No amount of medicines can cure high blood pressure but it can get rid of the symptoms as well as restore the normal blood pressure level. This is the same with herbs when taken as a medication especially when treating high blood pressure.

One of the oldest known herbs that is used in treating high blood pressure is ginseng. Ginseng acts as a modern tranquilizer by reducing stress related anxiety. Unlike traditional medicines whose effectiveness is immediately felt, it will take about two to three weeks for ginseng to work. This is what they call as the monitoring stage to determine whether the herb is suitable for you.

Based on Asian medical writings, ginseng has been used for more than one thousand years to neutralize stress and develop good health. While there is not enough scientific proof yet to prove its medicinal properties, its widespread use is merely the basis that there are benefits derived by its user.

Chinese medical herbalists consider Ginseng as an adaptogen. Adaptogens, are natural herbs that heighten the resistance of the body to eliminate fatigue, anxiety, trauma and stress. The medicinal properties may not be adaptable to the standard classification of Western medicines.

Further, according to Chinese herbalist physicians, ginseng is specifically effective as treatment to an over-stressed person. Hence, in this complex, competitive and fast-paced environment that we are living in, this might be the cure for a stress free society.

When ginseng was substantiated regarding its medicinal contents, clinical studies revealed that it has many active ingredients called genesides. The studies were not able to identify whether the particular geneside (something to do with the state of mind) is the potent ingredient or the ginseng itself.

Nevertheless, ginseng was proven to have the following physiological properties:

1. The ability to lower the blood pressure.

2. The improvement of spur of the moment reaction regarding sight and sound.

3. Enhancement of oxygen utilization during physical exercise as well as the reduction of heart beats.

4. The elevation of work output due to avoidance of fatigue.

5. Improvement of personality together with the outlook in life.

Based on the physiological properties, adaptogen may be described in Western medicine as the ability of ginseng to adapt to the requirements of the user. Initially, the traditional use of ginseng may not be adaptable to the fast pace of the Western culture.

In order to conform, ginseng in capsules, pills and candies were produced to compensate for the Western requirements. The transition from the traditional to commercial type lacks any proof that it still contains the same effectiveness as the old usage. The experience of the user will still be the best guide if improvement was manifested. 

The traditional use of ginseng is by drinking it as tea. Since it will be from three weeks to three months to fully reap its effectiveness, it is better to initially drink in small doses then gradually increase it.