Canada's stand on ginseng

"Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/speccrop/ginseng/ginseng-why.pdf

GINSENG –
WHY AND HOW IT IS
USED
Note: This document is not intended as an endorsement for ginseng. Rather,
it is a review of literature for clarification as to how ginseng is used and
why.

Introduction

This document will discuss both American and Asian ginseng together as
they are used as similar yet complementary medicinal/herbal products.
Ginseng is often consumed simply as a herbal tea, it is also a good tonic
and is used in many traditional Chinese medicinal formulas.

Ginseng is a very versatile plant and is consumed by more people and in
greater quantities than any other single herb. To understand the botanical
aspects of ginseng, refer to a companion document of this one called
“Ginseng—What it is and Isn’t.” It discusses the commercial ginseng
(Panax ) group, (three species), plus other ginseng species, plants related
to ginseng and many of the impostors known to this author. Impostors are
plants using ‘ginseng’ in their common name that don’t have Panax as the
genus portion of the Latin name, i.e. American Ginseng is Panax
quinquefolius,
Asian ginseng is Panax ginseng while poor man’s ginseng is Codonopsis
pilosula,
an impostor.

Chemical Differences

The differences between Asian and American ginseng is chemical rather than
physical. They look very similar when growing, but produce slightly
different
chemistry which is stored in their roots. The chemicals specific to ginseng
are
called ginsenocides, a group of closely related saponins. Some basic
differences
between Asian and American are: for example; the ginsenocide Rb1 is greater
in
American ginseng, Rg1 is greater in Asian, Rf is basically non-existent in
American
ginseng and American ginseng has approximately twice the amount of total
ginsenocides. There are over 25 ginsenocides identified but only six or
seven are
of any significance. Along with these special chemicals, ginseng contains
protein,
carbohydrate, sugar, vitamins and minerals in varying amounts, as they do in
all
vegetables.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food
162 Oriole Road
Kamloops, BC V2C 4N7
Phone: (250) 371-6059
Fax: (250) 828-4631

Revised October 1999 Ginseng Note 97-02

2 BCMAF An Information Guide. Part 2/Revised October 1999

Choosing the Product (species)

When deciding which type of ginseng (American or Asian) you should take,
there are some minor differences you need to understand. Asian ginseng is
considered a yang product or one that is heat producing or stimulating,
especially the ‘red’ ginseng products (described later). It is taken by the
elderly,
the ill, and in cooler seasons.

American ginseng is considered a Yin product or one that is cooling or non-
stimulating. It would be used by the young and middle aged, for stress and
in
warmer seasons.

Note: These above are only guidelines, as some find the Asian product
stimulating in any season, and American ginseng can be taken all year.

In available literature, ginseng is said to treat many conditions or to
influence
many body functions to keep you healthy. One statement was that ginseng
caused the person to feel better, have more energy, be more alert and to
sleep
less. In this sense, ginseng is seen as a tonic, where you would take a
little bit
every day for the cumulative effects. One of the new buzzwords used in the
last
few years and being attached to ginseng is "adaptogen". This word means the
product helps the whole body adapt to the stresses of life, which may be
external,
internal, physical or mental. The word adaptogen can only be applied to a
herbal
product if it is:

¨ non-toxic
¨ non-specific and
¨ producing a normalizing effect

Daily Consumption

The amounts prescribed for daily consumption vary considerably according to
age, body size, temperament and health. As a tonic or adaptogen, the general
amount recommended varies from .5 – 1 gms per day. This would be for
example,
one to four 500 mg capsules/day, or when consuming tea and using a 2 gm tea
bag, one to two times/day. Combination of ginseng products is quite
acceptable.

For medicinal use for short periods, from 2 – 4 gms/ day might be used. This
amount is not recommended over the long term and would also be quite
expensive.

Note: If you are taking other medications, have any extreme health
conditions, or
are pregnant, don’t take ginseng or any other herbal products without the
full
knowledge and consent of your regular doctor.

Ginseng comes with few warnings about possible negative effects. These
include:

¨ May alter menstral cycles if taken in large amounts
¨ May increase menstral flow if taken in large amounts
¨ May not be of any benefit if the user is obese

Note: Ginseng, like any substance, may cause adverse reactions in some
people,
but this is quite rare. If this happens, do not continue. Make sure you are
taking
a true ginseng product. (See Ginseng—What It Is and Isn't.)

Purchasing Information

When you purchase ginseng, the following points may be helpful.

1. Older ginseng roots have more potency but are also more expensive.

2. Wild roots or woods grown will be more expensive and generally more
potent as they usually are harvested as older roots.

3. Whole root products have more benefit over ones made only from hair roots
and larger fibre roots. The whole root according to many, has a synergistic
effect,
i.e. where the whole works better than any one part, as it includes all the
ginsenocides,
and all other constituents.

4. Ginseng, like many other products, can be adulterated or mixed with
fillers to
stretch the ginseng. Look for 100 percent ginseng products.

5. The word ‘ginseng’ on the label does not assure you are getting American
or
Asian ginseng. It could be, and often is, Siberian ginseng, a related but
different plant
and can also be any one of a number of plants (see “Ginseng—What it Is and
Isn’t”,
Ginseng Factsheet 97-01). 3 BCMAF An Information Guide. Part 2/ Revised
October 1999

6. You should know your source, quality and age of the product you use.
Ginseng
has a good shelf life if handled and stored well but root over three years
from
harvest is questionable.

7. There are ‘guaranteed potency’ products on the market, which are
chemically
enhanced and guaranteed to be a certain percent ginsenocide. These are good
products if you are buying ginsenocides but may have less than 100 percent
ginseng in them, i.e., not a whole root product as you can extract, then add
ginsenocides to many things.

8. In the Asian market, the shape of the root is important and is one of the
subjective criterion for purchase. The common name ‘Man Root’ implies that
if
a root has a particular shape it is better. Asians typically purchase
identifiable root
products.

9. ‘Red’ ginseng is a processed product, made by steaming ginseng roots for
eight – ten hours. It is not a separate species of ginseng. Red ginseng
products
are usually made from Asian ginseng.

Check out what they say about adaptogen...
Buzzword! lol

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/speccrop/ginseng/ginseng-why.pdf

[...]
One of the new buzzwords used in the

Quoted message said:

last
few years and being attached to ginseng is "adaptogen". This word means

the

Quoted message said:

product helps the whole body adapt to the stresses of life, which may be
external,
internal, physical or mental. The word adaptogen can only be applied to a
herbal product if it is:

¨ non-toxic
¨ non-specific and
¨ producing a normalizing effect

[...]

"Nana Weedkiller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Check out what they say about adaptogen...
Buzzword! lol

I guess ignorance is bliss.

Actually an adaptogen is nature's solution to sickness.

To be considered an adaptogen, a plant must conform to the following
criteria:

The plant must be nontoxic and totally harmless to the body. It must allow
the continuing normal physiological functioning of the individual.
The action it exerts must be nonspecific and should maintain normal body
functions despite a wide range of onslaughts to the body (i.e., stress).
It should normalize body functions irrespective of existing pathological
condition.
This is a tall order for one substance. Unlike drugs which carry with them
the possibility of side effects, adaptogens must benefit the body without
disturbing it or doing any harm. Not many plants possess adaptogenic
properties.

Serious research on adaptogens began in 1947 under the auspices of Dr.
Nicole Laserev from Russia. He reported on several indigenous plants that
helped increase the body's natural resistance to environmental stresses and
later coined the term "adaptogens."

Now perhaps you won't have to appear so foolish next time.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/speccrop/ginseng/ginseng-why.pdf

[...]
One of the new buzzwords used in the

Quoted message said:

last
few years and being attached to ginseng is "adaptogen". This word means

the

Quoted message said:

product helps the whole body adapt to the stresses of life, which may be
external,
internal, physical or mental. The word adaptogen can only be applied to

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

herbal product if it is:

¨ non-toxic
¨ non-specific and
¨ producing a normalizing effect

[...]

Quoted message said:

Subject: Re: Canada's stand on ginseng
From: "Dave" [email hidden]
Date: 9/28/2003 5:39 AM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id: <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I guess ignorance is bliss.

yours apparently is

Quoted message said:

Actually an adaptogen is nature's solution to sickness.

a totally made up word

Quoted message said:

To be considered an adaptogen, a plant must conform to the following
criteria:

The plant must be nontoxic and totally

Quoted message said:

harmless to the body.

hmmmm...so you are saying that the great ginseng is "totally
harmless"....unless of course one has a clotting problem and on Coumadin??

hmmmm....how about St Johns wort?? side effects and interactions fill a page..

hmmmm...heroin is a plant...does that make it an adaptogen??

what a laugh...you are loony enuf to take ANY printed word..and if it agrees
with YOUR looniness,,,then you believe it without question..

and without knowledge of human physiology

yikes

Quoted message said:

It should normalize body functions irrespective of existing pathological
condition.

that is about the stupidest statement you have copied in weeks...."normalize
body functions irrespectibe of existing pathological conditions"

hmmmm....one cure fits all..

Quoted message said:

Unlike drugs which carry with them
the possibility of side effects, adaptogens must benefit the body without
disturbing it or doing any harm. Not

see above....ginseng has more than "possibilities" of side effects....
hawki

In article <[email hidden]>,

Dave said:

"Nana Weedkiller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Check out what they say about adaptogen...
Buzzword! lol

I guess ignorance is bliss.

Actually an adaptogen is nature's solution to sickness.

To be considered an adaptogen, a plant must conform to the following
criteria:

The plant must be nontoxic and totally harmless to the body.

Then ginseng is not an adaptogen, by your own criteria.

[Remainder snipped]

--
Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
|
|"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you
| inconvenience me with questions?"

In article <[email hidden]>,

Dave said:

"Nana Weedkiller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Check out what they say about adaptogen...
Buzzword! lol

I guess ignorance is bliss.

So you've said before. We explained it's the reason you're such a
happy (though venal and clueless) person.

Quoted message said:

Actually an adaptogen is nature's solution to sickness.

To be considered an adaptogen, a plant must conform to the following
criteria:

The plant must be nontoxic and totally harmless to the body.

There is no substance on earth that meets this definition.

Quoted message said:

It must allow the continuing normal physiological functioning of the
individual.

As has already been pointed out to your dimwitted self, some people
are allergic to ginseng. It's in the medical literature. You could
check that yourself, except that you're probably too stupid to use
PubMed.

Quoted message said:

The action it exerts must be nonspecific and should maintain normal body
functions despite a wide range of onslaughts to the body (i.e., stress).

"Nonspecific?" How dopey can you get? I want something that *is*
specific and will address whatever is wrong with me.

Quoted message said:

It should normalize body functions irrespective of existing pathological
condition.

Should be easy to find such a thing, if you have a magic wand.

Quoted message said:

This is a tall order for one substance.

You can say that again. And ginseng doesn't qualify.

Quoted message said:

Unlike drugs which carry with them the possibility of side effects,
adaptogens must benefit the body without disturbing it or doing any
harm. Not many plants possess adaptogenic properties.

Zero == "not many".

-- David Wright :: alphabeta at prodigy.net
These are my opinions only, but they're almost always correct.
"If I have not seen as far as others, it is because giants
were standing on my shoulders." (Hal Abelson, MIT)

"David Wright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Dave said:

"Nana Weedkiller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Check out what they say about adaptogen...
Buzzword! lol

I guess ignorance is bliss.

So you've said before. We explained it's the reason you're such a
happy (though venal and clueless) person.

Quoted message said:

Actually an adaptogen is nature's solution to sickness.

To be considered an adaptogen, a plant must conform to the following
criteria:

The plant must be nontoxic and totally harmless to the body.

There is no substance on earth that meets this definition.

There are many. It is only in the confines world of your world that no such
thing exists.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It must allow the continuing normal physiological functioning of the
individual.

As has already been pointed out to your dimwitted self, some people
are allergic to ginseng. It's in the medical literature. You could
check that yourself, except that you're probably too stupid to use
PubMed.

That would be like searching mothernature.com for Coumadin.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The action it exerts must be nonspecific and should maintain normal body
functions despite a wide range of onslaughts to the body (i.e., stress).

"Nonspecific?" How dopey can you get? I want something that *is*
specific and will address whatever is wrong with me.

I know you've had this explained to you by every informed individual that
has passed
through here, but it is ONLY physicians in North America who aren't trained
to be able
to treat on any broader basis than one disease, one drug. Your mind set is
the product
of drug company brainwashing of a shrinking mindless herd.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It should normalize body functions irrespective of existing pathological
condition.

Should be easy to find such a thing, if you have a magic wand.

Quoted message said:

This is a tall order for one substance.

You can say that again. And ginseng doesn't qualify.

Quoted message said:

Unlike drugs which carry with them the possibility of side effects,
adaptogens must benefit the body without disturbing it or doing any
harm. Not many plants possess adaptogenic properties.

Zero == "not many".

-- David Wright :: alphabeta at prodigy.net
These are my opinions only, but they're almost always correct.
"If I have not seen as far as others, it is because giants
were standing on my shoulders." (Hal Abelson, MIT)

Quoted message said:

Subject: Re: Canada's stand on ginseng
From: "Dave" [email hidden]
Date: 9/28/2003 4:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id: <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

That would be like searching mothernature.com for Coumadin.

perhaps a simple PDR would be easier for you

Quoted message said:

but it is ONLY physicians in North America who aren't trained
to be able
to treat on any broader basis than one disease, one drug. Your mind set is
the product

"one disease,,one drug"??????? surely you have not a clue...if you think there
is only ONE one drug per disease...

what he meant was....you are saying "one herb ,,,ALL diseases" as if it were
logical to think that ONE herb with NON specific action" would be effective...

keep with the topic Davey..

hawki

"Hawki63" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Subject: Re: Canada's stand on ginseng
From: "Dave" [email hidden]
Date: 9/28/2003 4:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id: <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

That would be like searching mothernature.com for Coumadin.

perhaps a simple PDR would be easier for you

Quoted message said:

but it is ONLY physicians in North America who aren't trained
to be able
to treat on any broader basis than one disease, one drug. Your mind set

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the product

"one disease,,one drug"??????? surely you have not a clue...if you think

there

Quoted message said:

is only ONE one drug per disease...

Silly me, of course one drug won't ever be enough, 3 or 7 drugs per disease.
Thanks for correcting me.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Spammin' Dave said:

"David Wright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

To be considered an adaptogen, a plant must conform to the following
criteria:

The plant must be nontoxic and totally harmless to the body.

There is no substance on earth that meets this definition.

There are many. It is only in the confines world of your world that no such
thing exists.

Anything in sufficient quantity will kill you -- including water.
That you don't know this is merely another demonstration of your
astounding level of ignorance.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It must allow the continuing normal physiological functioning of the
individual.

As has already been pointed out to your dimwitted self, some people
are allergic to ginseng. It's in the medical literature. You could
check that yourself, except that you're probably too stupid to use
PubMed.

That would be like searching mothernature.com for Coumadin.

No, but I can understand your being unwilling to do it; if you did,
you'd have to back off your nonsensical claims for your ginseng, since
you wouldn't be able to claim ignorance any longer.

Quoted message said:

I know you've had this explained to you by every informed individual
that has passed through here,

You erroneously place yourself amongst the "informed."

Quoted message said:

but it is ONLY physicians in North America who aren't trained to be
able to treat on any broader basis than one disease, one drug. Your
mind set is the product of drug company brainwashing of a shrinking
mindless herd.

Wrong; but your mindset is that of the irresponsible spammer, who
wants to sell his garbage to *everyone*, even if it could kill them to
take it. You are truly loathesome.

-- David Wright :: alphabeta at prodigy.net
These are my opinions only, but they're almost always correct.
"If I have not seen as far as others, it is because giants
were standing on my shoulders." (Hal Abelson, MIT)

"David Wright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Spammin' Dave said:

"David Wright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
Dave <[email hidden]> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>To be considered an adaptogen, a plant must conform to the following
>criteria:
>
>The plant must be nontoxic and totally harmless to the body.

There is no substance on earth that meets this definition.

There are many. It is only in the confines world of your world that no

such

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thing exists.

Anything in sufficient quantity will kill you -- including water.
That you don't know this is merely another demonstration of your
astounding level of ignorance.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>It must allow the continuing normal physiological functioning of the
>individual.

As has already been pointed out to your dimwitted self, some people
are allergic to ginseng. It's in the medical literature. You could
check that yourself, except that you're probably too stupid to use
PubMed.

That would be like searching mothernature.com for Coumadin.

No, but I can understand your being unwilling to do it; if you did,
you'd have to back off your nonsensical claims for your ginseng, since
you wouldn't be able to claim ignorance any longer.

Quoted message said:

I know you've had this explained to you by every informed individual
that has passed through here,

You erroneously place yourself amongst the "informed."

Quoted message said:

but it is ONLY physicians in North America who aren't trained to be
able to treat on any broader basis than one disease, one drug. Your
mind set is the product of drug company brainwashing of a shrinking
mindless herd.

Wrong; but your mindset is that of the irresponsible spammer, who
wants to sell his garbage to *everyone*, even if it could kill them to
take it. You are truly loathesome.

In your eyes only. I have noticed that your highly touted scientific genius
seems to require rudeness and insults in order to work. Ginseng is way
gentler.
You should try some and see if it will relax your annus.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Wrong; but your mindset is that of the irresponsible spammer, who
wants to sell his garbage to *everyone*, even if it could kill them to
take it. You are truly loathesome.

In your eyes only. I have noticed that your highly touted scientific genius
seems to require rudeness and insults in order to work. Ginseng is way
gentler.
You should try some and see if it will relax your annus.

So, that's why you like Ginseng roots!

In article <[email hidden]>,

Dave said:

"David Wright" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Wrong; but your mindset is that of the irresponsible spammer, who
wants to sell his garbage to *everyone*, even if it could kill them to
take it. You are truly loathesome.

In your eyes only.

No, I think I could find quite a few people who'd agree with me.

Quoted message said:

I have noticed that your highly touted scientific genius
seems to require rudeness and insults in order to work.

When I'm trying to get through to low-forehead types like yourself,
I use whatever works best.

Quoted message said:

Ginseng is way gentler.
You should try some and see if it will relax your annus.

It will relax my year?

-- David Wright :: alphabeta at prodigy.net
These are my opinions only, but they're almost always correct.
"If I have not seen as far as others, it is because giants
were standing on my shoulders." (Hal Abelson, MIT)