Herbal literates a question

Looking for brands/dosages for gensing supplementation. I understand Siberian is not actully gensing but is considered a tonic, while Panex is "warming".

Also any experience with Damiana - another one I read was good for men.

Any good formula's for general tonic effect?

Thanks

[James Boelter]

Based on my limited experience and knowledge, I wouldn't bother with ginseng supplementation. (Although, as you said, Siberian ginseng isn't really a ginseng and could be used as a tonic). Traditionally, TCM used ginseng to treat 'devastated Yang energy' - ie, someone who was REALLY OLD to the point of decrepitude, or who had been living a severely debilitating lifestyle. (Think Bob Fosse in "All That Jazz"). As some wit in the TCM circles is reputed to have said, "If you start in on ginseng now, what are you going to use when you are old?" :wink:

I would go with some other, easily found (and cheaper) alternatives, such as ginger, astragalus, licorice root and cinnamon bark. Especially the astragalus - it is a 'poor man's ginseng' that gently builds up the immune system and health, and has a pleasant vanilla taste besides. Cinnamon tea is very pleasant to drink, has a gentle 'warming effect' and contains cinnemaldehydes that will lift your mood, make you love the world, and brace your immune system. (The very best cinnamon bark I ever found was from East Earth Trade Winds - a google search should bring up their site - and it is MUCH cheaper than Ginseng!)

I always like to refer people to two easy, accessible text on Herbal Medicine 101 - "10 Essential Herbs" by Lalitha Thompson and 'Tonics" by Robert Barrett. TEH features "simples" such as onion, garlic, slippery elm powder, ginger, and cayenne. "Tonics" is more ambitous and covers nearly 100 tonic herbs and substances - including ginseng if you feel you HAVE to include it.

JMO, I promise not to let my feelings be hurt if you choose to discard it :lol:

I tend to agree on the Panex but there seems to bo a ton of anacdotal as well as Russian Olympic type research on the Siberian. I think will do that and the astragalas, which also seems to come up alot.

thanks

Bill

[Vbrown]

From a TCM standpoint, James is really dialed in. Ginseng is expensive (historically) and isn't used as a general daily tonic.

However


There are a few good studies out there with mixed results. The biggest problem is standardizing the contents. Find a standardized extract of at least 3% and the highest I've seen is 9%. Start with 100mg in the morning and early afternoon. Do not take it past about 3pm or you may be looking at a nice bout of insomnia. Experiment with the dosage but I wouldn't go beyond a gram (total) per day. Give your body a rest in about 6 weeks.

As an asside, some folks need to be careful with licorice root. It can cause real trouble for those who are hypertensive or even pre-hypertensive.

Hope this helps

Vince

[JasonE]

I learned this from my chiropractor, who is also extremely fluent in herbal lore:

Panax ginseng, Korean ginseng, and White ginseng are 3 names for the exact same herb. Further, this form of ginseng is not a tonic and regular consumption over a period of time can have nasty effects.

In general, ginseng is best employed as an occasional pick-me-up, but that's about it, and you should probably avoid taking daily supplements that list it among the ingredients.