Ashwagandha is found in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Africa, and the medicinal part of this herb is the root. Ashwagandha is an important herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha in India is akin to Ginseng in other parts of the Orient. Both herbs are touted for their longevity- enhancing and sexually-stimulating properties; however, Ashwagandha is considered to be milder than Ginseng. Ashwagandha has been used for four thousand years in traditional Indian medicine: It was used for tumors, inflammation (including arthritis) and a wide range of infectious diseases. Traditional uses of Ashwagandha among tribal peoples in Africa included fevers and inflammatory conditions. Modern herbalists classify Ashwagandha as an adaptogen, a substance said to increase the body's ability to withstand stress of all types. Like other adaptogens, Ashwagandha is supposed to improve physical energy, exercise capacity and overall health. It is also said to strengthen immunity, increase sexual capacity, improve fertility and normalize cholesterol levels. As its botanical specific, somnifera, suggests, Ashwagandha is also thought to produce mild sedation (it's of the nightshade family).
The primary chemical constituents of this herb include alkaloids, steroidal lactones and the compounds known as withanoloids, which are believed to account for the multiple medicinal applications of this herb. It also contains iron. Studies with rats and human volunteers have demonstrated Ashwagandha's potential value in helping to put malignant tumors into regression and in reducing inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The plant's high steroid content was found to be more potent than hydrocortisone in animal and human arthritis. Ashwagandha has also been shown to relieve pain by lowering serotonin levels, which contribute to the sensitivity of pain receptors in the body. It is considered a good tonic for the mind and useful for those who have over-indulged in work, drugs or alcohol.
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Korean Ginseng is also known by the names Asian Ginseng, Asiatic Ginger, Panax Ginseng and Chinese Ginseng. Korean Ginseng is a deciduous perennial shrub whose fleshy root requires four to six years of cultivation to reach maturity. Its name is derived from the Chinese word, jen shen, which means "man root," so-named because some roots have limb-like branches resembling arms and legs. Because the root has a human-like shape, it is considered by Orientals to be an overall body tonic. Traditionally, the wild root was consumed to vitalize, strengthen and rejuvenate the entire body. Widely cultivated, Korean Ginseng is now used as a natural preventative, restorative remedy and valued for its adaptogenic properties. Korean Ginseng is more stimulating and increases the "yang" energy, while American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) increases the "yin" energy. Korean Ginseng is considered most suitable for males and for older people. Used for centuries in China, Korean Ginseng was believed to be and anti-ageing herb. Today, Ginseng is a favorable herb because of its ability to be used long-term without toxic effects on the body. Korean Ginseng contains adaptogens that have been known to return the body's system levels back to normal. By equalizing the system levels in the body, Korean Ginseng has been used to lower cholesterol, balance metabolism, increase energy levels and stimulate the immune system. It has also been used to alleviate fatigue and reduce nervousness and stress on the body. Korean Ginseng also increases oxygenation to the cells and tissues, promoting detoxification and stimulating the regeneration of damaged cells. For this reason, Korean Ginseng is the popular choice because it enhances the feeling of overall well-being by stimulating the nervous system, brain and heart, as well as healthy liver functions.
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