A review of three ancient Chinese herbs, goji berry, ginger and ginseng in pharmacological and modern science

Abstract

Goji berry, Ginger and Ginseng are ancient Chinese herbs which have been used for thousand years as Traditional Chinese Medicine in China and other Asian countries as foods to promote good health and as drugs to treat disease. The keywords of Goji berry, ginger, ginseng, traditional Chinese medicine were searched in Google Scholar, Scopus, Research Gate and PubMed. The most important Goji pharmacological usages are improving function, enhances the bodys ability to adapt to a variety of noxious stimuli; it significantly inhibits the generation and spread of cancer cells and can improve eyesight and increase reserves of muscle glycogen and liver glycogen which may increase human energy and has anti-fatigue effect. Ginger has been widely used for arthritis, cramps, sprains, sore throats, rheumatism, muscular aches, pains, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, hypertension, dementia, fever and infectious diseases. Several pharmacological activities have been reported for ginseng extracts including effects on the central nervous system; antipsychotic action; tranquilizing effects; protection from stress ulcers; increase of gastrointestinal motility; endocrinological effects; enhancement of sexual behaviour; or synthesis of carbohydrates, lipids, RNA, and proteins. These versatile medicinal plants are unique sources of various types of chemical compounds which are responsible of the various activities of the plant. Traditional medicinal plants are cheaper, locally available and easily consumed as medicinal preparations and of course they are organic.