UK Catering Forum

Hi People

Ok so I thought I would ask and see - has anyone in here ever taken Ginseng and does it really make you feel like you have more energy etc etc... And like anything else that gives you an energy boost, can it be bad for you? Are there side effects etc etc?

I am only asking as Jose's sister has recently started taking it and said she feels so much more energetic than before?

Here's something interesting I found Salina:

Many ginseng products, such as those sold in food marts or gas stations, are probably counterfeit. One analysis by Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science concluded that 60 percent of the fifty-four ginseng products analyzed were "worthless."

Only mature ginseng has health-promoting value, because ginseng needs at least six years to accumulate the active compounds. And the purity of the herb is also a concern. While the only way to be certain of ginseng's age and purity is to know the grower or grow it yourself, wild-harvested ginseng is less likely to be contaminated. But wild ginseng is difficult to find and is very expensive.

I also read there are over 10 different types of Ginseng which have different health benefits. On the whole it did have good results, although the results in China were much better. I reckon that's down to a combination of plany purity, higher doses taken, cost and the fact they are the biggest exported in the worlD (maybe not quite the truth).

Stu wrote:Here's something interesting I found Salina:

Many ginseng products, such as those sold in food marts or gas stations, are probably counterfeit. One analysis by Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science concluded that 60 percent of the fifty-four ginseng products analyzed were "worthless."

Only mature ginseng has health-promoting value, because ginseng needs at least six years to accumulate the active compounds. And the purity of the herb is also a concern. While the only way to be certain of ginseng's age and purity is to know the grower or grow it yourself, wild-harvested ginseng is less likely to be contaminated. But wild ginseng is difficult to find and is very expensive.

I also read there are over 10 different types of Ginseng which have different health benefits. On the whole it did have good results, although the results in China were much better. I reckon that's down to a combination of plany purity, higher doses taken, cost and the fact they are the biggest exported in the worlD (maybe not quite the truth).

Wow Stu thanks for all that! Definately a help as I have started taking it but am not really sure what its doing for me at the moment hehe!

I may take a visit to Holland and Barrett instead thgis week and see what they say? They have to have the good stuff right? Or maybe the Chinese herbal medicine man hehe!

I've never tried Ginseng and would be interested to see if it makes any difference Salina.

Sarah H wrote:I've never tried Ginseng and would be interested to see if it makes any difference Salina.

I will let you know Sarah