For centuries, ginseng has been used across a diverse range of cultures for its medicinal properties and health benefits. Traditional Chinese Medicine, as one example, has long celebrated ginseng, with written references to this root going back more than two millennia. Canadian ginseng, also known as Panax quinquefolius or NAG, has also been widely used by Indigenous cultures – including the Iroquois, Menominee, Seminole, and Cherokee peoples – for its medicinal qualities.
Today, the interest in ginseng as an integrative medicine continues to grow in Canada and elsewhere, along with a focus on scientific research intended to further explore the root and the wide spectrum of its health benefits.
What is Ginseng?
Panax quinquefolius ginseng (also known as Canadian ginseng or North American ginseng) is a root commonly used as a supplement in herbal medicine and is native to Canada. It is an adaptogen, meaning that it normalizes body functions.
The ginseng plant is a leafy green crop that grows to about a foot in height and produces bright red berries and a fleshy taproot. The root is generally around two to three inches in length and its colour ranges from pale yellow to brown. The root typically takes between 3-5 years before it is ready for harvest.
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Safety Rating for Canadian Ginseng is Class 1: herbs that can be safely consumed when used appropriately.
The American Botanical Council Clinical Guide to Herbs (2003) reports that there are no known contraindications or drug interactions for North American Ginseng.
The Science Behind Ginsenosides
Both Canadian ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Panax ginseng (Asian) contain triterpene saponins (steroid-like alkaloids with sugar side-chains) known as ginsenosides, as well as polysaccharides, peptides, peptidoglycans, phenolics, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
As ginseng root ages, the total ginsenoside content generally increases to about 4 to 11% by weight after four years.
There have been over 30 different ginsenosides identified and used to differentiate between Asian and Canadian ginseng and generally they fall into two major groups: the Protopanaxdiol (PPD) ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Re, and Rd) and the Proto panaxatriol (PPT) ginsenosides (Re, Rg1, and Rf) which account for over 90% the triterpene saponins found in the ginseng root.
About 55% of the total ginsenoside content of Panax quinquefolius is Rb1 and no Rf has been found either in the authentic wild or cultivated type. The major ginsenoside in Panax ginseng is Rg1. Overall, Panax quinquefolius has a higher PPD:PPT ginsenoside ratio compared to Panax ginseng.
One of the key distinguishing features that differentiate Asian and Canadian ginseng is the ratio of the Rb1/Rg1 ginsenosides, which is far higher in Canadian ginseng than in Asian ginseng. Approximately 55% of the ginsenoside content of Canadian ginseng is Rb1.
Canadian ginseng also contains a variety of other beneficial elements, such as polysaccharides (both soluble/insoluble), peptides, peptidoglycans (non-triterpene saponins), phenolics (polyacetylenic alcohols, flavonoids), fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Ginseng and Your Clients’ Health
Exploring the pharmacology behind its many benefits
Ginseng for Controlling Blood Sugar Levels
Consuming Panax quinquefolius ginseng before or during a meal may help lower and control blood sugar, which has a positive effect on mood and energy levels.
A short-term clinical trial (in which subjects with Type 2 diabetes received eight weeks of treatment with an extract of Canadian ginseng, while maintained on existing medications and a healthy diet), demonstrated significant reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). When study subjects continued to take North American ginseng for an additional four months, HbA1c was further reduced.
Ginseng for Acute Respiratory Illness
Canadian ginseng may help in the prevention of acute respiratory illness and reduce the severity of colds and flu. Ginsenosides have anti-asthmatic effects through the relaxation of human bronchial smooth muscle by stimulating the release of nitrous oxide from airway epithelium.
Ginseng for Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Maintaining healthy stress levels and control over anxiety are crucial factors in our overall health. Canadian ginseng stimulates GABA receptors (nerve cells that receive the chemical messages that help to inhibit or reduce nerve impulses) and induces a calming effect on brain function and the body.
Ginseng for a Healthy Immune System
Scientific research is now providing preliminary evidence supporting the medicinal potential of ginseng to enhance the immune response in fighting infections.
Research shows that extracts of Canadian ginseng are effective in the treatment and prevention of colds and flu.
A study of 323 people who took a patented Panax quinquefolius ginseng extract showed them to have a 26% drop in the incidence, 56% reduction in recurrence, and 35% decline in the number of sick days due to colds and flu. Individuals had a significant rise in natural killer cells as well as CD4/CD8 cell lines, which demonstrates enhanced viral immunity.
Two other key studies compared Canadian ginseng with a placebo in randomized, double-blind studies. One of these trials evaluated Canadian ginseng in the prevention of acute respiratory illness in 198 elderly adults within an institutional setting.
After 8-12 weeks of treatment with the ginseng extract, the seniors experienced an 89% reduction in the risk of developing cold or flu. Most of these seniors had received flu vaccinations (90%) and the ginseng extract appeared to be safe and complementary.
Ginseng for Digestive Disorders
Canadian Ginseng was traditionally used by Indigenous peoples to treat a wide range of digestive disorders. Herbalists have also routinely used ginseng to treat indigestion and loss of appetite.
Recent studies have also demonstrated the potential for ginseng in the relief of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting.
Ginseng for Brain Function and the Nervous System
Canadian ginseng may also help improve cognitive functions like memory, mood, and behaviour.
The primary active ingredient in Canadian ginseng is a group of chemicals called ginsenosides. These ginsenosides have many pharmacological actions, including various actions on the central nervous system.
A clinical trial demonstrated that ginseng extract enhanced visual working memory and other neurological measures in 64 patients with schizophrenia. Laboratory studies have also demonstrated improved learning and memory, nerve cell protection, and promotion of nerve cell growth.
Ginseng for the Cardiovascular System
Research suggests that Canadian ginseng has antioxidant properties that protect heart muscle cells from free radical damage. Extracts of Ontario-grown ginseng have also been shown to protect against endothelial cell damage.
An early observational study was the first to specifically investigate the effect of Canadian ginseng on blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. It found Canadian ginseng had a neutral effect on blood pressure, calming previous concerns, while also showing potential to combat obesity by improving cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Recommending Ginseng to Your Clients
It is recommended that health professionals, registered dietitians, naturopaths, and nutritionists advise their clients to look for the “Running Root” logo on consumer products, which ensures the product is 100% Canadian ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), grown in native Ontario soils. Our partner retailers, online or local, can be found in our ginseng retailer list.small amount. Then, you can slowly increase the dosage as you see how it affects you and what works best for your body.
Canadian Ginseng Webinar
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