Ginseng has often been called the king of herbs in China; and for good reason. For centuries it has been revered for its ability to boost energy and restore vitality. The first Chinese Emperor offered soldiers the same weight of silver as the wild ginseng they brought him. Ginseng’s reputation as the king of herbs rests on its ability to act as a general tonic that can boost mood, energy and concentration as well as helping people cope better with illness and stress of all kinds. Modern research has shown that ginseng can indeed improve alertness and concentration as well as inducing a feeling of relaxation and well-being.

There are three main types of ginseng: Panax ginseng which is also called Asian, Chinese or Korean, Siberian ginseng and American ginseng. In the East, Panax ginseng is used as a medicine but in the West we tend to see it as a tonic that can improve attention, concentration and prevent fatigue. The most common mistake is to take it unnecessarily or for too long – six to eight weeks is the maximum. The Chinese recommend that it should not be taken during the acute phase of illnesses such as colds, flu, bronchitis or allergy, but is best taken during the recovery period to speed a return to full health. Traditionally it has always been combined with other herbs for best effect.

Siberian ginseng is, in fact, not a true ginseng but an adaptogenic herb, which goes under the Latin name of Eleuthrococcus senticosus. Being an adaptogenic herb (adapting itself to your individual needs) it is believed to help the body adapt to stress, including the metabolic stress of fluctuating blood sugar levels. Currently, research is focusing on Siberian ginseng as a possible replacement for insulin in diabetes. Canadian scientists have found that Siberian ginseng taken before or after eating can reduce blood sugar levels significantly. It also aids in moving fluids and nutrients around the body. Like Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng stimulates stamina and resistance to stress.

Its tonic effect particularly supports the adrenal glands, helping people to calm the body and withstand physical stresses like infection, heat and cold. Athletes have shown up to nine per cent improvement in stamina when taking Siberian ginseng.

American ginseng was used historically by native American Indians for reducing pain in childbirth, increasing fertility (although it is contraindicated in pregnancy), treating shortness of breath, curing nose bleeds and upset stomachs, as well as increasing mental alertness.

For women, the best ginseng to use is the Siberian ginseng. Panax ginseng is more potent than Siberian ginseng and is often more suitable for men as it has a much stronger effect on boosting energy. In some women it is strong enough to cause palpitations and should definitely only be used in the short term (just a few weeks). Siberian ginseng on the other hand is a very nourishing herb for the adrenal glands and can be used over three to six months if you have been under constant stress.

Changing to a healthier diet and lifestyle and taking more exercise seems to be at least as effective at protecting people from diabetes as taking prescription drugs, a new study in the British Medical Journal shows.

Healthy lifestyle changes halved people’s risk of developing type two diabetes according to the researchers at the University of Leicester. They reviewed other research in which people who were at high risk of the disease had used different methods to reduce their risk.

The three methods were changing to a healthy lifestyle, taking drugs for diabetes and taking drugs to help with weight loss. Lifestyle changes were found to be  as effective as drugs and were not associated with bad side effects.

Weight loss is the key factor in reducing diabetes risk for high-risk, overweight individuals, a new study shows.

Participants in the intensive lifestyle intervention portion of the Diabetes Prevention Program, which involved cutting fat and calories with the goal of reducing weight by 7 percent, reduced their likelihood of developing diabetes by 58 percent over a 3-year period.