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Page 53
For men, ginkgo is of special interest because it has been shown to cure impotence caused by blocked arteries. In one study, 50 patients with arterial erectile impotence were treated with 240 mg of ginkgo extract daily and all reported significantly improved erections; in another, 60 men who did not respond to injections of the erection-boosting drug papaverine took 60 mg of ginkgo extract daily and half regained potency within six months.
Ginseng (Panax Ginseng, P. Quinquefolius, Eleutherococcus Senticosus)
Ginseng, an unassuming leafy plant that's both hard to grow and expensive, is the world's most researched medicinal herb. Since the 17th century it has been the subject of thousands of books and papers, but the result of this international investigation has done little to reduce the controversy surrounding ginseng.
There are several ginseng species, but only three are widely used: Panax ginseng, also called Korean ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng, and Eleutherococcus senticosus, or Siberian ginseng. Research shows their effects are similar, though experts disagree on their potency and application. All of the ginsengs are adaptogens, a classification of herb with broad health benefits similar to a tonic. Adaptogens help boost the immune system, improve stamina and endurance, correct imbalances and reduce stress.
Ginseng has been shown to prevent the depletion of adrenal hormones, reduce cholesterol while increasing high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), reduce blood clotting, thus reducing the risk of heart attack, reduce blood sugar levels, thus helping control diabe-

 
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