Introduction TO GINSENG FOR MUSCLE DAMAGE
Panax Ginseng is one of the many plants belonging to the Panax family. The uses for this plant are extremely diverse. It’s most commonly used in forms of herbal medicine from China.
There has been lots of research into the relation between muscle damage and Panax Ginseng. Muscle damage refers to strains or tears in muscle fibers in the body.
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When this happens, people can be left in a lot of pain. It’s found that there are some links between Panax Ginseng and muscle damage. More specifically, research claims that it can lead to a reduction in muscle damage and speed up recovery time. The following studies help to back up this claim:
Ginseng & Muscle Damage Research
Study 1: Effects Of Panax Ginseng Supplementation on Muscle Damage In Humans
The University of Hong Kong carried out research looking into ginseng. They conducted some lab experiments to see what effects it had on the human body. In particular, they were interested in how it affected the bodies immune system. As part of the study, they identified nine components of ginseng.
The research then consisted of treating various human immune cells with ginseng extracts. Out of the nine components, it was found that seven of them had anti-inflammatory effects. These seven components were shown to prevent the presence of the inflammatory gene within the human cells.
This study proved that there is a relation between ginseng and inflammation. More importantly, it can be used to reduce inflammation in the human body. A study by the Kyungpook National University in Korea looked at supplementation of Panax ginseng. The purpose of this study was to see how it affected muscle damage in humans. Eighteen college students were assigned to two different groups. One group took Panax ginseng extract; the other took a placebo.
All of the subjects performed high intensity running tasks. They ran uphill on a treadmill for 45 minutes, twice over. Between each run, they had a five-minute break for recovery. The group that took ginseng extract ingested it with water three times a day for seven days before performing the task.
They also took in for four days after the task. The other group ingested a placebo on the same schedule. After the tests had been run, the results proved conclusive. The group that ingested Panax ginseng had reduced muscle damage compared to the other group. Furthermore, it showed they had improvements in insulin sensitivity as well.
Study 2: Protective Effects Of Panax Ginseng On Muscle Injury And Inflammation After Eccentric Exercise
What this study shows us is that people can benefit from supplementing this plant extract before and after exercise. It’s proven to have a positive effect on recovery.
The second study is from the University of Leon in Spain. The Department of Physiology explored the protective effects of Panax ginseng.
They tested two different extracts of this plant to see what they could find. A crude extract and standardized one were used. It’s important to note that this study was carried out on a rat, and not a human. The rats were subjected to intense exercise on a treadmill, with each of them given an extract. What the results showed was that Panax ginseng was effective in reducing injuries caused by muscle contractions.
This research shows us that Panax ginseng is a good way of preventing injuries. It can be taken before exercise to reduce your chances of muscle strains or tears.
The University of Hong Kong carried out research looking into ginseng. They conducted some lab experiments to see what effects it had on the human body. In particular, they were interested in how it affected the bodies immune system. As part of the study, they identified nine components of ginseng.
The research then consisted of treating various human immune cells with ginseng extracts. Out of the nine components, it was found that seven of them had anti-inflammatory effects. These seven components were shown to prevent the presence of the inflammatory gene within the human cells.
This study proved that there is a relation between ginseng and inflammation. More importantly, it can be used to reduce inflammation in the human body. A study by the Kyungpook National University in Korea looked at supplementation of Panax ginseng. The purpose of this study was to see how it affected muscle damage in humans. Eighteen college students were assigned to two different groups. One group took Panax ginseng extract; the other took a placebo.
All of the subjects performed high intensity running tasks. They ran uphill on a treadmill for 45 minutes, twice over. Between each run, they had a five-minute break for recovery. The group that took ginseng extract ingested it with water three times a day for seven days before performing the task.
They also took in for four days after the task. The other group ingested a placebo on the same schedule. After the tests had been run, the results proved conclusive. The group that ingested Panax ginseng had reduced muscle damage compared to the other group. Furthermore, it showed they had improvements in insulin sensitivity as well.
Study 2: Protective Effects Of Panax Ginseng On Muscle Injury And Inflammation After Eccentric Exercise
What this study shows us is that people can benefit from supplementing this plant extract before and after exercise. It’s proven to have a positive effect on recovery.
The second study is from the University of Leon in Spain. The Department of Physiology explored the protective effects of Panax ginseng.
They tested two different extracts of this plant to see what they could find. A crude extract and standardized one were used. It’s important to note that this study was carried out on a rat, and not a human. The rats were subjected to intense exercise on a treadmill, with each of them given an extract. What the results showed was that Panax ginseng was effective in reducing injuries caused by muscle contractions.
This research shows us that Panax ginseng is a good way of preventing injuries. It can be taken before exercise to reduce your chances of muscle strains or tears.
Can Panax Ginseng Reduce Muscle Damage?
After looking at various studies, it’s clear that there’s a direct link between this plant and muscle damage. All the research shows that Panax ginseng can reduce muscle damage and help prevent injuries. This makes it an ideal supplement for athletes or people taking part in physical activity. Anyone that does regular, high intensity, exercise can benefit from taking Panax ginseng.
In particular, professional athletes will benefit the most. It presents a legal way to speed up recovery, something that is vital in top-level sports. It’s suggested that Panax ginseng is best for athletes that require quick recovery. The best example of this is tennis players that need to play almost every day throughout the year. Without a proper recovery supplement, they’re susceptible to muscle damage and injuries.
Runners can also benefit from this as they’re doing lots of intense exercises. Running every day can take its toll on the body. By adding Panax ginseng to your supplement list, you’ll see improvements in recovery time. It will greatly reduce the risk of getting minor muscle strains and tears. Similarly, this can help increase your endurance too. By limiting your chances of muscle damage, your body can run for longer. You can go through more muscle contractions without worrying about injuries.
This plant is available in various forms for people to ingest. Athletes that use this will either use the dried root or a supplement tablet. The dried root can be mixed in with water and drank up to three times per day. There is a capsule form of Panax ginseng that is perhaps most widely used by athletes. It’s far more convenient to carry around, and can be taken with water like any other tablet. It’s suggested you take this capsule two times a day, preferably in the morning and afternoon for maximum benefits.
In particular, professional athletes will benefit the most. It presents a legal way to speed up recovery, something that is vital in top-level sports. It’s suggested that Panax ginseng is best for athletes that require quick recovery. The best example of this is tennis players that need to play almost every day throughout the year. Without a proper recovery supplement, they’re susceptible to muscle damage and injuries.
Runners can also benefit from this as they’re doing lots of intense exercises. Running every day can take its toll on the body. By adding Panax ginseng to your supplement list, you’ll see improvements in recovery time. It will greatly reduce the risk of getting minor muscle strains and tears. Similarly, this can help increase your endurance too. By limiting your chances of muscle damage, your body can run for longer. You can go through more muscle contractions without worrying about injuries.
This plant is available in various forms for people to ingest. Athletes that use this will either use the dried root or a supplement tablet. The dried root can be mixed in with water and drank up to three times per day. There is a capsule form of Panax ginseng that is perhaps most widely used by athletes. It’s far more convenient to carry around, and can be taken with water like any other tablet. It’s suggested you take this capsule two times a day, preferably in the morning and afternoon for maximum benefits.
What the Doctor Recommends
How to know when to seek medical help?
Muscle strain, muscle pull, or even a muscle tear refers to damage to a muscle or its attaching tendons. Muscle damage can be in the form of tearing (part or all) of the muscle fibers and the tendons attached to the muscle. The tearing of the muscle can also damage small blood vessels, causing local bleeding, or bruising, and pain caused by irritation of the nerve endings in the area.
Symptoms of muscle strain include:
If you have a significant muscle injury (or if home remedies bring no relief in 24 hours), call your doctor.
If you hear a "popping" sound with the injury, cannot walk, or there is significant swelling, pain, fever, or open cuts, you should be examined in a hospital's emergency department.
Muscle Strain Treatment - Self-Care at Home
The amount of swelling or local bleeding into the muscle (from torn blood vessels) can best be managed early by applying ice packs and maintaining the strained muscle in a stretched position. Heat can be applied when the swelling has lessened. However, the early application of heat can increase swelling and pain.
Note: Ice or heat should not be applied to bare skin. Always use a protective covering such as a towel between the ice or heat and the skin.
Muscle strain, muscle pull, or even a muscle tear refers to damage to a muscle or its attaching tendons. Muscle damage can be in the form of tearing (part or all) of the muscle fibers and the tendons attached to the muscle. The tearing of the muscle can also damage small blood vessels, causing local bleeding, or bruising, and pain caused by irritation of the nerve endings in the area.
Symptoms of muscle strain include:
- Swelling, bruising, or redness due to the injury
- Pain at rest
- Pain when the specific muscle or the joint in relation to that muscle is used
- Weakness of the muscle or tendons
- Inability to use the muscle at all
If you have a significant muscle injury (or if home remedies bring no relief in 24 hours), call your doctor.
If you hear a "popping" sound with the injury, cannot walk, or there is significant swelling, pain, fever, or open cuts, you should be examined in a hospital's emergency department.
Muscle Strain Treatment - Self-Care at Home
The amount of swelling or local bleeding into the muscle (from torn blood vessels) can best be managed early by applying ice packs and maintaining the strained muscle in a stretched position. Heat can be applied when the swelling has lessened. However, the early application of heat can increase swelling and pain.
Note: Ice or heat should not be applied to bare skin. Always use a protective covering such as a towel between the ice or heat and the skin.
- Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as naproxen or ibuprofen to reduce pain and improve your ability to move around.
- Protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (known as the PRICE formula) can help the affected muscle. Here's how: First, remove all constrictive clothing, including jewelry, in the area of muscle strain. Then:
- Protect the strained muscle from further injury.
- Rest the strained muscle. Avoid the activities that caused the strain and other activities that are painful.
- Ice the muscle area (20 minutes every hour while awake). Ice is a very effective anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever. Small ice packs, such as packages of frozen vegetables or water frozen in foam coffee cups, applied to the area may help decrease inflammation.
- Compression can be gently applied with an Ace or other elastic bandage, which can both provide support and decrease swelling. Do not wrap tightly.
- Elevate the injured area to decrease swelling
References
Jung, HL et al. Effects of Panax ginseng supplementation on muscle damage and inflammation after uphill treadmill running in humans. Am J Chin Med. 2011;39(3):441-50
Cabral, de, Perez, A., Merino, G., Prieto, J. and Alvarez, A. (2001) ‘Protective effects of Panax ginseng on muscle injury and inflammation after eccentric exercise’, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP., 130(3), pp. 369–77.
Cabral, de, Perez, A., Merino, G., Prieto, J. and Alvarez, A. (2001) ‘Protective effects of Panax ginseng on muscle injury and inflammation after eccentric exercise’, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP., 130(3), pp. 369–77.
