Weight Free Lifestyles.com
Health and Beauty Products for Healthy Lifestyles

 

Select a Category:   Diet & Weightloss Health, Anti-Aging Sexual Health Skin, Body, Bath Vitamins, Herbs & More Personal Products: Bikini Shaver Tanning Towel Wrinkle Remover Eye Lift Serum Tooth Whitening Beauty Products Pharmacy Products  USA Pharmacies Foreign Pharmacy Canada Pharmacy HGH Injections  Travel Discounts   Vacation Packages Discount Fares Cruises Travel Luggage Our Herb Manufacturers New Image/Liquidity Advantage Marketing At Last Naturals Youngevity Neurogenesis Dr. Johnson Stimulife Metabolife

Siberian  Article Used for:  Stress and fatigue Artherosclerosis Impaired kidney function General description     Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a shrub, usually 1.52 meters in height, with erect, spiny shoots (4-6 centimeters in diameter) covered with light gray or brownish bark. The leaves are long-petioled in a compound palmate configuration. The leaflets (five) are elliptic and finely serrated at the margins on both sides with scattered, minute spinules along the veins.     Siberian ginseng grows abundantly in parts of the Soviet Far East, Korea, China, and Japan. The root is the most widely used part, with the highest concentration of biologically active substances occurring in the fall just before defoliation. The leaves are also used medicinally. The highest concentration of biologically active substances occurs in July just before flowering. History and folk use The ginseng plants, are among the most honored and ancient of all medicinal herbs. Their use in Chinese herbal medicine dates back more than 4,000 years. Confusion has arisen at times over the lack of specificity in ancient documents with regard to exactly what member of the ginseng family was being prescribed. However, the value of Siberian ginseng as a medicinal agent was certainly known to the Chinese, as is evident by the following Chinese ode to Wujia.     In summary, the Chinese believe that regular use of Siberian ginseng will increase longevity, improve general health, improve the appetite, and restore memory.     Despite a long history of use by the Chinese herbalists (references date back to 2000 B.C.), the Russians have their own history of Siberian ginseng and even go so far as to say, "Eleutherococcus was not known in Oriental folk medicine." The Russian history of Siberian ginseng begins in 1855 when a pair of Russian scientists, C. I. Maximovich and L. Shrenk, traveled from St. Petersburg (now Leningrad) to the Ussuri region of Russia on the Amur river. It was in this area that Maximovich observed a vast thicket of unusual plants with leaves resembling horse chestnut and young shoots resembling ginseng. Unable to identify the plant, the two scientists brought it back to St. Petersburg for classification. The plant was given the genus name of Eleuthero or "free-berried shrub" and the species name of senticosus, which means "thorny" in Latin.     Siberian ginseng remained largely unknown to Russians for roughly 100 years after Maximovich's discovery. It wasn't until the middle of the twentieth century that Siberian ginseng was "discovered," when Russian scientists began investigating substances that produce a "state of nonspecific resistance" on the body. Substances with this effect were termed adaptogens. As defined by Brekhman in 1958, an adaptogen is a substance that (1) must be innocuous and cause minimal disorders in the physiological functions of an organism, (2) must have a nonspecific action (i.e., it should increase the resistance to adverse influences by a wide range of physical, chemical, and biochemical factors), and (3) usually has a normalizing action irrespective of the direction of the pathological state (alterative action).     Brekhman's research with adaptogens began with Panax ginseng, since this was the best known natural adaptogen. After confirming the adaptogenic action of panax in human studies, Brekhman began searching for an alternative to this plant because of the difficulty in obtaining Panax ginseng and its expense. Initially, all six species of Araliaceae native to Russia were investigated, but Siberian ginseng appeared to be the most promising. Numerous studies have been done on Siberian ginseng since the late 1950s, with the overwhelming majority being done in the Soviet Union. SIBERIAN GINSENG Considered a cure-all in China Siberian Ginseng stimulates mental and physical vigor. Among some 2,500 scientific publications on ginseng are several laboratory reports demonstrating anti-fatigue effects, improved stamina and performance, increased alertness and learning ability. Most of these have been confirmed in human trials. Ginseng has been a popular self-medication among people who are feeling their age, undergoing convalescence, under excessive stress or strain, overworked, weakened by chronic illness, needing to achieve peak physical and mental performance. There are a considerable number of reports indicating support for the immune system, restoration of abnormally low blood pressure, improvement in the circulation system, normalization of disturbances in sugar and fat metabolism, anabolic effects in the liver, testes, bone marrow and other vital organs, and generalized anti-toxicity effects. The botanical name of Siberian Ginseng in Greek means "a plant that cures all ills". Ginseng is stimulating for physical activities and can be used as an aphrodisiac because of its healing qualities on the prostate. Ginseng is good for digestion, building strength, supports the adrenal function, reduces stress to the body from chemical or physical stress which aids in breaking some drug dependencies and emotional suffering. It will curb irritability, hastens recovery from surgery, protects against the danger of radiation, and regulates blood sugar. It is nourishing to the male reproductive and circulatory system, a stimulant for brain and memory centers, regulate blood pressure, has a tonic effect on the pituitary gland, fights fatigue and depression, fights free radicals to slow down the effects of aging, and protects from viral infections. Both males and females can take Siberian Ginseng over a long period of time. It should not be used if a person is hypoglycemic. Toxicity Toxicity studies in animals have demonstrated that Siberian ginseng extracts are virtually nontoxic. The LD50 (50 percent lethal dose) of the 33 percent ethanol extract of Siberian ginseng is 14.5 milliliters per kilogram in mice and greater than 20.0 milliliters per kilogram, and no long-term toxicity was observed in rats administered the 33 percent ethanol extract of Siberian ginseng at a daily dose of 5.0 milliliters per kilogram2 In human studies it was demonstrated that Siberian ginseng extracts (33 percent ethanol) are extremely well tolerated and side effects are quite infrequent. However, side effects often reported at higher dosages (4.56 milliliters three times daily) include insomnia, irritability, melancholy, and anxiety. Individuals with rheumatic heart disease have reported pericardial pain, headaches, palpitations, and elevations in blood pressure following the administration of Siberian ginseng. Top   All material and information presented by Weight Free Lifestyles.com is intended for educational purposes only. The Food and Drug Administration have not evaluated the statements made about these products. The information on this site is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding the suggestions and recommendations made at Weight Free Lifestyles.com Herbal Diet Supplements Bonnie Kay Dare-Owner Since 1998 Customer Service & Contact Copyright 1998-2004 All rights reserved Site Design by Cedar Website Design