西洋参
American Ginseng
从前，美国西洋参价值连城！18 世纪，具有企业家精神的耶稣会传教士在北美大量种植西洋参，并将其出口至中国，获取惊人的利润。当时人们对它的了解很少，只有美国本地人会用它来治疗恶心和呕吐。
American ginseng (Panacis quinquefolis) root was once worth its weight in gold. Entrepreneurial Jesuit missionaries cultivated and exported the herb from North America to China in large amounts during the 18th century, selling it for an extraordinary profit. At that time, little was known about American ginseng except that Native Americans were using it to treat nausea and vomiting.
西洋参最初被视为高价值的中药，其营养价值逐渐得到科学验证，慢慢为人们所信任。它含有纤维、铁、镁、钾、锌、维生素C、维生素 B 群，及其他较为稀有的营养如人参皂苷。
Initially viewed as a highly prized traditional medicine, the nutritional value of American ginseng root is gradually finding scientific explanation and credibility. It is packed with fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, B vitamins, and other less common nutrients such as ginsenosides.
人参皂苷
Ginsenosides
人参皂苷是一类只存在于人参中的植物营养素，也是人参中最活跃的成分。不同种类的人参皂苷虽然分子结构相似，但是功能却不同。每种人参含有不同数量和种类的人参皂苷。例如：Rf 存在于亚洲人参却不存在于西洋参；西洋参比亚洲人参含有更多的 Rb1。有的人参皂苷看起来似乎没有功效，但是它可以帮助人体吸收有功效的人参皂苷。
Ginsenosides are a group of phytochemicals that are present only in ginseng. They are the most active components of ginseng, and although they have similar molecular structures, they have different functions. The amounts and types of ginsenosides in each type of ginseng vary. For example, ginsenoside Rf is present in Asian ginseng but not in American ginseng, and American ginseng has more Rb1 than Asian ginseng. It is possible that ginsenosides that appear to have no function help to make "active" ginsenosides easier for the body to absorb.
西洋参萃取物含有超过 30 种人参皂苷，包括 Rb1，R2，Rb3， Rc，Rd，Re，Rg1，Rg2，Ro 和 F2，而 Rb1 和 Re 构成了西洋参中超过 75% 的人参皂苷总量。Rb1 是一种抗氧化剂，可以预防溃疡，帮助人体对抗压力，并可提高学习效率。Rb1 也可促进神经的再生。
American ginseng extract contains more than 30 ginsenosides, including Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg1, Rg2, Ro, and F2. Of these, Rb1 and Re make up more than 75% of the total ginsenoside content in American ginseng. Rb1 is an antioxidant that can prevent ulcers, help the body to cope with stress, and increase rates of learning. It also enhances nerve regeneration.
Rb1、Rg1 和 Rh1 还可以在人体中发挥类似弱的植物性雌激素的作用。植物性雌激素是刺激健康细胞生长、抑制肿瘤发展的植物荷尔蒙。它吸附在人体雌激素通常吸附的细胞上，无副作用地模仿行使人类雌激素的功能。因此，西洋参常常被建议用来舒缓更年期症状。
In addition, Rb1, Rg1, and Rh1 act as weak phytoestrogens in the body. Phytoestrogens are plant hormones that encourage healthy cell growth while inhibiting tumor growth. By binding to cells where human estrogen typically binds, phytoestrogens mimic the positive roles of human estrogen without harmful side effects. Hence, American ginseng has often been recommended for relieving menopausal symptoms.
Rb1 可以抑制中枢神经系统，而 Rg1 则可以刺激中枢神经系统。这种相对功能的组合使西洋参可以像调理素一样，使身体功能 “正常化”，达到平衡状态。
Rb1 suppresses and Rg1 stimulates the central nervous system. Such combinations of opposing functions within this wonder herb contribute to American ginseng's use as an adaptogen that normalizes bodily functions to balanced states.
帮助人体达到平衡的调理素
Adopt Balance with This Adaptogen
感到压力重重时，就是身体需要西洋参帮助的时候。它是一种著名的调理素—— 一种可以帮助身体适应压力状况、改变体温、驱除疲劳的草本植物。它可以在身体疲乏时补充精力，在面对压力时镇定情绪。西洋参中的物质透过调节人体压力荷尔蒙的产生和保护海马体 (脑的一部分) 免受压力荷尔蒙的伤害，大量减少压力反应。
American ginseng may be what the body needs when it is under stress. It is well known as an adaptogen — an herb that helps the body adapt to stressful conditions, changing temperatures, and fatigue. It can energize when the body experiences tiredness and tranquilize when the body is under stress. By regulating the body's production of stress hormones and protecting the brain's hippocampus from the effects of stress hormones, the substances in American ginseng greatly reduce stress reactions.
已有相关的研究证实了西洋参的调理功能。在一项研究中，为了解决由癌症引发的疲劳问题，研究人员对 282 名食用不同剂量西洋参的癌症病人进行了观察研究。8 周后，每天服食 1,000 或 2,000 毫克西洋参的病人疲劳状况得到舒缓。
The adaptogenic property of American ginseng has been duly proven. In the search for a solution to the common problem of cancer-related fatigue, researchers observed 282 cancer patients who took different amounts of American ginseng over eight weeks. Patients who took 1,000 or 2,000 mg of American ginseng daily were reported to experience relief from fatigue.
令人赞叹的免疫強化功能
Wondrous Immunity-building Properties
西洋参不只是一种补充精力的草本植物。它可以透过多种方式强化免疫系统，其有效成分多酶体 — 一种长链醣，可以帮助平衡免疫系统、摧毀存在的癌细胞和病毒。
American ginseng is not just an energy herb. It also helps to strengthen the immune system in a variety of ways, one of which results from its polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are long chains of sugars that help balance the immune system and enable it to destroy existing cancer cells and viruses.
一项研究指出，西洋参中的多醣体可以刺激巨噬细胞 (多工免疫细胞) 分泌一种召唤免疫细胞对抗细菌和病毒的细胞活素。西洋参也能够刺激身体产生对抗病毒的免疫化学物质 一 肿瘤坏死因子，从而强化免疫力。
A study reported that polysaccharides in American ginseng may stimulate multitasking immune cells called macrophages to secrete cytokines, chemicals that summon immune cells to deal with bacteria and viruses. American ginseng also builds immunity by stimulating the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), an immune chemical used in fighting viruses.
对于很容易感冒的人，西洋参就像是一门福音。研究者发现食用适量富含聚乙烯 - 呋喃棚 - 吡喃型糖 - 醣类 (Poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharide) 的西洋参根部萃取物 4 个月后，可以减少罹患感冒的次数、减轻感冒症状和减少感冒天数，并预防呼吸道感染。西洋参也具有潜在的预防乳癌和卵巢癌的作用。
American ginseng may be good news for people prone to colds. Researchers discovered that consuming a poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharide-rich American ginseng root extract in a moderate dose over four months reduces the number of colds, the severity of colds, and the number of days they last, possibly preventing respiratory tract infections. Studies also show American ginseng to have potential protective effects against breast and ovarian cancers.
具有抗氧化功效的完美植物
Completing the Package with Antioxidants
西洋参的抗氧化功能远远超越亚洲人参。西洋参具有的自由基清除功能可以减少低密度脂蛋白胆固醇 (LDL) 被氧化，而低密度脂蛋白胆固醇经氧化后可能引发动脉硬化，进而导致心脏病。西洋参的抗氧化作用也能够降低自由基对身体某些组织的伤害，从而延缓老化。
There is more antioxidant activity in American ginseng than in Asian ginseng. The free-radical scavenging activity of American ginseng can reduce oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), otherwise known as bad cholesterol. LDL that has gone through oxidation contributes to atherosclerosis, which may cause heart attacks. The antioxidant property of American ginseng can also slow down aging because its antioxidants reduce free radical damage in some tissues.
西洋参还有更多的益处有待发掘。长期以来，亚洲人参的营养价值备受瞩目，但人们却忽略了西洋参这种充满神奇力量的植物性食物。含有抗氧化剂、植物营养素和多醣体的西洋参，更有助于养护身体、呵护健康。西洋参是营养免疫学家所梦想的完美植物性食物！
There is still a lot more research to do on American ginseng. This powerful plant food has long been overshadowed by Asian ginseng. However, with a perfect package of antioxidants, phytochemicals, and polysaccharides, American ginseng is becoming more promising for achieving and maintaining good health — a Nutritional Immunologist's dream!
资料来源：营养 免疫 长寿，免疫学家陈昭妃著
Source: Nutrition Immunity Longevity, Jau-Fei Chen, PhD, Immunologist