MAINE MOUNTAIN GINSENG

	Ginseng is considered an ADAPTOGEN. Adaptogens are an especially interesting group of substances. When used, they are able to regulate in opposing ways to achieve a norm. They are credited with raising or lowering, increasing or decreasing things like blood pressure, blood sugar, etc on an as needed basis. While it may sound a bit "pie in the sky" to some readers, there is a scientific rationale behind it. Let us consider American ginseng specifically. It contains a variety of ginsenosides. Individual of the 29 known ginsenosides it contains have been found in some studies to increase blood pressure. Another of the 29 has been found to decrease blood pressure. One of its ginsenosides has been found to have an energizing effect while yet another has a calming effect. It is theorized that the body selects the ginsenoside which is needed and the net effect is desirable. By definition, an adaptogen is an herb that 1) must show a non-specific effect (raising the power of resistance to toxins of a physical, chemical or biological nature) 2) normalizes, independent of the type of pathological condition. For example if an adaptagen is taken to normalize blood sugar, it should increase the blood sugar level if it is low, and decrease the blood sugar level if it is high, or bring it back into balance. So if the blood sugar level is normal, a true adaptagen should not change it. 3) must be harmless and disturb the body functions as little as possible. Accordingly, adaptogens are to strengthen the non-specific powers of resistance to non-infectious stresses, raise the general performance capacity during stress situations and thereby prevent diseases that could develop due to over-stressing the organism. Below is a list of some of the herbs classified as ADAPTOGENS Ginseng Fo-Ti - Ho Shou Wu (polygonum multiflorum) Codonopsis Pilosula - Dang shen Astralagus - Huang chi Chinese Milk Vetch Schisandra chinesis - Wu wei zi Ashwaganda - Withania somnifira Reishi mushrooms - Ling zhi Poria Cocos - Fu Ling Virginia truffle Gotu Kola Euccomia Ulmoides Lycii berries Agelica sinesis - Dong Quai Holy Basil Devil's Bush - Eleutherococcus senticosus