Ginseng is one of the most popular herbal medicines in the world and has been used in Asia and North America for centuries.
Indigenous Americans have used ginseng roots as a stimulant and headache treatment, as well as used for infertility, fever and indigestion. Today, only 6 million Americans regularly use ginseng.
Ginseng is used to increase thought, concentration, memory and physical endurance.
It can also help with depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue. It is also known that increases immune system, fights infections and helps men with erectile dysfunction.
What is Ginseng?
There are 11 types of Ginseng, all of which belong to Panax family of Araliaceae. Panax botanical name means “full healing” in Greek. The “Ginseng” name and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng).
The actual ginseng plant belongs to Panax species, so other species, such as Siberian ginseng, have different functions as a separator.
The unique and useful compounds of Panax species are called ginsenoside and are currently conducting clinical research to investigate potential of medical use.
Both Asian and American ginseng contains ginsenosides, but different species contain different amounts.
Research has varied and some experts have not yet been convinced that there is enough data to indicate medical characteristics of ginseng, but for centuries people have believed in beneficial compounds and results.
Ginseng and Ginseng Tea Nutritional Content
American ginseng, is about to become extinct in the wilderness, so is grown on farms to protect from harvesting. This plants has a circular growing leaves around root of plant.
Flowers are form of yellow and green umbrellas. They grow in center of plant and produce red fruits. Ginseng is more valuable as grows and is more expensive, because benefits of ginseng are found in older roots.
It is contains a variety of pharmacological components, including tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins (ginsenosides), polyacetylenes, polyphenolic compounds, and acidic polysaccharides.
✔ Reduces Stress and Gives Energy
In a controlled study conducted at UK Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Center, three types of ginseng and placebo treatment were performed with 30 volunteers. The study was done to gather data on ginseng’s mental state and ability to improve mental function.
It, who took 200 milligrams for eight days, was found to slow down mental decline but also slowed participants ‘ reaction to mental arrhythmia. With a dose of 400 milligrams, eight-day treatment provided improvement in mental arithmetic.
Another study at pharmacology department at Central Drug Research Institute found that Panax ginseng tested effects of tea on chronic stress-induced rats and found that it could be used to treat stress-induced disorders with important anti-stress properties.
By drinking this tea, you can reduce chronic stress and get rid of adrenal fatigue. Also ginseng tea can be used as an excellent ulcer treatment.
✔ improves Brain Function
This tea stimulates brain cells and improves concentration and cognitive activity. Evidence shows that taking Panax ginseng root daily for 12 weeks can improve mental performance in people with Alzheimer’s disease. In a study conducted in the Department of Neurology at the Institute for Clinical
Research in South Korea, efficacy of ginseng Alzheimer’s disease on cognitive performance was investigated.
After ginseng treatment, participants showed improvement, and this improvement continued for three months.
After ginseng stopped treatment, improvements regressed to control group levels.
This suggests that drinking ginseng and regular ginsengs tea works as a natural treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Although further research is required, a preliminary study found that combination of American ginseng and ginkgo biloba naturally helps to remove attention deficit and hyperactive disorder.
✔ Contains Anti-Inflammatory Properties
An interesting study in Korea found that red ginsengs had beneficial effects on children after chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation for advanced cancer. The study examined 19 patients who received 60 milligrams of red ginseng each day for a year.
Once every 6 months, blood samples have been collected and as a result of treatment, cytokines or small proteins that signal brain and regulate cell growth have rapidly decreased, making a better difference from control group.
This study suggests that inflammatory cytokines in children with cancer after red ginseng chemotherapy have a stabilizing effect.
A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine on rats measured effect of red ginseng on inflammatory cytokines.
After giving rats 100 milligrams of red ginseng extract for seven days, ginseng significantly reduced level of inflammation and began correcting damage that occurred in brain before.
Another animal study measured anti-inflammatory benefits of ginseng tea. Red ginseng was tested for anti-allergic properties in 40 mice with allergic rhinitis (commonly seen in children and adults).
The most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are congestion, nasal itching and sneezing. At the end of study, red ginseng reduced allergic inflammation reaction of nose in mice. (Source)
✔ Helps Lose Weigh
Another surprising benefit of ginseng is its ability to work as a natural appetite suppressant. It also accelerates your metabolism and helps your body burn fat faster.
A study at Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research in Chicago, Panax ginseng measured effects of anti-diabetic and anti-obesity in adult mice. Mice were injected with 150 milligrams of ginseng extract per kilogram of body weight for 12 days.
On fifth day, fasting blood glucose levels of ginsengs using mice were significantly lower. After 12 days, glucose tolerance increased in mice and total blood glucose levels decreased by 53 percent.
A similar study in 2009 found that Panax ginsengs plays a vital role in improving obesity and related metabolic syndromes in mice with ginseng. (Source)
✔ improves Sexual Function
It is seen that drinking this tea or taking supplements improves sexual arousal and treats erectile dysfunction in men.
In a systematic review of 2008, 28 clinical studies evaluating effect of red ginseng on treatment of erectile dysfunction have provided information on importance of ginseng use.
Six of 28 studies evaluated, after use of ginseng with penis control erectile function developed reported. Four studies reported that red ginseng was more effective than other supplements for sexual function.
Research conducted in the Department of Physiology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 2002 shows that ginsengs ginsenoside components directly facilitate penile erection. Nitric oxide release from endothelial cells and perivascular nerves directly affects erectile tissue.
University research also shows that ginseng affects central nervous system and significantly changes brain activity that facilitates hormonal behaviour. (Source)
