Diabetes and Ginseng

Ginseng a magical herb trusted over 5000 years for its ability to promote vigor, nourish nervous system, enhances hormonal secretion, lower blood-sugar & cholesterol, and increases immunity.

What is Ginseng?

Ginseng is a slow growing perennial plant with fleshy roots of the genus Panax family Araliaceae.

Ginseng is suitable for cooler climates, and it is found in the Northern Hemisphere, in North America and in eastern Asia (Korea, north China, and eastern Siberia).

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a true ginseng; another is American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). An herb called Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is not a true ginseng.

Diabetes Ginseng

Ginseng has a long history of herbal use over 5,000 years. It is one of the most highly regarded herbal medicines gained the reputation for being able to promote health, general body vigor and prolong life. Ginseng can also be useful to treat diabetes and cholesterol.

Different ginsengs available: Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Japanese Ginseng (Panax japonicus), and American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).

Ginseng energizing medication tea - Ginseng root powder is boiled with water, steep it for 5 to 10 minutes and separate the extract. If it require sweetened with stevia, flavor with coriander and have a nice medicated energetic tea. In addition, it can be stored in fridge and have cold tea flavored with natural vanilla instead of coriander.

Bioactive constituent of Ginseng - The dried roots and rhizomes of ginseng contain many important constituents, includes ginseng saponins, ginseng oils and phytosterol, carbohydrates/sugars, nitrogenous substances, amino acids and peptides, organic acids, vitamins and minerals, and certain enzymes. Among these, ginseng saponins are the most active constituents.

Hypoglycemic action mechanism of Ginseng - The hypoglycemic activity of ginseng glycopeptides (GGP) may be due to the enhancement of aerobic glycolysis through stimulation of beta-adrenoceptor and increase of various rate-limiting enzyme activities related to tricarboxylic acid cycle. The mechanisms of American ginseng root in the treatment of diabetes remain a mystery. Initial studies have shown that American ginseng increases insulin production and reduces cell death in pancreatic β-cells. In addition, studies have revealed American ginseng's ability to decrease blood-glucose in type II diabetes patients.

Ginseng diabetes dosage - Generally recommended daily dosage of ginseng is 1 g to 2 g of raw herb, or 200 mg daily of an extract. Ginseng is not normally suggested for pregnant women. The length of treatment for ginseng is around three weeks. Excess dosage can cause headaches, restlessness and raised blood pressure, especially when taken with caffeine, alcohol, turnips, and spicy foods.

Ginseng Diabetes Safety - Ginseng appears to be nontoxic, both in the short and long-term, according to the results of studies in animals. Reported rare cases of breast tenderness, postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, and menstrual abnormalities associated with ginseng use. Chinese’s tradition suggests pregnant or nursing mothers should not use ginseng. Animal study shows that ginseng use by a pregnant mother may cause birth defects.

Ginseng Diabetes Studies

1. Ginseng therapy in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. This study is conducted by E A Sotaniemi, E Haapakoski and A Rautio at Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland. This study result show, Ginseng therapy elevated mood, improved psychophysical performance, and reduced fasting-blood-glucose (FBG) and body weight. The 200-mg dose of ginseng improved glycated hemoglobin, serum PIIINP, and physical activity. Placebo reduced body weight and altered the serum lipid profile but did not alter FBG. Ginseng may be a useful therapeutic adjunct in the management of NIDDM.
2. Korean red ginseng stimulates the insulin release from isolated rat pancreatic islets. This study is conducted by Kim K, Kim HY at Food Convergence Technology Division, Korea Food Research Institute, Kyonggi-do, Republic of Korea. This study result show that Korean red ginseng display beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes at least in part via the stimulation of insulin release in a glucose-independent manner. You can visit Pubmed (National Center for Biotechnology Information) for further information. 
3. Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves glucose and insulin regulation in well-controlled, type 2 diabetes: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety. This study is conducted by Vuksan V, Sung MK, Sievenpiper JL, Stavro PM, Jenkins AL, Di Buono M, Lee KS, Leiter LA, Nam-KY, Arnason JT, Choi M, Naeem A Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. This study result show, as assessed by HbA1c, was not demonstrated, 12 weeks of supplementation with the selected Korean red ginseng treatment maintained good glycemic control and improved plasma glucose and plasma insulin regulation safely beyond usual therapy in people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Further investigation with similarly selected KRG treatments may yield clinical efficacy. You can visit Pubmed (National Center for Biotechnology Information) for further information. 
4. Effects of American ginseng berry extract on blood-glucose-levels in ob/ob mice. This study is conducted by Xie JT, Aung HH, Wu JA, Attel AS, Yuan CS at Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. This study result show antihyperglycemic and antiobese activity of American ginseng berry extract that may prove to be of clinical importance in the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes. You can visit Pubmed (National Center for Biotechnology Information) for further information. 
5. Effect of Panax ginseng supplementation on biomarkers of glucose tolerance, antioxidant status, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic subjects: results of a placebo-controlled human intervention trial. This study is conducted by Ma SW, Benzie IF, Chu TT, Fok BS, Tomlinson B, Critchley LA. Diabetes Obes Metab. Mar 18, 2008. This study result shows that there may be some benefit of ginseng supplementation in terms of lowering insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic subjects, but not concerning improving oxidant: antioxidant balance. They write that the mechanism of action for the positive effects of Asian ginseng supplementation on fasting-blood-sugar-levels and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients seen in this study remains to be determined. Possible mechanisms include effects on 'insulin release from pancreatic beta cells, insulin-stimulated glucose disposal' and increasing insulin sensitivity related to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor.

Ginseng Benefits - Medicinal Uses

The ginseng root has many benefits as listed below.

• Vitalize, strengthen, and rejuvenate the entire body.
• Promote general mental and physical well being.
• Adaptogen - substances usually plant derived, that assist the body to restore itself to health and work without any unwanted effects even if the recommended dose is widely exceeded.
• Carminative - An agent who prevents or relieves flatulence (gas in the gastrointestinal tract) and, in infants, it may help in the treatment of colic.
• Expectorant - Promoting or facilitating the secretion or expulsion of phlegm, mucus, or other matter from the respiratory tract.
• Demulcent - soothe or soften especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes.
• Stimulant and tonic - a drug or similar substance increases physiological activity (stimulating agent).
• It stimulates as well as relaxes the nervous system.
• Promotes the secretion of hormones
• Enhance stamina.
• Lowers blood-sugar and cholesterol
• Increases immunity against diseases
• Used in the treatment of debility by old age or illness, appetite loss, insomnia, stress, and shock.

Ginseng diabetes natural treatment procedure

Ginseng is effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes without any unwanted effects. Do not give up the diabetes conventional medications; take ginseng along with it, until the glucose level in blood reaches normal. Then slowly reduce the dosage of the conventional medicine and finally discard, if possible. For type 1 diabetes, take the ginseng along with insulin therapy, in a due course, you may be able to reduce insulin shot’s requirement.