- ALLERGY, RESPIRATORY
- Childhood Food Allergies on the Rise
- Traffic, Dust Linked to Asthma in Kids
- Obesity May Raise Kids' Allergy Risk
- ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
- Taking the Mystery Out of Hypnotherapy
- Massage Therapy Helps Those With Advanced Cancer
- Massage Fosters Healing in Bereaved Relatives
- ANIMAL CARE
- Rest Easy. When It Comes to Swine Flu, Your Pet Is Safe
- Separation Anxiety, Canine-Style
- Safe Toys for Dogs
- BONES & JOINTS
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Rising Among U.S. Women
- Chronic Low Back Pain Is on the Rise
- Fruits and Veggies May Strengthen Bones
- CANCER
- Scams and Shams That Prey on Cancer Patients
- Healthy Behaviors Slow Functional Decline After Cancer
- No Verdict Yet on Grape Seed Extract vs. Breast Cancer
- CAREGIVING
- Most Women Struggle With Rising Health Care Costs
- High Rate of Rehospitalizations Costing Billions
- Distance No Bar to Kidney Transplants in Remote Areas
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- Secondhand Smoke Quickly Affects Blood Vessels
- Exercise Extends Life of Kidney Patients
- High Blood Fat Levels Common in Americans
- COSMETIC
- New Genetic Links to Baldness Discovered
- Mouse Study Finds Molecule That Tells Hair to Grow
- Gum Chewing May Cut Craving for Snacks
- DENTAL, ORAL
- Amino Acid May Be Key to Strong Teeth
- Scientists Find Gene for Tooth Enamel
- Biological Product Shows Promise Against Gum Disease
- DIABETES
- Laughter May Lower Heart Attack Risk in Diabetics
- 'Standard' Glucose Test May Be Wrong One for Obese Children
- 24 Million Americans Had Diabetes in 2007
- DIET, NUTRITION
- Eating Less May Slow Aging Process
- Coffee or Tea Consumption May Lower Stroke Risk
- Western Diet Linked To Heart Disease, Metabolic Syndrome
- DISABILITIES
- Review Finds Marijuana May Help MS Patients
- Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Are Medical Meetings Environmentally Unfriendly?
- Dementia Underestimated in Developing Countries
- Childhood Food Allergies on the Rise
- EYE CARE, VISION
- Kids Who Spend More Time Outdoors Have Better Vision
- Eye Test Could Spot Diabetes Vision Trouble Early
- 'Blind' Man Navigates Obstacle Course Without Error
- FITNESS
- Research Confirms How Valuable A Healthy Lifestyle Can Be
- Occupational Therapy Plus Exercise Benefits Osteoarthritis
- Be Healthy, Spend Less
- GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS
- New Guidelines Issued for Management of IBS
- Soothing Imagery May Help Rid Some Kids of Stomach Pain
- Traditional Nonsurgical GERD Treatments Not Impressive
- GENERAL HEALTH
- Want Better Health in the New Year, Add Exercise to Your Day
- Swine Flu Now Reported in All 50 States
- Stressed and Exhausted: An Introduction to Adrenal Fatigue
- HEAD & NECK
- Many Children Will Outgrow Headaches
- Zen May Thicken Brain, Thwart Pain
- Ski Helmets Encouraged for All
- HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
- Subway Defibrillators Save Lives
- 'Cell Phone Elbow' -- A New Ill for the Wired Age
- 'Comfort Dogs' Come to Emotional Rescue
- HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR
- Omega-3, Some Omega-6 Fatty Acids Boost Cardiovascular Health
- Lack of Vitamin D Linked to High Blood Pressure
- Vigorous Exercise Cuts Stroke Risk for Men, Not Women
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Surgical Masks Could Prevent Flu, Maybe
- Swine Flu Closes Three Schools in NYC
- Grapefruit Compound Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus
- KID'S HEALTH
- Traffic, Dust Linked to Asthma in Kids
- Dangerous Toys Still on Store Shelves, Report Finds
- Childhood Dairy Intake Boosts Bone Health Later On
- MEN'S HEALTH
- Drinking Green Tea May Slow Prostate Cancer
- Vigorous Exercise Cuts Stroke Risk for Men, Not Women
- Whole Grains, Bran May Fight Hypertension in Men
- MENTAL HEALTH
- Meditation, Yoga Might Switch Off Stress Genes
- Common Social Groups and Race, Seem to Help People Relate
- The Unmedicated Mind
- PREGNANCY
- Acupuncture May Relieve Acid Indigestation In Pregnancy
- Mom's Extra Pregnancy Pounds May Raise Child's Heart Risks
- Sugary Colas Tied to Gestational Diabetes
- SENIORS
- Nighttime Urination Linked to Higher Death Rate Among Elderly
- Common Antioxidant Might Slow Parkinson's
- Many Cancer Survivors Don't Adopt Healthy Lifestyle
New Insights Show Ginseng Fights Inflammation
By eHolistic.com Published: 05/15/2009
FRIDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- Ginseng has been used in medicine for centuries, and now its reputation for improving health is expanding: A new study has found that the herb, which is used in traditional Chinese and other Asian medicine, fights inflammation.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong identified seven constituents of ginseng, called ginsenosides, that showed immunosuppressive effects.
The findings are published online in the Journal of Translational Medicine.
"The anti-inflammatory role of ginseng may be due to the combined effects of these ginsenosides, targeting different levels of immunological activity, and so contributing to the diverse actions of ginseng in humans," said research leader Allan Lau. "Further studies will be needed to examine the potential beneficial effects of ginsenosides in the management of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases in humans."
The researchers used advanced techniques to identify the individual constituents and define their bioactivity. These techniques could be used to study other medicinal herbs.
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the ginseng root is dried and used to make tablets or capsules, extracts and teas, as well as creams or other preparations for external use.
The NIH notes that traditional and modern uses of ginseng include:
* Improving the health of people who are recovering from an illness.
* Increasing a person's sense of well-being and stamina, and improving both mental and physical performance.
* Treating erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C and symptoms related to menopause.
* Lowering blood glucose and controlling blood pressure.
Ginseng also may lower levels of blood sugar and this effect may be seen more in people with diabetes, the NIH explains. Because of this, diabetics should be very careful with ginseng, especially if they are using medicines to lower blood sugar or taking other herbs, such as bitter melon and fenugreek, that are also thought to lower blood sugar.
But, like anything else, the usually well-tolerated herb can have some side effects, the NIH warns. The most common ones are headaches and sleep and gastrointestinal problems.
More information
The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more about ginseng.
--Dennis Thompson
SOURCE: BioMed Central Limited, news release, May 14, 2009
Last Updated: May 15, 2009
Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
More articles at www.eholistic.com
