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Panax ginseng (PG), also known as Korean ginseng, is a highly produced plant that has been used medicinally. This plant has been known to be used to aid in a large variety of ailments in the form of tonics and adaptogens. According to a study done by Kyung Hee University, this herbal medicine has been stated to “enhanced physical and sexual functions, general vitality, and antistress and antiaging functions. In addition, modern pharmacological studies have revealed ginseng’s adaptogenic activities against cardiovascular dysfunction and various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders”.
Panax quiquefolius (PQ), also known as American ginseng, is the main form of ginseng that is produced around the world. It has been advertised as the opposite of PG and should be used by people who live in a hot climate or those who have hypertension. When used, PQ has a “cooling effect” and is best used in the summer. It has been claimed that PG opposes the cooling effect by raising body temperature. However, this study done by Kyung Hee University states that “such claims have been relayed to consumers without any scientific backing”.
In response, researchers set up an experiment to test what effects PG and PQ have on body temperature. Mice were used to test the claims on whether PQ is truly cooling, and PG raises body temperature. Mice are thermoregulators who use energy to maintain their body to function in a given temperature range. Much like humans, mice must stay in a state of homeostasis to survive. Ginseng has also been claimed to help maintain homeostasis; so let’s put it to the test.
Seven-week-old male mice were placed in a chamber with a 12/12-hour light/dark cycle to mimic day and night. They were provided with food as needed until the experiment was in duration at which the mice were fasted. PG and PQ were administered orally in doses of 300mg/kg. To simulate hyperthermia and hypothermia in order to test differing body temperature effects of ginseng in ability to change body temperature, anesthetized mice were placed in water baths. “The body temperatures of hyperthermic, normothermic, and hypothermic mice were maintained at 40∘ C, 37∘ C, and 34∘ C, respectively”. The mice had their body temperature measured every 10 min in order to track changes sufficiently. Another group of unanesthetized mice were places in either high or low room temperatures (plus a control group). “The high room temperature incubator was kept at 38∘C, while the low temperature incubator was maintained at 10∘C. The normal room temperature was kept at 25∘C”.
Results showed that the mice placed in the water bath showed PG and PQ had no effect on body temperature as all mice had similar body temperatures regardless of what was administered. However, mice placed in differing room temperatures did show that when PQ was administered, the mice had lowered or were similar to the body temperature of the control group. However, throughout the 120 min experiment, PQ did not help maintain the lowered temperature over the entire 120min. In contrast, PG did help maintain a constant temperature over the duration of the experiment.
So what does this mean? The common belief that PG increases body temperature is a MYTH. PG was found to help maintain homeostasis in a “hypothermia-prone low temperature environment” due to the PG-administered mice having a constant temperature. The study concluded that ginseng, both PG and PQ, are safe to use, but common misunderstandings on the effects should be further researched.
Source:
Bin Na Hong, Moon Ho Do, You Ri Her, Yeong Ro Lee, Tong Ho Kang, "The Effects of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius on Thermoregulation in Animal Models", Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2015, Article ID 748041, 8 pages, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/748041
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