Ginseng, the ancient and mysterious “tonic root” has been well-known in the Far East for over 5000 years. Ginseng root is shrouded in traditional mysteries and beliefs, because of all the properties it is said to have. The term Ginseng derives from the Chinese name for the plant, « jên shên », « jên » meaning « man » and « shên », « plant ». This refers to the human silhouette shape its root may take, a shape that has even endowed it with magical properties, like the mandragore root in Europe.

This root is considered a universal remedy, a « panacea », hence the name « panax », also used. Thus, the indications of ginseng are numerous.

A general tonic in Chinese traditional medicine, Asian ginseng has recently been recognised as capable of preventing neuron degeneration. For some authors, the regular consumption of ginseng in China explains why there are nearly 5 times fewer neurodegenerative illnesses (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease) than in the United States.

For some time now, it has been known to have many other effects: it protects the cardiovascular system; it stimulates the immune system, exercising anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. It acts on glycaemia, increasing the number of insulin receptors. Ginseng, an energy plant, also has aphrodisiac effects; it treats erectile dysfunction and stimulates the production of testosterone. It also helps women during the menopause.

And finally, ginseng exercises an anti-cancer effect: one of the ginsenosides it contains, Rh2, suppresses the proliferation of human cancer cells in breast, prostate, liver or bowel cancer. Clinical observations have shown that taking ginseng was also accompanied by lesser secondary effects following chemotherapy or radiotherapy.