Ginseng is a broad term describing many species of plants, most of which are closely related.
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) grows wild in many states although it is cultivated mainly in North-Central Wisconsin. American Ginseng was widely distributed throughout the eastern United States and Canada, but has become quite rare and even endangered in some areas. Now cultivated, this slow-growing perennial is grown for 3-5 years before the roots are harvested for use.
American ginseng is mostly available as a dried root powder, although extracts or even standardized extracts are available.
The active constituents in American ginseng seem to be the saponins called ginsenosides. There are at least 18 different ginsenosides, with similar chemical structures. American ginseng has not been studied to the extent of its Korean counterpart, but it is thought to have much of the same activities. Some have said that the American Ginseng is more of a relaxing tonic, rather than the stimulating tonic of the Korean variety.
Generating body fluids, it is said to clear heat. Those who can benefit most from American Ginseng are individuals who are under stress, athletes, possibly diabetics and people who feel hot and thirsty. According to traditional Chinese medicine, coughing or coughing up blood indicates heat.
American ginseng may help control the blood sugar surge that generally occurs after eating. Researchers tested the effects of American ginseng on 10 non-diabetic adults and nine adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetics experienced a significant reduction (20%) in blood glucose two hours after treatments, regardless of whether they took the herb before or during the meal.