American Ginseng

Question: How many American Ginseng pills should I take daily? I just purchased the Swanson's American Ginseng pills, but I am unsure of how many I should take. I am essentially taking it to increase my energy level and sex drive. I am 21 years old, 5'7", and 158lbs. Thanks in advance!

Answer: According to their website "Two capsules three times a day with water and food"

Question: Is American Ginseng supposed to be a cooling herb or warming herb? I read everywhere that American Ginseng is a cooling herb that helps tonify the lungs, yet when I take American Ginseng, my hands and feet that are usually cold become warm.... how is that possible?....and btw, does American Ginseng have Laxative effects?

Answer: American ginseng = Panax quinquefolius. It is mildly stimulating (including mildly stimulating circulation, which is why your hands and feet warm up when you take it.) The "cooling" nature you've read about is from the perspective of Chinese medicine. It doesn't precisely mean that it'll make you FEEL cooler. Rather, that it is effective for treating what would be considered "heat conditions" in Chinese medicine - such as wheezing, coughs, loss of voice to name a few.) Note: Chinese medicine has a fundamentally different way of looking at medical conditions with respect to "western medicine" that can be difficult to sum up quickly and can sound overly simple if one does not properly understand and apply the philosophy. It is very effective and profound when properly applied... and with true understanding of both, Western and Chinese medicines can be inter-related and applied together.

Question: What are some tricks to finding american ginseng? I have looked and looked and can't find any in the woods. The woods have all the perfect growing conditions, in central new york. do you have to go really far into the woods to find it?? i have also looked near plants that tend to grow near ginseng such as mayapples etc. no luck..

Answer: In new York American ginseng is classified as "Exploitably Vulnerable", so it might be the best to cultivate from seeds or buy some container plants for "home made" ginseng extract. Or to use one of the standardized meds. Nevertheless, here some links: "The Status of American Ginseng Today " and a lot of details about the plant and results of research on occurring populations and re-introducing : http://www.esf.edu/ResOrg/RooseveltWildlife/Research/ginseng/ginseng.htm http://www.esf.edu/ResOrg/RooseveltWildlife/Research/ginseng/Greintroduction.htm A distribution map and some characteristics: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PAQU An image of the flowering plant and growing conditions: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PAQU About cultivation and more: http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/panax_quinquefolius.htm

Question: Does anyone have any tips on finding wild american ginseng? I'd like to go out into the forest and look for some (once the snow melts) but everytime I go look for it I never find any. I look for red berries in like fall and the white flowers too. I live on a mountain with a lot of forest. I live in upstate new york also.

Answer: patience, google it and you will get pictures, also older more mature woods, it likes rocky soil, but hates a high acid soil , it doesnt like a high oak tree count so find woods with other hardwoods in it, you should also find your state regs on hunting it, in ohio you cant harvest until september, it it also can be a federal offense if harvested out of season

Question: Can you bring American Ginseng into Hong Kong? I'm looking to visit Hong Kong and want to give American Ginseng to relatives there. Is it possible to do this? Or do I need some form or papers? I'm not going into China, just Hong Kong.

Answer: yes 100% u can! i always fly back HK fr Canada w/ a lot ginseng. it's so popular to bing some home. n HK is a 100% tax free port.

Question: What is the ideal soil for American Ginseng? Have any tips on growing?

Answer: Woodland soil. Lots of organic matter, cool temperature, mildly acidic, moist and well drained. I've read that ginseng can't tolerate much nitrogen at all.

Question: Through LAX airports, can we bring American ginseng in our luggage? I went to La for a vacation and I'm going to go back to Australia. I was wondering if, we can bring American ginseng back? Will we get through security checks?

Answer: nope, put it in your luggage.

Question: What are the medical purposes of American Ginseng? ?

Answer: Ginseng is not regulated by the FDA as it falls under the food/dietary supplement. It claims to be a mental stimulant that enhances memory. Studies show that it does indeed have physiological effects in the body as a minor vasodilator, but the claim about memory improvement has been proven false.

Question: Has Asian/American Ginseng helped anyone with depression and dealing with stress? Have either of those Ginseng strains had a noticeable positive effect on anyone's well-being? Have they actually increased one's energy? If so, what dose worked, and which strain is better? No Siberian Ginseng to be regarded please, or any other ginseng imitations, thank you.

Answer: Yes. I use chinese gynseng and it really helps my depression, stress, and anxiety. However, I just started using jiaogulan tea and it helps a lot more. Saint johns wort makes me more depressed. Don't use gelatin capsules, vegi capsules are better for your stomach.

Question: What is the rule for importing American Ginseng to the Netherlands? My auntie would like to bring back a box.?

Answer: It depends in which form you are planning to bring it in as, as a powder?, as a tea? as a root? Assuming it is as a root then there is mention of roots on the Dutch version, and I presume it falls under the category of bulbs, and as such then you can bring in max 5 kilos but this is assuming it is not classed as a foodstuff but as a "Phytosanitary'' item http://www.douane.nl/particulier/reizigersbagage/en/reizigersbagage-15.html#P440_29048 However, to be 100% sure it is best to contact the customs office in advance to check. Here are the details (in English) http://www.douane.nl/contact/en/

Question: What are a couple of American energy drinks that are high in Ginseng? I need an American energy drink that is high in ginseng and easy to obtain. Maybe one who's main ingredient is ginseng, but anything is fine. Thanks!

Answer: Arizona Green Tea has Ginseng plus is really tasty I like it a lot in fact I drink a 750ml can daily it really makes me feel good because green tea has antioxidant substances and is good for your health I have never got a flue since I started drinking it I recommend it to all my friends

Question: Does anyone know the current market value of wild mountain American Ginseng?

Answer: No, but something is up. My dad uses ginseng supplements and his 500- pill bottle ran out last week. The grocery was out then and is still out. The pharmacist was as surprised as my dad. Either the supplies ran out or they're being withheld to drive up the price artificially, as so many other items have been lately.

Question: Where to get American Ginseng (real) in San Francisco for the best price. ? Traveling to China to meet my girl friend's parents and want to bring them American ginseng as a gift. Anyone have any ideas where to get the real thing in SF area? Not looking for the standard answer of "herb shop in China Town". Fact is that most shops in China Town that sell "American Ginseng" are in fact not selling American, but some other form. Looking for a repritable dealer with good prices.

Answer: Go to China town herb store. The best grade of Chinese herbs are usually reserved for practitioners. However, for Ginseng that is not true. It is widely available through retail distribution. The Korean Ginseng is not easy to obtain unless you go through approved distributors. The American Ginseng, of which most are grown in Marathon Country, Wisconsin, are widely available and not likely to be fake. Yang Sam as it is called or White Gingseng to differentiate with Hong Sam or Red Ginseng, has milder and less heat, therefore safer for longer term use. Again, your best bet is Chinatown and go to Chinese herb stores and educate yourself as to the different grades and prices and obtain best product. Otherwise, on-line purchases such as http://www.schumacherginseng.com/ordernew.html (located in Marathon Wisconsin is the next step.

Question: What is difference between American and Korean Ginseng Root Tea? Which one is better, in the local store, the korean brand is clearly cheaper than U.S. one.

Answer: American Ginseng is grown here in the United States, I believe mostly in Texas, and isn't respected as being a very potent variety. While Korean Ginseng is mostly grown and harvested in Korea, and is supposedly the most potent variety as far as active ingreidients. You can always find a product that's called Triple Ginseng, which is Korean, American, and Siberian in it if you're not sure.

Question: what is the difference between Asian and American ginseng? Which is the better? I'm looking for a recommendation for ginseng supplement

Answer: Ginseng can differ depending upon the species, the way it is prepared, and of course the dose administered. There are two main kinds of Ginseng: American and Asian. American Ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, grows wild in many states although it is cultivated mainly in Wisconsin. American Ginseng generates body fluids and is said to clear heat. Those who can benefit most from American Ginseng are individuals that are under stress, athletes, and people who feel hot and thirsty. They may also have coughing, or coughing up blood, which indicates heat according to traditional Chinese Medicine. Asian Ginseng, Panax Ginseng, is usually imported to the US from either China or Korea. It is traditionally used to treat cold syndromes, which include cold limbs, weak pulse, exhaustion, and shortness of breath. White Ginseng usually refers to untreated ginseng, and is said to be less warm than red Ginseng. Typically red Ginseng is steamed and cured with other herbs giving it a dark red appearance; most Korean Ginseng is red.

Question: intake of calcium carbonate, american ginseng, gingko biloba at once? does intake of calcium carbonate with magnesium and vitamin d, american ginseng, and gingko biloba at once impair the absorption of one another? im taking the recommended does of each other, but i split it 3 times a day

Answer: Calcium, Magnesium and D can be taken at the same time with no ill effect - they do not "inhibit" (the proper term) the absorption of the others. Your intestines have a "dose limiting" property of sorts - they can only absorb so much in any single interval - so you should take no more than 500 mgs of calcium at one time - splitting the doses is a very good idea. American Ginseng and Gingko should not inhibit each other, however, the effect of each may be additive (in other words, they are "close enough" in certain properties that you might increase the effect of each. I hope that makes sense. What are you taking them for would be my concern - ifs it's for energy/increased circulation, then one would most likely be enough - and in that case, I would chose the Ginko - cheaper, and not an endanged species, more scientific reliability to go by - if its as a tonic - I would go with Panax ginseng before the America - same reasons. Anyways - you wanna make sure you are not taking too much Gingko - its blood thinning qualities can make it problematic if you take too much, especially if you take aspirin on occassion. Three times a day of most products I know would be pushing that limit for sure. Two is probably plenty.