GinsengWhat is ginseng?Ginseng is classified as an adaptogen. Hans Selye, a leading expert on stress, defines an adaptogen as a "non-toxic substance that strengthens the body's ability to react to stress" (http:/www.sunwellness.com/ginseng.html). It is offered in a variety of species, each providing a different response. What is ginseng made of? Ginseng is a plant with many different components. It is used in its entirety in the preparation of herbal teas, powders and capsules. It contains saponins, or soap-like materials, which have been named with various numbers and letters, such as Rg1. Its root is said to have a similar composition to that of a steroid (http://www.mkservices.com/ginseng/more.html) ) It contains compounds containing hydrogen, carbon and oxygen in the proportion C42 H72O14, (Liu et al ., 1995). What does it promise? Ginseng is said to have many effects on the human body. The refreshing or relaxing effects are felt from "Yin" ginsengs such as American or Siberian ones. Warming or stimulating effects are seen from "Yang" ginsengs which include Korean and Chinese ginseng species (http://www.tenzing.com/g.html). What they say: Promised effects Where they say it: Internet addresses Stimulates mental and physical activity, improves work precision, prevents http://www.mkservices.con-L/ginseng/more.html fatigue, stimulates endocrine glands , improves memory http://www.com-star.com /ginseng/about.htmlstrengthens the heart and nervous system, increases mental and physical vitality, increases resistance to disease, stimulates endocrine glands http://www .dacom.co.kr/O/o7Ekkm55/moreinfo.htmlrecommended for:decreased health conditions, han...... half of the document ......ss-induced antinocipetion in mice. Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior, 52(2) 427-32. Nishiyama N., Wang YL., Saito H. (1995). Beneficial effects of S-113m, a new herbal prescription, on learning disability model in mice. Biological & Pharmaceutical Buletin, 18 (11), 1498-503. Van Schepdael P. (1993). Effect of Ginseng G115 on the physical condition of triathletes. Acta Therapeutica, 19(4), 337-347. Wiklund I., Karlberg J., Lund B. (1994). A double-blind comparison of the effect on quality of life of a combination of vital substances including standardized G115 ginseng and placebo. Current Therapeutic Research, 55(1) 32-42. Zhang Y., Takashina K., Saito H., Nishiyama N. (1994). Anti-aging effect of DX-9386 in mice with accelerated senescence. Melissa Schweikhart Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee Health Psychology 115A December 10, 1996