The Health Benefits of Ginseng Putting Down Roots I love it when science proves me, and all the other advocates of natural medicine, right. This time the news is about ginseng. A few months ago, I read about how this herb helps stabilize blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Now another study finds that it may benefit the brain, too. Actually, this isn't the first study to offer evidence of ginseng's advantage to the brain. Two years ago, a small Chinese trial found that ginseng helped people with stroke-induced dementia improve their memory. The latest research comes out of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. A team of scientists there found that rats given a concentrated extract of ginseng were protected from the brain-damaging effects of Huntington's disease. (See the "What is..." section below for more information on Huntington's disease). The study compared a purified ginseng extract against a preparation from the whole root of American ginseng and a preparation of ground leaves and stems of the plant. In this case it wasn't the root of the ginseng plant that offered protection. Instead, a concentrated extract of purified ginseng, designed to be particularly rich in three specific ginsenosides, provided the most benefit. It significantly reduced motor impairment and brain cell loss in the Huntington's-affected rats -- and completely prevented mortality. The research could also have relevancy to other degenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's disease. **************************************************** A good source Q: I often read in your newsletters about different herbal remedies and would like to try them. But I live in a rural area and either can't find what I am looking for, the products seem to be of poor quality, or they are not in the necessary strengths that I need. Is there another way to get the products I'm interested in? JVW: You're right to be concerned about the quality of the supplements you ingest. As with any product, the quality depends on a number of factors, including the ingredients, how it was manufactured, and the product's stability or shelf-life. The best way to get natural products you can trust is to form a relationship with a physician skilled in natural medicine who can recommend specific formulas and brands. Even though you're in a rural area, chances are you'll be able to find such a physician within driving distance. Some good sources to check are the American College for Advancement in Medicine (888-439-6891; www.acam.com), the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (866-538-2267; www.naturopathic.org), and the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (800-884-2236; www.aaem.org). **************************************************** What is...Huntington's disease? This progressive brain disease, also known as Huntington chorea (from the Greek word dance), is a disorder caused by a faulty gene. Its onset occurs later in life, usually between the ages of 35 and 50. Symptoms include uncontrollable jerking and flinging movements, facial grimacing, and the gradual loss of cognitive function. Yours in good health, Amanda Ross Editorial Director Nutrition & Healing Sources: "Protective effects of ginseng components in rodent model of neurodegeneration." Annals of Neurology 2005; 57: 642-648

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