​Panax ginseng (Asian Ginseng)

Panax ginseng (Asian Ginseng)

Product Name: Женьшень, Panax ginseng, Ginseng, Ginseng, Ginseng, الجينسنغ, โสม

Synonyms: женьшень настоящий, женьшень азиатский, корень жизни, человеко-корень, корень бессмертия, корень пяти сил, азиатский женьшень, корейский женьшень, корень Чхонсам; Asian ginseng, true ginseng, Korean ginseng, Panax root, life root, root of immortality, five-power root; Echter Ginseng, Asiatischer Ginseng, Lebenswurzel, Immortellenwurzel; Ginseng asiático, Ginseng verdadero, Raíz de la vida, Raíz de la inmortalidad; Ginseng asiatique, Ginseng véritable, Racine de la vie, Racine d’immortalité; الجينسنغ الكوري، جذر الحياة، جذر الخلود، جذر القوة; โสมเกาหลี, รากชีวิต, รากแห่งความเป็นอมตะ, โสมแท้

Main Indications for the Use of Panax ginseng: Chronic fatigue syndrome, asthenic syndrome, mild and moderate depressive disorders, cognitive disorders of vascular and degenerative origin, decreased sexual function in men, neurogenic erectile dysfunction, orthostatic hypotension, neurocirculatory arterial hypotension, secondary immunodeficiencies, hypotonic type neurocirculatory dystonia, functional and organic hypoglycemia, age-related decrease in the body's adaptive reserve, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults.

Use of Panax ginseng in Mixtures and Complexes: Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease), non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, abdominal obesity, idiopathic infertility, climacteric syndrome in women, anemia of chronic diseases, subclinical hypothyroidism, chronic cerebral ischemia, hypersensitivity to stress, toxic and metabolic polyneuropathies, irritable bowel syndrome, systemic connective tissue dysplasia.

Pharmacological Properties of Panax ginseng: Adaptogenic, antioxidant, nootropic, antidepressant, immunomodulatory, antihypotensive, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, androgen-modulating, hepatoprotective, cardiotonic, anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, vasomodulating, metabolically normalizing.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Panax ginseng

Powder — Panax ginseng

Indications (Powder): Chronic fatigue syndrome, arterial hypotension of neurocirculatory origin, asthenic syndrome, orthostatic hypotension, decreased sexual function in men, cognitive disorders of vascular origin, mild depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults, age-related decrease in adaptive reserve.

Standard Dosage (Powder): 500–1000 milligrams of powder, twice a day, 30 minutes before meals. Course — 30 days, may be repeated after 2 weeks.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 1500 milligrams three times a day, course up to 21 days. Used for pronounced orthostatic hypotension, neurogenic erectile dysfunction, severe asthenia, and post-viral asthenic dysfunction.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): Up to 2000 milligrams four times a day, no more than 5 days in a row. Indicated for severe exhaustion after intense stress, sleep disturbances against the background of asthenic syndrome, and recovery after prolonged illness.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 250–500 milligrams once a day in the morning. Course — 20 days, a 10-day break, then can be repeated. Recommended for chronic fatigue, immunodeficiency states, frequent respiratory diseases, patients over 60 years of age, and men at risk of decreased androgenic function.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): Allowed from 12 years of age, with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms. 200 milligrams once a day in the morning. Course — up to 14 days. Not recommended for younger children due to the lack of reliable clinical data.

Contraindications (Powder): Stage II–III hypertension, pronounced anxiety, insomnia, acute psychotic states, individual intolerance. Scientifically reliable data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12 years of age have not been registered.

Side Effects (Powder): Insomnia, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, irritability, headache. All side effects are described with overdose or taking late in the evening.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): Patients with body weight below 60 kilograms — initial dosage 250 milligrams, maximum daily — 1000 milligrams. Patients with body weight above 60 kilograms — dosage ranging from 500 to 2000 milligrams per day, according to the therapeutic goal.

Preparation method (Powder): Necessary ingredients: dried ginseng root — 100 grams. The root is cleaned of contaminants with a dry brush, then dried at a temperature of 45–50 degrees Celsius until brittle. After drying, it is ground in a porcelain mortar or mill to a homogeneous powder state. The resulting powder is sifted through a sieve with a mesh size of no more than 1 millimeter. Packaged in airtight dark glass containers or kraft bags with a moisture-proof insert.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): Store in a dark, dry place at a temperature of 5 to 25 degrees Celsius, away from sources of electromagnetic radiation. After opening the package, use within 30 days. Total shelf life of the sealed form — up to 12 months.

Extract — Panax ginseng

Indications (Extract): Cognitive disorders of vascular and degenerative origin, chronic fatigue syndrome, mild and moderate depressive disorders, immunodeficiency states, orthostatic hypotension, functional sexual disorders, hypoglycemia, neurocirculatory dystonia, age-related decrease in adaptive reserve, post-infectious asthenoneurotic syndrome.

Standard Dosage (Extract): 15–20 drops of liquid hydroalcoholic extract (or 0.5–1 milliliter), diluted in 50 milliliters of water, twice a day 20–30 minutes before meals. Course — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Extract): 1.5 milliliters three times a day. Used for severe mental and physical fatigue, pronounced neurovegetative disorders, memory decline, hypotensive crises, decreased libido and testosterone production against the background of psycho-emotional exhaustion.

Maximum Dosage (Extract): Up to 2 milliliters four times a day, course no more than 7 days in a row. Prescribed in conditions of a sharp drop in adaptive reserve, as part of intensive rehabilitation after severe infections, in elderly patients with pronounced cognitive disorders.

Preventive Dosage (Extract): 10 drops once a day in the first half of the day. Take for 15 days monthly. Indicated for patients over 50 years of age with signs of neurocirculatory dystonia, people with weather sensitivity, chronic fatigue, and in preparation for seasons of increased loads (exams, business trips).

Pediatric Dosage (Extract): Use is possible from 12 years of age with a body weight of 40 kilograms or more. 5–7 drops, diluted in 30 milliliters of water, once a day. Course — no more than 14 days. Not recommended for children under 12 years of age due to the lack of sufficient clinical data.

Contraindications (Extract): Hypertension, anxiety disorders, insomnia, acute psychoses, epilepsy, thyrotoxicosis, individual intolerance. Scientifically confirmed contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12 years of age are absent; however, use requires medical supervision.

Side Effects (Extract): Tachycardia, insomnia, irritability, headache, increased blood pressure. Symptoms are registered when the dosage is exceeded and the drug is taken late (after 17:00).

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Extract): Patients up to 60 kilograms — initial dose no more than 10 drops per day. For body weight over 60 kilograms — standard dosages are applicable without adjustment.

Preparation method (Extract): Ingredients per 100 grams of extract: ground dry ginseng root — 25 grams, 70% food-grade ethanol — 75 milliliters. Pour alcohol over the root in a ratio of 1:3, infuse in a glass container in the shade at a temperature of 18–22 degrees Celsius for 14 days, shaking daily. Then filter through gauze, squeeze out the residue. Store the finished extract in a dark glass bottle.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Extract): Store at a temperature of 5 to 25 degrees Celsius, away from light and sources of electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — up to 24 months. After opening, use within 60 days, tightly close the lid after each use.

Alcohol-Based Tincture — Panax ginseng

Indications (Tincture): Functional disorders of the autonomic nervous system, mild depression, neurocirculatory dystonia, orthostatic hypotension, reduced immunity, male infertility of idiopathic origin, hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, age-related decrease in libido.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): 20–25 drops of tincture (on 70% ethanol) twice a day 20 minutes before meals, diluted in 50 milliliters of water. Duration of course — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): 30 drops three times a day, in a course of up to 21 days. Prescribed for pronounced decrease in sexual function, severe asthenia, post-infectious exhaustion syndrome, and chronic orthostatic collapse.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): Up to 40 drops 4 times a day, no more than 5 days in a row, exclusively under medical supervision. Indications — hypotensive crisis, critical decrease in adaptive capacity, pronounced loss of strength in cancer patients in rehabilitation.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): 10–15 drops once a day in the morning for 15 days. Used for chronic fatigue, reduced work capacity, frequent colds, and to strengthen the nervous system. A repeat course is possible after 15 days. Recommended for patients over 45 years of age, during periods of seasonal loads, and people with autonomic lability.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): Not recommended for children under 12 years of age due to ethanol content. From 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms — 5–7 drops, diluted in water, once a day in the morning. Course — no more than 10 days.

Contraindications (Tincture): Arterial hypertension, epilepsy, severe insomnia, anxiety disorders, thyrotoxicosis, chronic alcoholism, liver diseases with impaired function. Scientific data on safety during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12 years of age are absent — not recommended for use in these groups.

Side Effects (Tincture): Anxiety, insomnia, increased blood pressure, palpitations, dry mouth. Cases of allergic reactions have been described when the dosage is exceeded or with a long course without a break.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): Patients with body weight less than 60 kilograms — no more than 15 drops per day. For body weight over 60 kilograms — standard and enhanced regimens are acceptable.

Preparation method (Tincture): Ingredients per 100 milliliters of finished product: dry ground ginseng root — 20 grams, 70% ethanol — 80 milliliters, purified water — 20 milliliters. Place the root in a glass jar, pour with a mixture of alcohol and water. Infuse for 14 days in a dark place at a temperature of 20–25 degrees Celsius, shaking daily. Then strain, squeeze out the residue, filter and pour into dark glass bottles.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): Store at a temperature of 10–25 degrees Celsius, in a place protected from light, in a tightly closed glass container. Avoid proximity to sources of electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 2 years. After opening, use within 90 days.

Oil Infusion — Panax ginseng

Indications (Oil Infusion): Androgen deficiency, age-related decrease in libido, dry skin, recovery after dermatological diseases, neurasthenic syndrome, asthenic component in the climacteric period, muscle hypotonia, recovery after injuries, adjuvant therapy for chronic fatigue.

Standard Dosage (Oil Infusion): Externally: apply to the skin in the area of the solar plexus, lumbosacral zone, or inner surface of the forearms — 1–2 milliliters 1–2 times a day. Internally (if the infusion is prepared with food-grade oil): 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) once a day in the morning, course 20 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Oil Infusion): Externally: up to 3 applications per day of 2 milliliters, especially for pronounced fatigue, decreased sexual function, dermatological disorders, and hypothermia of the extremities. Internally: up to 5 milliliters 2 times a day — morning and at lunchtime. Course no more than 14 days; when prescribed — mandatory monitoring of liver and gastrointestinal tract function.

Maximum Dosage (Oil Infusion): Externally: up to 4 applications per day of 3 milliliters. Internally: up to 7 milliliters twice a day, no more than 5 days in a row. Used for pronounced decrease in tone and during the adaptation period after severe illnesses.

Preventive Dosage (Oil Infusion): Externally: 1 milliliter once a day in the morning, course 15 days, repeat once a month. Internally: 2 milliliters once a day in the morning, for 10 days per month. Recommended for men over 45 years of age, women in perimenopause, patients with dry skin and reduced stress resistance.

Pediatric Dosage (Oil Infusion): Use is limited. External use is possible from 10 years of age in the absence of allergies: 0.5 milliliters once a day for 5 days. Internally not used in children under 16 years of age.

Contraindications (Oil Infusion): Individual intolerance, severe forms of acne, dermatitis with exudation, acute skin inflammations, hyperestrogenism. There are no reliable data on the safety of use during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 10 years of age.

Side Effects (Oil Infusion): With external use: irritation, redness, itching. With internal use: nausea, flatulence, bitterness in the mouth. All reactions are described when dosages are exceeded or the preparation technology is violated.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Oil Infusion): Patients with body weight less than 60 kilograms — externally up to 1 milliliter, internally up to 2.5 milliliters per day. Patients with body weight more than 60 kilograms — standard dosages are allowed.

Preparation method (Oil Infusion): Ingredients per 100 grams: dry ground ginseng root — 20 grams, sesame oil (first cold-pressed) — 80 grams. The raw material is poured with oil in a glass jar, heated in a water bath to 40 degrees Celsius, kept for 6 hours, then infused for 7 days at room temperature in a dark place. After infusion, filter through cloth, squeeze out the residue. Pour the finished infusion into a dark glass bottle.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Oil Infusion): Store at a temperature of 5 to 20 degrees Celsius, in a place protected from light. Shield from household sources of EMI. Shelf life — up to 6 months. After opening, use within 30 days, do not allow contact with water.

Decoction — Panax ginseng

Indications (Decoction): Asthenic syndrome, functional hypoglycemia, mild forms of depression, chronic fatigue, post-infectious exhaustion, decreased memory and concentration, weakness in the postoperative period, autonomic lability.

Standard Dosage (Decoction): 50 milliliters of warm decoction twice a day 20 minutes before meals. Course — 10 days, a 5-day break, repeat if necessary.

Enhanced Dosage (Decoction): 70 milliliters three times a day. Prescribed for pronounced fatigue, hypotension, and decreased cognitive function. Duration of course — up to 14 days.

Maximum Dosage (Decoction): 100 milliliters four times a day. No more than 5 days in a row, only under specialist supervision. Indicated in cases of intensive rehabilitation, severe physical or mental overwork.

Preventive Dosage (Decoction): 30 milliliters once a day in the morning. Drink in courses of 7 days each month. Indicated for chronic fatigue syndrome, a tendency to hypoglycemia, frequent colds, and increased mental and physical loads.

Pediatric Dosage (Decoction): From 8 years of age and with a body weight of 25 kilograms or more — 20 milliliters once a day in the morning. Course — 5 days. Use in children under 8 years of age is not recommended due to insufficient data.

Contraindications (Decoction): Hypertension, epilepsy, thyrotoxicosis, insomnia, individual intolerance. There is no data on reliable contraindications during pregnancy and lactation, but use during these periods is not recommended without medical supervision.

Side Effects (Decoction): Headache, anxiety, insomnia, increased blood pressure, nausea. Observed mainly with overdose or taking in the evening.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Decoction): Patients with body weight up to 60 kilograms — no more than 50 milliliters per dose. Patients with body weight over 60 kilograms — full standard and enhanced dosages are allowed.

Preparation method (Decoction): Ingredients per 100 milliliters of finished decoction: dry ground ginseng root — 5 grams, purified water — 120 milliliters. The raw material is poured with water, brought to a boil and boiled over low heat under a lid for 20 minutes. Then infuse for 30 minutes at room temperature, strain. Add boiled water to the original volume of 100 milliliters. The decoction is used within 24 hours.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Decoction): Store in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4–8 degrees Celsius. Avoid contact with metal objects. Shelf life — no more than 24 hours. Repeated heating is not allowed.

Fluid Extract — Panax ginseng

Indications (Fluid Extract): Chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive disorders of vascular and degenerative origin, mild and moderate depressive states, weakened immunity, weakness after infectious diseases, hormonal dysfunction in women and men, decreased adaptive reserves, neurocirculatory dystonia.

Standard Dosage (Fluid Extract): 1–2 milliliters of fluid extract, diluted in 50 milliliters of water, twice a day 20 minutes before meals. Course — 20–30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Fluid Extract): 3 milliliters three times a day. Prescribed for pronounced cognitive impairments, post-infectious conditions, functional hypotension, decreased immunological response, and chronic fatigue.

Maximum Dosage (Fluid Extract): 4 milliliters four times a day, course up to 7 days. Indicated for intensive rehabilitation, critical decrease in adaptive capacity, and mild chronic diseases in the recovery stage.

Preventive Dosage (Fluid Extract): 1 milliliter once a day in the morning, course 10 days per month. Recommended for people over 50 years of age, persons with metabolic lability, weakened immunity, and people preparing for a period of increased loads.

Pediatric Dosage (Fluid Extract): Allowed from 12 years of age with a body weight of 40 kilograms or more. 0.5–1 milliliter once a day in the first half of the day. Course — no more than 14 days.

Contraindications (Fluid Extract): Arterial hypertension, epilepsy, thyrotoxicosis, severe insomnia, individual intolerance, mental disorders. There is no reliable data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12 years of age; in such conditions, preliminary consultation with a doctor is recommended.

Side Effects (Fluid Extract): Insomnia, tachycardia, headache, irritability, increased blood pressure, dyspeptic phenomena — observed mainly when the dosage is exceeded or taken late in the evening.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Fluid Extract): Patients with body weight less than 60 kilograms — the standard dose does not exceed 1 milliliter per day; with body weight more than 60 kilograms — standard and enhanced regimens are applied without adjustment.

Preparation method (Fluid Extract): Ingredients per 100 grams: dry ground ginseng root — 20 grams; purified water — 40 milliliters; 40% ethanol — 60 milliliters. Pour the root with a mixture of water and ethanol, infuse in a glass container in a dark place at a temperature of 18–22 °C for 7 days, stirring daily. Then filter through cotton cloth, squeeze the mass, bring the volume to 100 grams. Store the finished product in a dark glass bottle.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Fluid Extract): Store at a temperature of 5 to 25 °C in a dark place, away from electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — up to 18 months. After opening — use within 90 days.

Cosmetic Cream — Panax ginseng

Indications (Cosmetic Cream): Gravitational ptosis of the facial skin, chronoaging, photoaging, dry skin, decreased elasticity, dull complexion, post-acne, atrophic scars, vascular lability of the skin, recovery after dermatological procedures (peeling, laser).

Standard Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): Apply a thin layer to cleansed skin of the face and neck 1–2 times a day (morning and evening). Volume per application — 1–1.5 milliliters. Course — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): Apply up to 3 times a day for pronounced dry skin, after peels, with the appearance of couperose, post-inflammatory changes, and decreased skin density in the cheeks and neck. Volume of application — up to 2 milliliters. Course — 14–21 days.

Maximum Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): Up to 4 applications per day, no more than 2 weeks in a row. Used for recovery after laser resurfacing, medium chemical peels, and pronounced skin dehydration in dry climates.

Preventive Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): 1 milliliter once a day in the evening. Apply in courses of 20 days each month. Recommended for patients with dry and sensitive skin, people after 35 years of age in urban environments, and during seasonal changes (spring, autumn).

Pediatric Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): Not used in children. Data on safety when using cosmetic creams with ginseng in children under 14 years of age are absent.

Contraindications (Cosmetic Cream): Individual intolerance, acute inflammatory skin diseases, pustular lesions, atopic dermatitis in the acute stage. There is no data on the safety of use during pregnancy and lactation — use is possible only on the recommendation of a dermatologist.

Side Effects (Cosmetic Cream): Local irritation, itching, redness, contact dermatitis. Recorded only with individual intolerance to cream components or violation of storage technology.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Cosmetic Cream): Not required, as the product is applied externally and dosed according to skin area, not body weight.

Preparation method (Cosmetic Cream): Ingredients per 100 grams: aqueous ginseng extract — 10 grams, shea butter — 15 grams, jojoba oil — 10 grams, lavender hydrolate — 30 grams, beeswax — 8 grams, vegetable glycerin — 5 grams, emulsifier (cetearyl glucoside) — 5 grams, vitamin E (tocopherol) — 0.5 grams, preservative based on benzoic acid — 0.5 grams, purified water — up to 100 grams. The oil phase (wax, oils, emulsifier) is heated in a water bath to 65 °C. The aqueous phase (hydrolate, glycerin, ginseng extract) is heated separately to 60 °C. With constant stirring, the aqueous phase is introduced into the oil phase, whipped for 5–7 minutes until thickened. After cooling to 40 °C, vitamin E and preservative are added and mixed. Packaged in sterile jars.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Cosmetic Cream): Store at a temperature of 4 to 10 °C, in a tightly closed opaque package. Avoid contact with direct sunlight and heating. Shelf life — up to 3 months. After opening, use within 30 days, do not allow water to enter the jar.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Panax ginseng

Panax ginseng has a high profile of biological safety upon oral and external use. According to preclinical toxicological studies, acute administration of standardized ginseng extract does not cause lethal outcomes even at high dosages.

The LD₅₀ value (lethal dose for 50% of experimental animals) upon oral administration of standardized ginseng extract in mice is more than 3,000 mg/kg body weight, which corresponds to a low toxicity class.

With long-term use, no signs of hepatotoxicity, mutagenicity, or carcinogenicity have been detected. A dose-dependent excitatory effect on the central nervous system is noted when recommended dosages are exceeded.

It has also been established that when ginseng is used in therapeutic doses, no cumulation of active substances and metabolites in organs and tissues is observed, which makes it suitable for long-term course use. 

Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...

Pharmacodynamics — Panax ginseng

Panax ginseng exhibits a wide range of pharmacodynamic activity, due to a complex of biologically active substances, including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, and phenolic compounds. At the systemic level, it has a modulating effect on the central nervous system, regulating neurotransmitter metabolism, including levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. It has been established that ginsenosides activate parts of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, affecting the level of corticosteroids, thereby participating in the regulation of stress responses.

Ginseng has an antioxidant effect, suppressing the activity of free radicals and stimulating the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. The immunomodulatory effect is realized through an effect on cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation, as well as activation of macrophage phagocytic activity. From the cardiovascular system, a vasomodulatory effect is noted, mainly realized through endothelial mechanisms and possible modulation of calcium channels. An effect on energy metabolism and enhancement of tissue respiration has been established.

The pharmacological effects of ginseng have been confirmed by studies on animal models and in a number of clinical trials involving healthy volunteers.

References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...; https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

Pharmacokinetics — Panax ginseng

The active components of ginseng, mainly ginsenosides, are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration, with the degree of absorption depending on the form of the preparation and the composition of the food matrix. Metabolism begins partially in the oral cavity, and then continues in the small intestine under the action of intestinal microflora, which transforms primary glycosides into biologically more active aglycones.

After absorption, the compounds are distributed mainly in the liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs. A low level of penetration through the blood-brain barrier is noted; however, traces of metabolites have been found in brain tissues, especially in the hypothalamus and limbic system. Metabolism is carried out mainly in the liver by hydrolysis and conjugation, followed by excretion through bile and urine. Traces of excretion through the skin and respiratory tract have also been established, especially at high doses.

Upon transdermal or external use, absorption is limited, but possible when using oil and lipophilic forms, especially in areas with thin skin (temporal, cervical zone).

References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale — Panax ginseng

The pharmacological activity of ginseng is realized through multiple biochemical and cellular targets. Ginsenosides interact with GABA-A receptors, dopamine and serotonin receptors, exerting a sedative and modulating effect on the central nervous system. Their effect on glucocorticoid receptors has been demonstrated, which determines the adaptogenic and anti-stress action.

The antioxidant effect is provided by inhibiting cascades mediated by NF-κB and MAPK, which reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and suppresses the activity of COX-2 and iNOS enzymes. With respect to the immune system, ginsenosides activate macrophages, increase interleukin production, and enhance the antigen-presenting function of dendritic cells.

At the cellular level, ginseng demonstrates protective properties with respect to mitochondria, stabilizes membrane potential, and regulates calcium ion transport. With respect to the vascular endothelium, an increase in nitric oxide production is observed due to activation of eNOS, which improves microcirculation and tissue nutrition.

References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...; https://www.sciencedirect.com/...; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

Synergy — Panax ginseng

Scientific research shows that ginseng exhibits pharmacological synergy when used together with curcumin, eleutherococcus, and ashwagandha. A potentiating effect with respect to antioxidant activity has been established when combined with green tea flavonoids and grape seed polyphenols.

Ginseng enhances the anti-inflammatory and neuromodulatory effect when combined with omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10, which is associated with the combined activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathways and suppression of NF-κB activity. An enhancement of the immunomodulatory effect has also been noted in complexes with fungi of the genus Ganoderma and Cordyceps, due to complementary effects on macrophages and T-cells.

References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...; https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine — Panax ginseng

Panax ginseng is one of the most famous and widely revered plants in the traditional medical systems of East and Central Asia. Its use can be traced in the medical treatises of ancient China for more than two thousand years BC. Already in the "Shennong Bencao Jing" (1st century AD), it is mentioned as a tonic remedy, "giving strength to the body and spirit." Since those times, ginseng has firmly entered the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, where it was considered a universal remedy for restoring energy (qi), strengthening vital centers, and harmonizing the Yin and Yang systems. In Taoist medical schools, the root was considered a "plant of immortality," and its use was recommended to sages and ascetics as a means of prolonging life.

In Korea, the tradition of ginseng consumption developed in parallel, but with a deeper cult of veneration. Here, its cultivation and processing were monopolized by the state, and ginseng itself was considered a national treasure. It was used not only in decoctions and infusions but also in food, as a component of alcoholic beverages and incense. Korean healers used it in practices to enhance male strength, maintain longevity, and cleanse the body. In the ritual culture of Korea, dried ginseng root was often placed in the home as a symbol of good luck and protection.

In Mongolia, ginseng was associated with shamanic rituals, where it was placed on stone altars as an offering to the spirits of mountains and rivers. Mongols used the root in dried form, grinding it into powder for dilution in mare's milk. In Tibetan medicine (Sowa Rigpa), ginseng was considered a plant of hot nature, strengthening the life force and supporting the strength of the kidneys and heart. It was part of complex formulations passed down in monastic medical schools.

In Russia, information about ginseng appears in the 17th century in the notes of envoys and merchants who visited China and Manchuria. Already in the 18th century, Russian merchants began to extract the "root of life" in the Far East. In the folk practice of Siberia and the Amur region, it was used as a "strongman herb," more often in the form of infusions and steams. Among the Tungus-Manchu peoples, ginseng was part of ritual remedies and was used by shamans as a plant-guide to the spirits of ancestors.

In Japan, ginseng was used in the Kampo system as one of the key adaptogens. It was brewed in mixtures with other herbs, and tinctures and pastes were prepared. During the Edo period, the root was part of expensive gifts for high officials and the samurai class.

In the territories of Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, ginseng was included in local traditions as a borrowed element of Chinese medicine. It was used in the form of alcoholic tinctures, wraps, compresses, and also as a component of rejuvenating agents. In some ethnic groups of Northern Thailand, the root was used in the practice of "opening the breath," when healing vapors were inhaled during a steam bath.

In the culture of the ancient Uighurs and some Iranian traditions, it was believed that ginseng was able to "bind blood and spirit," strengthening the connection between the physical shell and the divine essence. In folk mythology, the root was sometimes depicted as a little man and was considered a living creature capable of protecting its wearer from evil forces. In some rituals, it was placed under the pillow for protection from nightmares or worn in a cloth bag as a talisman of strength.

Thus, the geography of ginseng use covers a vast territory of Eurasia — from the Korean Peninsula and Central China to Siberia, Mongolia, and the Himalayas. Its status in folk medicine varies from an everyday tonic remedy to a plant with ritual, sacred, and symbolic significance.