Unit 1 Description of a Pharmacy Grammar

How to use the Ginseng Root

Ginseng is a perennial herbaceous plant. It grows in the eastern parts of our country. It was found, to contain substance of the glycoside series: saponin, panaquilene; in addition to these its roots contain other oils-panacene and also panaxic acid, ginsenin, a small amount of alkaloids of unknown composition, cane sugar, phytosterols, resins, ferments (amylase and phenolase) vitamins B1, and B 12.

Ginseng preparations have been shown experimentally to have a very low toxicity and posses a wide therapeutic activity. They excite the nervous system, particularly the cortex, acting upon the stimulating and inhibitory process, increase the reactive process of the organism, stimulate cardiac activity, increase blood pressure, reduce the sugar content of the blood, excite the endocrine apparatus. Besides this render, a positive effect in case of inflammatory and wound processes.

Various publications come, in numerous indications of the use of ginseng in the treatment of various diseases. Yet, it should be noted that ginseng is not a specific remedy for any particular disease. One of the first indications for the administering ginseng as a tonic is hypotension, physical and mental fatigue, overstrain, neurasthenia and, recently endured exhausting disease.

Ginseng is also used in the treatment of nervous and mental diseases. In these cases it completely removes general weakness, headache, high irritability, insomnia and poor appetite. Under the effect of ginseng, depression and headaches decrease and an increase in activity is observed.

The positive effect of ginseng was marked also in functional disturbances of the cardio-vascular system; the heart tones of the patient become clearer, the heart contractions-rhythmical, hypotensive symptoms disappear, the blood pressure rises, general condition improves and pains in the region of the heart disappear.

The positive effect of ginseng has been established in the treatment of vegetative dystonia, general neurosis will symptoms of progressive emaciation vasomotos lability. There are indications of the use of ginseng also in the treatment of diabetes, tuberculosis, malaria, Botkin’s disease, in this cse a more rapid restoration of the function of the liver is obtained.

Ginseng is prescribed after consulting the physician and is administered orally in the form of an alcohol tincture: 15-25 drops 3 times a day, or in powder form by 0.25-0.3 gm.