TYPES OF GINSENG 
Parts Used: Root
Dosage: Varies depending on type of root and purpose (2-9 grams per day)
There are a variety of different types of ginseng, all having their own purpose. Each is cultivated in varying areas of the world, with varying quality and size. Generally, the larger the root is, the more expensive it will be. 15 large pieces equaling about 22 ounces of Korean ginseng can be as much as $1,400, while an entire pound of Chinese ginseng tail can be found as little as $18-20. Variety in ginseng is more closely monitored than perhaps in any other herb of the Materia Medica. There are 3 primary typs of ginseng:
- American White Ginseng (Xi Yang Shen) is sweet and slightly bitter in nature, and cooling. It is the coolest of the gingeng roots and exhibits less tonifying properties than the others. American ginseng supplements qi, nourishes yin, and can generate fluids (one of the 5 essences). American ginseng is often used to treat internal heat signs as a result of yin vacuity.
- Chinese Red Panax Ginseng (Ren Shen) is also sweet and slightly bitter, but differs in that it is slightly warming versus cooling. It supplements qi very strongly, and can also strengthen the spleen, and generates fluids as the American ginseng. Chinese ginseng comes in 2 varieties: Jilin and Shih Chih. Jilin has equal properties as Shih Chih but are less matured, and generally sell for less. Shih Chih are larger roots that have been cultivated to a higher quality standard. Often times it has also been prepared to enhance the tonifying effect of this herb.
- Korean Red Panax Ginseng is the warmest of the 3 types of ginseng. This root is also usually processed but done so with Korean methods versus Chinese by soaking them in an herbal decoction and finally being steamed to enhance their properties. Korean ginseng is very expensive.
As has become popular in America, ginseng can be used to benefit energy levels, cardiovascular efficiency, and to reduce fatigue. To this end, many people have no need to use ginseng until they reach a point in their lives where the energy leves are depleted (namely, around the early 40s).
Ginseng has some interesting research highlights:
- Kirchorfer, 1985: Healthy male participants given ginseng in a study showed an increased cardiovascular efficiency as indicated by a substantially lower heart rate only 2 weeks into a 9 week study.
- Huang 1999: Ginseng was shown to increase mental activity.
- Hunag 1999: Ginseng was shown to have anti-aging abilities due to its theoretical ability to increase synthesis of protein, DNA, RNA, gonadotropins, and ACTH, all of which can prolong the life of a cell.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
You should NOT use any type of ginseng if you have hyperglycemia or hypertension, or during a fever. Taking ginseng late at night can cause restlessness.
Lastly, ginseng should not be confused with pseudoginseng. Pseudoginseng has very different purposes and will eventaulyl be talked about separately in this thread.