subject: Sexual Effects of Panax Ginseng [print this page] Sexual Effects of Panax Ginseng Sexual Effects of Panax Ginseng
Ginseng is any one of eleven different species of perennial plants that belong to the Panax genus in the family Araliaceae. There are two main varieties of Ginseng, American and Asian (Panax ginseng). Both the American and Asian varieties are used as herbal remedies for an assortment of issues. Asian Ginseng roots are commonly used as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, sexual dysfunction treatment, and as a stimulant.
Recent studies on animals have demonstrated that ginseng enhances libido and sexual performance (17). These sexual effects may be due to the effects of ginseng on the central nervous system and gonadal tissues. In a study performed by the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (17), both American and Asian forms of Ginseng were found to enhance libido and copulatory performance. And, scientists at the Chonnam National University Medical School found ginseng to be capable of increasing sexual arousal in women (20). These sexual effects are thought to be caused by the effects of ginsengs active chemical component (ginsenosides), which directly affect the central nervous system and gonadal tissues (18,19). There is also evidence that ginsenosides can assist with penile erection by activating nitric oxide production (22) and relaxation of penile corpus cavernosum (17) . The inner-lining of blood vessels use nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, resulting in increased blood flow (23). Animal studies have provided further evidence to substantiate the role of nitric oxide in the mechanism of ginsenoside action (17).
In conclusion, the active chemical component in ginseng (ginsenosides) has been shown to directly affect gonadal tissues and the central nervous system. As a result of this effect, Ginseng may be an effective herbal treatment for erectile dysfunction in men, and may be an effective herbal treatment for low libido in women.
Works Cited
17. "Murphy LL, Lee TJ. Ginseng, Sex Behavior, and Nitric Oxide. May 2002. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12076988
18. Murphy and Lee Ginseng, sex behavior, and nitric oxide Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 May;962:372-7 PMID
19. de Andrade E; de Mesquita AA; Claro Jde A; de Andrade PM; Ortiz V; Paranhos M; Srougi MStudy of the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sector of Sexual Medicine, Division of Urological Clinic of Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
20. de Andrade E; de Mesquita AA; Claro Jde A; de Andrade PM; Ortiz V; Paranhos M; Srougi MStudy of the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sector of Sexual Medicine, Division of Urological Clinic of Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
21. Oh KJ, Chae MJ, Lee HS, Hong HD, Park K. Effects of Korean red ginseng on sexual arousal in menopausal women: placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover clinical study. Department of Urology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Sexual Medicine Research Center, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
22. Murphy , Laura L. &, Ferraro James S. Ginseng and Male Sexual Behavior. 2009. Herbal Drugs: Ethnomedicine to Modern Medicine.
23. Stryer, Lubert (1995). Biochemistry, 4th Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company. pp. 732.
