Ginseng is full of saponins. Approximately thirty of these compounds have been identified, and they appear to be responsible for most of the activity of ginseng. Their chemical structures are similar to those of steroids such as testosterone and estrogen. Other nonsaponin components have been shown to lower blood sugar. Other components, of ginseng, have been shown to stimulate nitric oxide formation.
Ginseng is sedative at low doses and a stimulant at high doses.
This balancing act is why ginseng is known as an adaptogen.
Biological explanations are hard to come by, because those that have money for such study find no avenue for monetary income.
Suffice it to say that ginseng has been used for over 2000 years. No one has complained.
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- Jim
"We all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own." - Emperor Marcus Aurelius
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