One of the most unusual medicinal plants can be called the “root of life” or ginseng. In ancient times, it was believed that ginseng root could not only cure a seriously ill person, but also save a dying person, giving him strength to fight death. Today, ginseng root is used in folk and official medicine, preparing tinctures and decoctions from it, which help patients recover faster and get back on their feet after serious illnesses, surgical operations or prolonged fatigue. Ginseng root is an almost universal medicine that can help with many different diseases, but we must not forget about contraindications to the use of alcohol or water tinctures of the plant.
Beneficial features
Ginseng is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows primarily in Asia and North America. It belongs to medicinal plants and is used as an adaptogen and tonic. Tinctures, infusions, powders, and dietary supplements are produced from the root. Ginseng is particularly popular in traditional oriental medicine.
The beneficial properties of the plant were first described in the early 17th century, but it is known that ginseng has been used by people for more than 2000 years, not only for medicinal purposes, but also in cooking. True, a few centuries ago only people from the upper class could afford to use ginseng for therapeutic purposes. Today, ginseng products are available to everyone.
The beneficial properties of the tincture are due to its unique chemical composition. It contains:
- saponins;
- biologically active substances;
- peptides;
- polysaccharides;
- vitamins;
- amino acids;
- essential oils;
- macro- and microelements.
The product has an immunostimulating, antiemetic, and general tonic effect. Stimulates appetite, normalizes digestion, strengthens the cardiovascular system, helps eliminate cholesterol and reduce blood glucose.
The tincture stimulates the central nervous system, improves mental and physical performance, normalizes hormonal levels, and increases libido.
Contraindications, symptoms of overdose
When using preparations with ginseng, carefully monitor dosages. The slightest overdose can threaten you with migraines, insomnia and tachycardia, as well as sudden jumps in blood pressure and weakness. Ginseng preparations are strictly prohibited for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Preparations containing ginseng should not be taken during an exacerbation of any disease, especially those in which the body temperature increases, pus is released or abscesses form. Ginseng preparations are not used to treat people suffering from diseases of the thyroid gland, especially its hyperfunction.
It is prohibited to use dietary supplements with ginseng for people suffering from disorders of the central nervous system or psyche, especially those who periodically suffer from seizures.
You should not use ginseng if you have a tendency to bleed. If you suffer from sleep disturbances or nervousness, then consuming ginseng may only make the situation worse.
During the period when you use ginseng, you must completely stop drinking alcoholic beverages. If you decide to heal your body with the help of ginseng preparations, plan it for the cool season. The combination of heat and ginseng will put too much stress on your body. In addition, you should know that healing with ginseng can cause a number of side effects in the body. Your digestion may be upset: vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the stomach. There may be a jump in blood pressure and palpitations. Taking ginseng often causes sleep disturbances, increased nervous excitability and migraine-like pain. Hives may also appear, and you may notice that your nose bleeds periodically.
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Indications for use
So, what can ginseng tincture be used for? As both a therapeutic and prophylactic agent. Doctors recommend the tincture for:
- reduced immunity;
- mental and physical stress;
- neuroses, neurasthenia, asthenia - weakness, headaches, depression;
- arterial hypotension;
- metabolic disease;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.
The tincture is also indicated for the prevention of colds and is used as a general tonic during the recovery period after illness.
For men
The tincture is very popular among men because... it not only has a general strengthening effect, but also has a beneficial effect on the genitourinary area. The product is recommended for:
- hormonal imbalance, decreased libido;
- sexual dysfunction, impotence;
- physical weakness;
- mental overstrain, stress;
- hangover syndrome;
- for the prevention of prostatitis.
Promotes vasodilation and improves blood circulation in the pelvic organs, which, as a result, increases libido and potency. The tincture can also be used as a remedy for baldness. In this case, it is not only consumed internally, but also used externally.
For women
The tincture also has a positive therapeutic effect on the female body. For women, the indications for using ginseng tincture are as follows:
- depression;
- frequent headaches;
- prostration;
- menopause;
- menstrual cycle – reduces pain;
- diseases of the reproductive system;
- decreased sexual activity;
- excess weight – promotes weight loss.
The tincture helps improve the condition of skin, hair and nails. The skin becomes elastic, wrinkles are smoothed out, pores are narrowed and blackheads disappear. The product can be used both internally and externally.
Cooking recipes
Traditional medicine has many recipes for preparing ginseng-based products. For their preparation, the root of the plant is used, either dry or fresh.
Water infusion
The recipe is suitable for people who are contraindicated to use products containing alcohol. To prepare the infusion you will need:
- 1 tbsp. l. – fresh, crushed root;
- 1 l. - water;
- 1 tbsp. l. - honey.
Pour water into an enamel pan, add vegetable raw materials. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer the mixture over low heat for about 5 minutes. Next, strain the broth, cool slightly, add honey. You should drink ginseng water tincture like regular tea.
Alcohol tincture
This product can be purchased at any pharmacy. However, a similar analogue can be made at home. For this you will need:
- 1 l – vodka, homemade moonshine or 0.5 l – 70% alcohol;
- 1 tbsp. l. – dry ginseng powder.
Mix all ingredients in a glass jar. Close the container tightly and leave in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks. Afterwards, it is recommended to strain the tincture through cheesecloth.
For weight loss
People who want to lose excess weight are advised to use the following recipe. To prepare it, you need to take honey and grated fresh root in equal proportions. Mix the ingredients until smooth.
Use 1-2 tsp. 30 minutes before meals. The mixture helps reduce hunger and speeds up metabolic processes.
Ginseng in cosmetology
This miracle plant can also be used in body care. The substances that make up the plant promote rapid cell renewal and inhibit the development of aging processes. The skin becomes more elastic, small wrinkles are smoothed out.
Based on this component, you can prepare excellent anti-aging masks. To do this, finely chop the dry ginseng root. Take two tablespoons of crushed ginseng and add hot water. The result should be a mushy mass. When the mass has cooled, apply it to your face. Place napkins on top. In just twenty minutes you can wash your face.
Ginseng is also used in hair care. In particular, it is good to use this plant in the fight against hair loss. Ginseng increases blood circulation in the scalp, which contributes to proper nutrition and strengthening of hair follicles. Also, its external use helps stimulate hair growth.
You can understand why alcohol tincture of ginseng is useful for hair by preparing a kind of lotion. To do this, pour a tablespoon of crushed plant root with a liter of alcohol. The mixture should be infused for a month. After which the resulting infusion should be rubbed into the scalp every other day.
Reception scheme
The method of application, dosage and other features of therapy using ginseng tincture may differ depending on the severity of the pathology, age or gender of the patient.
Therefore, before starting therapy, it is recommended to consult a doctor who can tell you how much you need to use the drug in a given case and for how long. The universal instructions for using ginseng tincture will be as follows:
- Alcohol 70% tincture is consumed during meals - 15-20 drops. For a home remedy with a strength of 40%, the dose is 25-50 drops diluted in water.
- The medications are taken no later than 4-5 hours before going to bed.
To avoid the body becoming addicted, the drugs should be used correctly - in courses of 20 to 30 days. Next, you should take a break for at least 2 weeks.
Composition of ginseng tincture
In the process of preparing infusions, decoctions, extracts, plant materials transfer vitamins, mineral salts, enzymes, oils and other substances to the liquid. The benefits and harms of ginseng tincture are judged by its biochemical composition.
Among the macro- and microelements identified during the analysis are magnesium and sulfur, phosphorus and iron, copper, as well as more than a dozen other compounds. The list of vitamins that ginseng is rich in includes ascorbic acid, vitamins E, PP and H, as well as a wide range of substances included in the group of vitamins B. Ginseng rhizomes contain sugar and starch, resins and mucus, saponins, pectin and essential oils.
100 grams of dried rhizome contains only 41 kcal. Ginseng tincture absorbs most of the beneficial components and receives an incredible amount of healing properties from the plant.
Contraindications
Despite all the obvious benefits of ginseng, like other medicines, it has some contraindications. The product is not recommended:
- children under 16 years of age;
- pregnant and nursing mothers;
- with high blood pressure;
- insomnia;
- nervous excitability;
- bleeding;
- fever.
The products are also not recommended in case of individual intolerance to the components and infectious diseases in the acute phase.
Side effects
Negative side effects may occur during tincture therapy. These include:
- increased heart rate and blood pressure;
- insomnia;
- irritability;
- blood from the nose;
- rash, redness of the skin.
If these symptoms occur, you should stop the course of treatment and seek help from a doctor.
Types of Ginseng
The following types of Ginseng are known:
- Chinese
(panax ginseng); - American
(quinquefolia ginseng); - Siberian
(Eleutherococcus senticosus).
Chinese ginseng
recognized as the “king of plants”. It grows in forests in northeast China, Korea and Manchuria. Traditional Chinese medicine uses it to activate vital energy. This plant is characterized by having very strong “yang” energy, that is, it has a warming and tonic effect on the body. Its consumption improves immunity, relieves fatigue and stress, slows down the aging process, normalizes blood sugar levels, improves memory and concentration, lowers cholesterol levels and strengthens the heart. In addition, Chinese ginseng has anti-cancer properties. But it should be borne in mind that with excessive consumption of Chinese ginseng, the development of some negative side effects is possible: insomnia, irritability and rapid heartbeat.
American ginseng
grows in eastern North America, extending from Georgia to Quebec. American ginseng is characterized by having a cooler “yin” energy. It tones the body, has a milder effect, helps calm the central nervous system and lower blood pressure. American ginseng can be used longer than Chinese ginseng.
Siberian ginseng
grows in Siberia, China, Korea and Japan. Eleutherococcus promotes overall health and longevity. According to many herbalists, Eleutherococcus is a better remedy for women than true ginseng, especially during menopause and depression associated with PMS. Consumption of Siberian ginseng improves immunity and performance, increases the circulation of white blood cells, increases the effectiveness of radiation treatment and reduces its side effects.
Drug interactions
During research on ginseng, it was discovered that the medicinal properties of drugs based on it can be enhanced or, conversely, weakened when used simultaneously with other medications. For example, it is not recommended to use the tincture together with:
- diuretics;
- analeptics;
- tranquilizers;
- sedatives and psychostimulants.
Ginseng tincture is a remedy that can give you energy, vigor and vitality, as well as improve your health. However, to get the maximum therapeutic effect, you must consult your doctor.
