentrated extracts for beverages. In extracts/tinctures, ginseng is often coupled with other herbs for more well-rounded restorative effects (such as bee pollen, astralagus, royal jelly and honey). Depending on one's preferences, any of these are suitable for reinvigorating the body and mind. Why Do People Take Ginseng? Ginseng, traditionally, has been used for a plethora or reasons--ranging from supporting mental well-being to aiding sexual function. For thousands of years, ginseng has been highly sought after to boost energy levels and for its adaptogenic properties in helping people respond better to stress related conditions, support the imune system, and balance and restore the body and mind. When Do People Take Ginseng? Ginseng can be taken anytime. In order to obtain the optimal absorption, many people take ginseng on an empty stomach (such as before breakfast). How Long Before Benefits Are Noticed? The benefits vary from person to person because of different body types and lifestyles. As with any dietary regimen, results don't happen overnight; the best results come out of established good habits. Generally, people notice ginseng's effects anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 month of regular use. Are There Any Precautions? As with any dietary supplement, pregnant and lactating women should consult their health care practitioner before taking ginseng. Since ginseng is a natural stimulant, one shold avoid taking other stimulatnts such as caffeine or other drugs. (Mulcogi's note: People with hypertension, should be careful using ginseng, especially the Asian varieties, due to their strong stimulant nature.) American Ginseng Products Korean Ginseng Products Chinese Ginseng Products