How ginseng works

Adaptogenic action

Ginseng is beneficial to health and is a restorative and fortifying medicine suitable for those who suffer from tiredness or weakness, or who show a decline in performance and concentration. Likewise, its use is recommended generally for preventing typical illnesses caused by today's lifestyle and to offer protection against ageing.

 

The action of ginseng is not directed against specific diseases and disorders. A healthy body shows no apparent reaction to ginseng. But appearances are deceptive: when the body is subjected to stress, it can cope with this much better. It is able to protect itself against disruptive and illness-inducing influences from external influences (adaptogenic action).

 

This protection can be effective against every form of negative influence: physical, chemical and biological stress (e. g. radiation, allergy-inducing environmental poisons or pathogens) and, likewise against psychological stress, such as that experienced at work or in difficult family situations.

 

The balancing effect

Ginseng has both stimulating and rebuilding properties, as well as calming properties. An explanation for this is provided by the active ingredients contained in ginseng, the ginsenosides. One knows from the two best studied ginsenosides that they are antagonists - which harmoniously compliment one another, just like Yin and Yang in Chinese medicine. One increases blood pressure, has a stimulating action, and promotes performance and the ability to react. Its antagonist reduces blood pressure, soothes agitation and helps one to switch off.

 

 

The most important site of action of the ginsenosides is probably the hypothalamus – a region in the interbrain (diencephalon), from which all hormonal and neuronal processes are regulated that serve the maintenance of a state of equilibrium in the body.