HERBS: Multipurpose Herbs

GINKGO BILOBA
Derived from the world’s oldest living species of tree, Ginkgo biloba is the most important plant-based medicine available. An important part of mainstream medicine in Europe, with sales accounting for more than 1 per cent of all pharmaceutical purchases, it’s widely heralded as a mental and vascular stimulant and a’ powerful protector of the brain, liver, eyes and circulatory system.
As more than three hundred studies demonstrate, ginkgo facilitates better blood flow throughout the body, notably the brain, where it both protects and promotes memory and mental function, even for people with Alzheimer’s disease. The greater flow of blood also can stabilize an irregular heart rhythm, help men to sustain erections and ease the numbness and pain of intermittent claudication, a circulatory disorder of the legs.

Taking the extract also can be helpful in treating cataracts, retinopathy, macular degeneration, tinnitus, dizziness, asthma, headaches, premenstrual syndrome and depression.

Almost all of the ginkgo research tested an extract standardized to contain a 24 per cent concentration of flavonglycosides, the plant’s active chemical ingredients. Weaker preparations might be beneficial, but I’d stick with using those products whose label specifies the 24 per cent concentration. No one with a serious mental or vascular problem should give in to drug therapy, I believe, without first trying ginkgo in a therapeutic range of 240-360 mg per day. For general mental acuity, anyone forty years old or older should take 120-160 mg every day. As a matter of fact, ginkgo’s wide range of benefits, combined with its virtual complete safety, makes it worth trying for just about anyone.

GINSENG
Ginseng is known as an ‘adaptogen’, meaning that it helps the body to adapt. To what? Well, to just about any physiological stress. This root, prized for millennia, seems to display the rare ability to restore equilibrium to the body, either stimulating or dampening certain biochemical processes that are thrown out of synch by a variety of stressors. Obviously this is an extremely accommodating natural remedy.

The two main varieties of ginseng have somewhat different effects. Depending upon the condition, you can use either Eleutherococcus senticosus, commonly referred to as ‘Siberian ginseng’, or the potentially more powerful panax, better known as Chinese or Korean ginseng. Panax quinquefolium, called ‘American ginseng’, is another well-regarded panax variety.ъ

Siberian Ginseng
This form plays special roles in strengthening the immune system and stabilizing blood sugar. For people with either Type I or Type II diabetes, a daily 200 mg dose of the standardized extract reduced high blood sugar, improved mood and enhanced overall physical endurance. Many of my dieters are convinced it helped them lose weight. You needn’t have a metabolic problem to enjoy Siberian ginseng’s mental and physical stimulation. Studies show that it can allow you to work better under stress. People with cancer or AIDS benefit from the herb’s immune system reinforcement, which can be measured in lab tests.

Panax Ginseng
For mental and physical stamina, panax is more potent than eleutherococcus. Such strong stimulation is ideally suited for people with cancer, who need its greater invigorating powers. Chinese or Korean ginseng might be too potent, in fact; some users have complained of irritability, anxiety and insomnia. That’s why I prefer to use Panax quinquefolium. Its stimulatory effect is mellower, but the immune system revitalization remains excellent. The combination, a European bestseller under the trade name of Ginsana, in placebo controlled studies was a significant benefactor for both the common cold and the influenza virus.

Whichever variety of ginseng you choose, remember that its effects won’t be felt immediately. You may take supplements for weeks or months before feeling more energetic or alert. Some products contain a powdered form of the root, but I prefer a pill or liquid ginseng extract whose concentration is standardized and consistent. In cities and towns with Asian enclaves, you will find shops where the whole root can be purchased. Ginseng experts can judge which individual root is more potent simply by examining them. Translating this piece-to-piece variability into milligram recommendations would be doing a disservice. You’ll do better by trying a few capsules each day and judging the effect yourself.