By Stephen A. Levine, Ph.D
The element germanium (Ge) atomic number 32, atomic weight 72.6, tends to pack into a lattice-like structure and displays the electrical conductivity of a semimetal. Since the elements of similar atomic number are biologically-essential trace elements (e.g. selenium), one might anticipate that germanium plays a role in human biochemistry. Germanium occurs in coal deposits, apparently having accumulated to levels as high as 10 ppm from the remains of once-living organisms (1). In its appearance germanium is like a metal, though technically it is classified as a semimetal. Chemically it resembles silicon at high temperatures and tends to be noncon-ductive at low temperatures. In the 50’s and 60’s a number of researchers (2-8) investigated the biological activity of germanium and its occurrence in biomaterials; it then became generally accepted that germanium had little biological significance. However, more recent reports by Dr. K. Asai that it occurs in high concentrations in certain medicinal plants, and that a synthetic derivative appears to have significant clinical efficacy, have reopened the question of its biological essentiality (1). The research and clinical work of Dr. Asai is summarized in his book Miracle Cure: Organic Germanium (1). Dr. Asai reports that the concentrations of germanium in foods and other biomaterials range from .1 to 1 ppm, corresponding to .1 to 1 microgram of germanium per gram of food material. He also finds that some medicinal plants contain large amounts of germanium, e.g., about 300 ppm for Ginseng radix. Dr. Asai reported that the levels of germanium in medicinal plants range as high as 2000 ppm (roughly 1000 milligrams per pound). These findings by Dr. Asai sparked considerable renewed interest in the nutritional and pharmacological effects of germanium. Dr. Asai‘s determinations of the germanium content of medicinal plants are summarized below: Shelf fungus (Trametes 800-2000 ppm cinnabarina Fr.) Note 1 Ginseng (from Shimane Prefecture, 250ppm Japan) Ginseng (from Shinano district, 320ppm Japan) Sanzukon (Codonopsis Tangshen) 257ppm Sushi (Angelicapubescens Maxim.) 262 ppm Waternut (Trapa japonica Flerov) 239 ppm Boxthorn seed (Lycium Chinese 124ppm mill) Wisteria knob (gall) (Wisteria 108 ppm floribunda) Pearl barley (Coicis Semen) 50 ppm Gromwell (Lithosemi Radix/ 88 ppm Lithospermum officinale) Asai concluded that the germanium content of these and other medicinal herbs may be responsible (at least in part) for their therapeutic value (1, 22). Other plants generally regarded as conducive to good health also contained fairly large quantities of germanium (1): Garlic 754 ppm Comfrey 152 ppm Aloe 77 ppm Chlorella 76ppm.
Organic Germanium in Treatment of Human Disease:
The clinical trials at Dr. Asai‘s Organic Germanium Clinic in Japan produced results that were impressive, even though they were not controlled studies. Under medical supervision, numerous case histories along with standard blood chemistry parameters were assessed from patients with a broad-ranging spectrum of symptomatologies. These subjects were treated with Dr. Asai‘s Organic Germanium at dosages ranging from as low as 50 mg to as high as 1000 mg per day. Liver dysfunctions, hepatitis, and various cancers (including leukemias) were just a few of the difficult diseases that responded well to Organic Germanium (1). Diseases of the eye, including cataracts, often responded quickly and dramatically. Organic Germanium produced excellent results when given to hypertensive patients, and proved surprisingly effective at normalizing blood pressure in SHR (spontaneously hypertensive rats) (11). Heart disease, including myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, and Raynaud’s Disease responded well to dosages as high as 1400 mg per day (1). Astonishing benefits were reported against mercury, cadmium, and other metal poisons. Read more …