Health Benefits Of Ginseng

Health Benefits Of Ginseng

Ginseng is the most famous Chinese herb. It is the most widely recognized plant used in traditional medicine. Various forms of ginseng have been used in medicine for more than 7000 years. Several species grow around the world, and though some are preferred for specific benefits, all are considered to have similar properties as an effective general rejuvenator.

Ginseng is a slow growing perennial herb (reaches about 2 feet tall) native to the mountainous area of north eastern China, Korea and far eastern regions of Russia. The older the root, the greater the concentration of ginsenosides, the active chemical compounds, thus the more potent the ginseng becomes. Ginseng roots can live longer than hundreds of years. Ginseng has been cultivated extensively in China, Korea, and Japan, and Russia. Ginseng starts flowering in fourth year, and the roots take 4-6 years to reach maturity. Ginseng is a protected herb in China and Russia: exporting ginseng seeds is banned in China, and harvesting wild ginseng is illegal in Russia. Natural white ginseng is often steam- processed to produce "red ginseng" with different, higher medicinal potency. 

There are different processes through which this tea is manufactured and which ultimately create either the red or white type of ginseng. For ginseng to be red, also known as Panax ginseng, Chinese or Korean ginseng, the root must be unpeeled and steamed before it is dried. White ginseng is air dried and may have fewer therapeutic benefits. 
 
Ginseng contains vitamins A, B-6 and the mineral Zinc, which aids in the production of thymic hormones, necessary for the functioning of the defense system. The main active ingredients of ginseng are the more than 25 saponin triterpenoid glycosides called "ginsenosides". These steroid-like ingredients provide the adaptogenic properties that enable ginseng to balance and counter the effects of stress. The glycosides appear to act on the adrenal glands, helping to prevent adrenal hypertrophy and excess corticosteroid production in response to physical, chemical or biological stress.

Benefits & Remedies

1. Eases Menstrual Pain: Ginseng tea, both the red and white varieties, are widely known for their calming effect. By relaxing the stomach area, the tea can help with the abdominal pain and bloating caused by menstruation.

2. Boosts Cognitive Alertness: Ginseng tea is widely used in energy drinks, to boost cognitive alertness. By increasing the body’s overall energy, it can help with mental acuity too. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that people taking ginseng demonstrate increased memory, better concentration and an improved ability to think abstractly.

3. Improves Digestion: Ginseng tea is also helpful in the digestion of food. It can ease bloating, constipation, flatulence, and anecdotally, it has been found to reduce the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease.

4. Lowers Cholesterol: Ginseng has saponins that stimulate the transport of cholesterol and the enzymes that are related to the metabolism of cholesterol. Saponins can reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood while keeping the good cholesterol, according to the National Institutes of Health.

5. Boosts Immune Health: Ginseng tea also assists in making the immune system stronger by boosting certain immune system cells and also the efficacy of its stress adaptors. In a study of patients with bronchitis, a congestive lung disease, ginseng enhanced the function of certain immune components in the bronchi.

6. Clears Respiratory System: Ginseng tea helps clear the air passageways and blocked sinuses. It can help with asthma patients, severe coughing and colds, chest ailments and pneumonia. 

7. May Help Prevent Cancer: The ginsenosides are said to be effective at preventing the growth of cancer cells in the body. Studies have found that ginseng may help to shrink tumors and prevent cancers of the stomach, ovaries, liver and lungs. In addition, ginseng may help with some of the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, so talk to your doctor or naturopathic doctor if you wish to use this as an alternative treatment.

8. Helps With Chronic Pain: Studies have revealed that ginseng has anti-inflammatory characteristics. Herbalists use the tea to help with conditions associated with inflammation, such as arthritis and other forms of chronic pain.

9. Increases Male Libido: Ginseng plant is widely known to be an aphrodisiac. It contains components that boost the output of nitric oxide in the male organs.  Nitric oxide can help in fighting erectile dysfunction. In studies conducted, men who previously had erectile dysfunction could have better erection scores and get sexual satisfaction after eight weeks of using ginseng.  Nitric oxide allows the blood to flow in the organ and relaxes the organ’s arteries.

10.Ginseng on Skin: Drinking ginseng tea is good for refining and rehydrating the skin effectively. It is also thought to promote skin cell regeneration by increasing oxygenation to skin cells. It also has the effect of boosting blood circulation as well as detoxifying the blood, which is very important to human skin health. Free of toxins, the skin can gain a better complexion and therefore better look

11. Ginseng for Hair Growth: The ginseng benefits for hair growth is an exciting part of the research being done using this well-known herb. In Osaka, Japan, there was a study that suggested that the Ginsenoside Ro carbohydrate was shown to help fight androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as balding, in men. It is thought that this could have widespread cosmetic implications and lead to future drug development for the prevention and regrowth of hair in men with natural herbal ginseng remedies.

12. Benefits Weight Loss: Ginseng does many things to help human health, but many people do not realize that ginseng is good for weight loss. It gives an energy boost and can help fight fatigue. Because of this, it allows for the person to be more active. One of the big things that it does in the weight loss battle is by regulating blood sugar. It does this by reducing the amount of carbohydrate that is converted into fat. Also, it is important to point out that ginseng alone will not help lose weight if the person engages in poor dietary choices. It is vital that a well balanced diet is followed and that the person is active.

13. Helps Stabilize Blood Sugar: Studies have found that the active compound Ginsenosides can help control blood sugar. Other studies have found it helps the pancreas function properly and increases the body’s response to insulin by stimulating the insulin receptors.

14. Alternative Cure for Radiation: Several studies have found that ginseng tea gives protection against radiation-induced DNA damage. It is widely used as a complimentary medicine for persons under-going radiation treatment.

Slows cell aging by boosting the blood supply, ginseng may help slow cell aging and mental degeneration, according to preliminary studies. However, more research is needed.

Ginseng comes in a range of forms including tablets, capsules, softgel, powder, extracts, teas, and creams. When choosing a ginseng supplement, look for one that is made with high quality ingredients, and that has been processed as little as possible. Ensure that the supplement has at least 7 percent ginsenosides. Start at the lower end of the dosage range and slowly increase your intake.