Maybe a cold, So I took some Ginseng Extract. What does it do?

[uberman]

I haven't had a flu or a cold for 2 years. I'm feeling a bit rundown. This could be the change in the weather, cold at night, having to blow my nose. Last night I was shopping at my local asian market.

I bought a 10 cc vial of Panax Ginseng Extract, imported from China. It's contents state it contains,"water, extract, distilled water, honey." I drank it and chased it with water. I'm unsure of any healing properties this mix might have. I'm just desperate and trying to fight off a cold or whatever.

What does this stuff do? Is it a cure-all or what? If I paid $.50 for a vial, is a box of 50 real cheap, because I shop in Chinatown a lot? Thanks.

 

[BrownTown]

nothing

 

[LS20]

lets you play like scottie pippen

 

[vi edit]

Most homeopathics are a joke. The only way they are even measurably effective is if you grow/harvest them yourself and you know what you are getting.

Otherwise you are buying into the wild west of voodoo medicine where my urine probaly has more ginseng and healing properties in it than your paid for extract does.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Isn't ginseng known to be more of an aphrodisiac than a cure-all?

 

[djheater]

Ginseng is considered "good for what ails you" but it has not western analog, for its beneficial effects. You might feel slightly warmer and more enrgetic after taking it.

The Eastern though AFAIK is that sickness is a manifestation of to much Yang and the 'warming' properties of ginseng counteract that.

Since you're not into all that, I'd suggest Airborne (effervescent Vitamin C) and some zinc tablets (since you're desperate).

These will likely have a better outcome than ginseng 'vials' from Chinatown that you don't really trust to begin with.

 

[Balt]

Vitamin C, a lot of liquids, and rest. Let your immune system do the rest.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: Balt
Vitamin C, a lot of liquids, and rest. Let your immune system do the rest.

Seconded. I'm just getting over a stomach virus right now, and let me tell you it hasn't been fun. I'm finally feeling better after...well...pretty much what Balt listed above

 

[uberman]

Thanks people. You just don't know what to do if you feel a cold coming on so I'd give anything a shot.

Thanks djheater for your info on ginseng. I do put value in Chinese folk medicine or other folk medicine. My gripe is with the companies that are making a fortune selling questionable drugs through nutrition centers in the USA. That's what I believe is wrong.

 

[Auryg]

Zinc. Lots of zinc. Zicam works, so do other forms of it..though I think you can't take zinc pills?

It really helps.

 

[akubi]

Originally posted by: LS20
lets you play like scottie pippen

rofl

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: akubi

Originally posted by: LS20
lets you play like scottie pippen

rofl

Someone said it was an aphrodiasiac so I'm hoping to play like John Holmes rather than Scottie Pippen.

 

[SketchMaster]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: Balt
Vitamin C, a lot of liquids, and rest. Let your immune system do the rest.

Seconded. I'm just getting over a stomach virus right now, and let me tell you it hasn't been fun. I'm finally feeling better after...well...pretty much what Balt listed above

Thirded.

Go to the store and buy some stuff called "Emergen'c" 1,000mg of Vitamin C in a packet that you mix with water and drink. Drink it three times a day and you will be over your cold in no time.

It's also great for hangovers. Mix two packets in a tall glass of water and drink before to keep the hangover at bay or after to help get rid of it.

 

[newnameman]

Take some Cold-EEZE®.