10 Things About American Ginseng →

Ginseng is widely used because people want more energy, stamina, and mental clarity. Often found as an ingredient in an energy shot or soft drink. There are five types of Ginsengs. They share similar properties, however, they aren’t all of the same plant species. Today I am focusing on American Ginseng, and 10 Things to Know about it.

• It is an adaptogen and tonic herb entering the Kidney, Heart, and Lung channels

• From a Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine perspective it Nourishes Yin, Tonifies Qi, Clears Deficient Heat, and Clears Lung Fire. 

• American Ginseng is less stimulating than Panax Ginseng and cool whereas Panax Ginseng is slightly warm.

• CNS (Central Nervous System) suppressant making it useful for insomnia, ADD, and tinnitus.

• It generates fluids aiding in dry mouth, thirst, dry Lungs, hoarse throat, and dry cough with blood. 

• Useful for respiratory conditions wheezing, asthma, and allergies.

• Benefits the digestive system making it helpful for atonic indigestion, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and digestive weakness.

• Helpful in cases of menopause for night sweats, and hot flashes.

• Balances hormones and protects the adrenals. Stress and fatigue, weak adrenals, dark circles under the eyes, catch colds easily.  

• Helps control metabolic syndrome and Type II Diabetes.

• One bonus and unexpected use - jetlag!

Remember, not every herb works for everybody.  Let me know if I can help you determine if American Ginseng might be right for you.

Energy/Taste: slightly bitter, sweet, slightly cool (Tierra) / cold (Bensky) | Channels and Organs affected: Lung, Kidney, Heart | Dosage: 3-6g

References: Chen & Chen,(2012) Chinese Medical Herbology & Pharmacology; Bensky, Clavey, Stoger w/Gamble,(2015) Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica; Michael and Lesley Tierra,(2017) East-West Herb Course Materia Medica; David Winston,(2007) Adaptogens, Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief 

9 Things to Know About Sage - Garden Sage - Salvia Officinalis

• Native to the Mediterranean with over 900 species it belongs to the mint family of herbs.

• Contains many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds including cineole, camphor, camphene, borneol, and bornyl acetate.

• Contains thujone which has antiseptic and antibiotic properties that helps the body fight off viruses and bacteria.

• A natural source of flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds possessing strong antioxidant, radical-scavenging, and antibacterial activities. 

• Contains many nutrients including vitamins A and K, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, folate, and beta-carotene.

• There have been studies done on its anti-inflammatory abilities, its effect on cognition and memory, as well as its ability to lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels. This is exciting news for those with diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and high cholesterol.

• It has been looked at for use against obesity in studies due to its active components on the pancreatic lipase activity and lipid digestion. 

• Traditionally been used for the treatment of digestive and circulatory disturbances, bronchitis, cough, asthma, angina, mouth and throat inflammations, depression, excessive sweating, hot flashes, skin diseases, muscle tension, worms, colds, and flu, etc. 

• Used to dry breast milk production.
  

Sage tea: 

Bring 1 quart of water to a boil

Add 1 ounce of fresh sage leaves,  honey to taste, 1-2 lemons cut into wedges

Turn off heat, cover pot, and let sit for 30 minutes, strain and drink. May also use as a gargle for a sore throat.

Sage can interfere with certain medications or health conditions. Those that are dry or experiencing Yin deficiency should consult a qualified herbalist.  Sage should be avoided by those women who are pregnant or nursing.  If you are unsure if sage is right for you - let me know,  I am happy to work with you to see if it is a fit. 

• Christensen KB, Jorgenson M, Kotowska D, Peterson RK, Kristiansen K, Christensen LP. Activation of the nuclear receptor PPARγ by metabolites isolated from sage (Salvia officinalis L.) J Ethnopharmacol. 2010;132:127–33.

• Baranauskiene R, Dambrauskiene E, Venskutonis P. Influence of harvesting time on the yield and chemical composition of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) Foodbalt. 2011:105–9.

• Yurtseven S, Cetin M, Sengiil T, Sogut B. Effect of sage extract (Salvia officinalis) on growth performance, blood parameters, oxidative stress and DNA damage in partridges. S Afr J Anim Sci. 2008;38:145–52

• Yadav S, Mukundan U. In vitro antioxidant properties of Salvia coccinea Buc’hoz ex etl. and Salvia officinalis L. Indian J Fundam Appl Life Sci. 2011;1:232–8

• Ninomiya K, Matsuda H, Shimoda H, Nishida N, Kasajima N, Youshino T, et al. Carnosic acid, a new class of lipid absorption inhibitor from sage. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2004;14:1943–6