This is a reprinted from the Ministry of Agriculture of the province
of British Columbia, Canada.

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/speccrop/ginseng/ginseng-why.pdf

Why Ginseng is Used

The aphrodisiac question must be addressed. Users and practitioners will say
'if you are healthier because you consume ginseng you probably are sexier'
but
this is not necessarily so. Bluntly, ginseng is not an aphrodisiac.
Probably the most common usage of ginseng today in North America is for the
stress of everyday life. Stress causes the body to release extra hormones
and
the claim is that ginseng helps to control the systems that produce these
hormones
thus helping to alleviate at least some of the stress factor. Note: With the
following
list, no recommendations or guarantees are implied.

Ginseng has no known side effects when used at recommended rates. If nothing
else, it has food value in the carbohydrates and protein alone, albeit from
an
expensive source.

As an 'Elixir of Life' ginseng is said to act as an adaptogen to (not in
order
of importance):

? reduce stress
? enhance blood flow
? help control blood sugar
? help control cholesterol levels
? help regulate blood pressure
? strengthens the metabolism
? stimulate the immune system
? vitalise glandular functions
? slow degeneration of cells
? increase longevity
? act as an antioxidant
? increase memory
? increase endurance
? help with radiation damage
? benefit insomnia and sleep disturbance
? inhibit blood coagulation
? increase overall vitality
? help body function optimally
? improve vision and hearing
? strengthen nervous system
? be used in treatment of impotence
? be used in treatment of impotence
? be used in menstrual disorders
? benefit menopausal stages
? benefit females with removed ovaries
? work as a general stimulant
? aid in convalescence from surgery and
diseases
? help to remove toxins from the body
? harmonise and adjusts body functions
? increase concentration
Conclusion

Having listed all the above, one source of information suggested ginseng was
the
single and most useful tonic available! If it did all the above it certainly
would be.
On the other hand it has been used for over 3,000 years in China and as one
older gentleman from Hong Kong related "I use it because it works". It would
be
expected that ginseng would affect everyone in some way to improve their
"chi"
which translated from Chinese means 'vital energy'. If you decide to take
ginseng,
choose a high-quality product and take it for a minimum of 90 days. If you
don't feel better even in some subtle way then it may not be for you.

References:

1. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Journal, volume 6, No. 2, October,
pp 167-177, 1996, by Jun Wen and Elizabeth A. Zimmer, titled -Phylogeny and
Biogeography of Panax L. (the ginseng genus, Araliaceae) : Inferences from
ITS
sequences of Nuclear Ribosomal DNA

2. Facts About Ginseng, the elixir of life, by Florence C. Lee, Hollym pub

3. Ginseng Production Guide for Commercial Growers, BC Ministry of
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food, 1996.

4. Proceedings from IGC'94, The Challenges of the 21st Century, Bailey,
Whitehead,
Proctor and Kyle editor

5. Ginseng a Concise Handbook, James A. Duke, 1989, Reference Publications
Inc.

6. The Ginsengs...A Users Guide, Christopher Hobbs, Botanica Press

7. Asian and American Ginseng - A Review, Dr. Thomas S.C. Li, Agriculture
and
Agri-Food Canada

8. Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, Lotus Press

9. Next Generation Herbal Medicine, Daniel B. Mowrey, Keats pub.

10. Various articles in papers, publications and discussions with
individuals in the
"world of ginseng" Prepared by: Al Oliver, Provincial Special Crops
Horticulturist,
and produced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.