By Staff Writer - April, 22nd 2014

Ginseng has been known to have various immune functions. However, the effects of ginseng on viral infection remained largely unknown.

Natural Health News — Ginseng can help treat and prevent influenza and other respiratory infections of the lungs, according to new research.

In a recent issue of the open access journal Nutrients, lead researcher Sang-Moo Kang, of Georgia State University’s new Institute for Biomedical Sciences, reports on the beneficial effects of this well-known herbal medicine ahead of their publication in a major medical journal.

Kang’s primary research is in conventional medicine, with a focus on designing and developing effective vaccines against viral diseases such as influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages.

However for this investigation he partnered with a university and research institutes in South Korea that were seeking international collaborative projects to study the anti-viral effects of ginseng.

Influenza prevention is a challenge

Seasonal influenza is a serious respiratory disease that causes annual epidemics in humans worldwide, resulting in about three to five …

Standard doses of ginseng have not been established for any condition. Quality and active ingredients in supplements may vary widely from maker to maker. This makes it very hard to establish a standard dose. Always buy ginseng from a well-respected company. Because it’s an expensive root, there is a risk that disreputable manufacturers might sell adulterated ginseng or include less than advertised on the bottle.

 

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