About ginseng
" There are three different plants commonly known as ginseng, namely American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) which has only the common name without actually being one."
There are many types and qualities of ginseng, depending on the origin, the maturity of the root, the parts of the root used and the methods of preparing or processing the raw material. However, only Korean ginseng is recognized by the European Pharmacopoeia and it is this herbaceous plant, also called "Ren Shen" (the human-shaped root), which will be discussed later in this article.
Red ginseng or white ginseng?
Red ginseng and white ginseng are actually from the same plant. It is only the steaming time that makes the root more or less red.
Ginseng, a plant with many active ingredients
Ginseng is a plant known for millennia in China where it was used as a tonic and sexual revitalizer. Its botanical name "Panax" also means "panacea" as its indications and benefits are numerous.
And for good reason, ginseng has no less than 150 active ingredients including ginsenosides, sterols, estrogens, phenolic acids, etc.
These active ingredients give it a myriad of pharmacological properties, although ginseng is best known for being an anti-fatigue plant, improving physical and cognitive abilities.
Why is ginseng indicated for dogs?
In both Chinese medicine and the veterinary field, Korean ginseng is used as a Qi tonic to boost vitality. Some practitioners use ginseng to tone the dog's body in case of fatigue or weakness. It is therefore ideal for older dogs, convalescing dogs or athletic dogs to help them recover after a major effort.
For these purposes, ginseng is often used as a component at the center of a synergy of other so-called "adaptogen" plants such as:
- blackcurrant, liquorice and eleutherococcus (Siberian "ginseng" ), to fight against physical fatigue,
- tribulus, horsetail and the aerial parts of nettle to prepare sporting dogs for a competition (beware, however, of the "doping" effect of ginseng- cf. anabolic action described below),
- blackcurrant and nettle root to help a recovering dog recover well.
But there are also more specific actions of ginseng that can justify its use in dogs such as its action:
- stimulating the adrenal glands, which sometimes makes it useful in the management of Addison's disease refractory to standard treatment,
- to fight erectile dysfunction and lack of libido in male dogs,
- anabolic to improve the recovery of the animal's muscle mass, which is particularly useful in sports animals, convalescents or recovering from cancer. For these reasons, ginseng is also considered a doping plant! Its use must be stopped within 5 days preceding a sports competition for the animal,
- beneficial on cognitive functions and on the improvement of mental disorders in dogs. Combined with other plants, ginseng is therefore also very useful in older dogs suffering from delirium and/or involutional depression.
How to give ginseng to a dog?
Ginseng exists in different galenic forms on the market with highly variable ginsenoside concentrations (and therefore efficacy).
Naturopathic veterinarians prefer to use it in the form of capsules of micronized powder or in phytostandardized extracts (or EPS), whose concentrations of active ingredients are known and controlled, to combine it with active ingredients from other plants.
Your veterinarian will determine the most suitable dosage for your animal.
Note!
Ginseng essential oil can also be used topically to fight joint pain. However, its use is not without danger and must be supervised by a veterinarian.
What are the dangers of ginseng for dogs?
There are no recognized side effects of ginseng when used in therapeutic doses. However, an overdose of this plant can cause:
- tachycardia (increased heart rate),
- insomnia,
- hyperexcitability, especially sexual,
- high blood pressure,
- aggressiveness.
For all these reasons, it is therefore advisable to always seek the advice of a specialized veterinarian before administering ginseng to your dog and all the more so if your dog is already under medical treatment in order to avoid any possible interaction.