Adapt to Stress with Herbal Adaptogens
(Page 4 of 5)
September/October 2007
By Laurel Vukovic
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While consumers in the West tend to use various types of ginseng interchangeably, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine make specific recommendations for ginseng use based on the age and health of the individual. In general, Asian ginseng is used as a restorative for the elderly and for anyone in a weakened condition. American ginseng is believed to be less stimulating and, therefore, more appropriate for younger people (those younger than 50), for those in generally good health and for long-term use. Because of overharvesting, the once abundant American ginseng is now considered rare and endangered.
However, cultivated (sometimes called woods-grown) American ginseng is widely available.
Ginseng can be taken as a liquid extract, powder, capsule or tablet. Standardized extracts provide a guaranteed amount of ginsenosides. Most clinical studies have used ginseng extracts standardized to 4 percent ginsenosides, at a dosage of 200 to 500 mg daily. If you are taking a nonstandardized preparation, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosages because potencies vary greatly. A general dosage for nonstandardized preparations is 1 to 4 grams of powdered root daily or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon daily of liquid extract. Traditionally, ginseng is used cyclically—for example, take the herb for two weeks, and then take a two-week break before resuming the dosage.
When used as directed at recommended dosages, ginseng rarely causes side effects. However, Chinese ginseng has been known to cause overstimulation or irritability in some people. If this occurs, lower the dosage or switch to American ginseng, which is considered less stimulating. Don’t take larger-than-recommended doses of ginseng, and do not use ginseng in combination with other stimulants, such as caffeine. Pregnant and nursing women also should not use the herb.
Rhodiola: A Russian Favorite
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea). Used for hundreds of years in Russia and Scandinavia, rhodiola grows at high altitudes in the arctic regions of Europe and Asia. Sometimes called “golden root,” rhodiola derives its Latin name from the roselike fragrance of the fresh root. For centuries, rhodiola traditionally has been used to bolster physical and mental capacity.
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