ABSTRACT
Traditional Chinese medicine describes ginseng in the Shen-nong-Ben-cao Jing as being sweet and a little cold. Ginseng's value as a universal tonic, which promotes and maintains good health, particularly for those who are physically and mentally troubled, aged men and women, has long been recognized in the Orient, and is slowly gaining recognition in the Western world. The dried root and rhizome of Acanthopanax senticosus of the family Araliaceae is Siberian ginseng. Siberian ginseng nourishes the kidneys and tranquilizes the spirit: it is used for treating male sexual disorders, impotence, spermatorrhea, and aches and pains in the loins and knees due to kidney deficiency or mental disturbance. The glycosides of Siberian ginseng appear to act on the adrenal glands, helping in the prevention of adrenal hypertrophy and excess corticosteroid production in response to stress. Siberian ginseng or Wu jia shen is a sedative and is helpful in patients suffering from sleep difficulties.
