5 Surprising Ginseng Benefits
Ginseng is a popular supplement well known for its herbal properties and unique taste. Ginseng has many health benefits, which makes it a household name in Chinese traditional medicine and globally. Ginseng is noted to help enhance the immune system, sexual function, and energy. However, a lot of scientific findings are ongoing about the reported health benefit of Ginseng. Read on to learn about Ginseng's health benefits and how to enjoy Ginseng.
What is Ginseng?
Ginseng, commonly produced in China, has many varieties, all from the same root plant Panax Ginseng. Among the three well-known types include American Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, and Asian Ginseng.
Ginseng is the root of a flowering plant that produces bright red berries. The berries aren't usually eaten, but there is evidence they could be used in anti-aging and skincare.
Many people cultivate Ginseng due to its increased demand, and it takes about six years to grow large enough to be harvested. Although it can be eaten fresh, it isn't easy to find fresh Ginseng. Therefore, it is best to consume it in dried form (called white Ginseng) or steam dried for that reddish tint.
There is an agelong belief that red Ginseng should be warming and energizing while white Ginseng should be cooling. However, these claims have not been substantiated with any form of research.
Based on scientific research, read on to learn about some of the benefits attributed to Ginseng:
Fatigue Management
Fatigue is worrisome and is ranked as the seventh most frequent health complaint in the United States. A dose of Ginseng is believed to be a great way to combat fatigue and enhance one's energy all through the day. In addition, studies have shown that Ginseng can be used as a stimulant to treat moderate fatigue.
Another study examined the effects of Ginseng on cancer patient's fatigue. It was found that patients who took Ginseng had a more remarkable improvement in their fatigue and were happier with their doses than patients who received a placebo. This is a good indication that Ginseng may be able to help with fatigue.
Treatment for Diabetes
Due to North America's excessive sugar intake, high blood sugar and diabetes can be significant problems. Diabetes prevention and control are possible by lowering blood sugar. Blood glucose levels can be reduced by proper diet, exercise, and medication.
Natural tonics and dietary supplements are popular options for people who want to control their blood sugar. These effects have been proven by scientific research. For example, a study comparing Ginseng to placebo for blood sugar reduction in 10 patients found that Ginseng had a higher success rate in reducing blood glucose levels.
Numerous animal studies support the human studies that show a lower level of blood sugar after Ginseng is added. Although more research is needed to recommend Ginseng as an anti-diabetic medication officially, the results seem promising.
Erectile Dysfunction
While there are effective treatments for erectile problems, they are not without their flaws. These drugs are not safe long-term. Some men do not want to take these drugs and instead prefer natural remedies.
Ginseng could be a natural treatment for erectile dysfunction or poor sexual function. Double-blind research compared the efficacy and effectiveness of Ginseng to a placebo. It found that Ginseng was effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Patients were given 900 mg pills three times daily. A study of 60 men who have erectile dysfunction showed that 60% of those who took Ginseng experienced an improvement in their sex. In contrast, only 30% of those who received a placebo saw any improvement. Thus, Ginseng seems to work when it comes to improving sexual performance.
Therapy for Memory Improvement and Alzheimer
Ginseng's memory-enhancing potential is perhaps its most extraordinary claim to fame. But is science proving the hype?
A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involving 256 healthy volunteers of middle age was conducted to evaluate the effects of Ginseng and ginkgo Biloba on memory and mental performance. The average cognitive and memory improvement for volunteers was 7.5 percent. This is a significant memory improvement.
Researchers have discovered that Ginseng can improve memory and could be used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Researchers in Korea conducted a study where dementia- and Alzheimer's patients were given daily Ginseng doses for two years. The study results did not include a placebo, suggesting that ginseng treatment was safe and effective in halting the progression of Alzheimer's. This is something that conventional drugs are often unable to do.
Stress Management
Stress can cause changes in the body. This is because hormones are secreted by the body, leading to anxiety, depression, and other panic disorders. Ginseng may help us adapt to high stress and improve our bodies' ability to cope with adverse effects.
Ginseng is rich in powerful antioxidants called Ginsenosides. These have been shown to lower levels of harmful hormones and inflammation, and cognitive support function. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Ginseng can reduce stress by decreasing stress hormones such as cortisol. If you feel stressed, adding antioxidants like Ginseng to your diet is a brilliant idea.
Negative side effects
Although Ginseng has lots of health benefits, it could also cause side effects. Overuse of Ginseng can lead to some health issues such as vaginal bleeding, insomnia, and breast tenderness. It can also lead to hypertension, edema, and heart palpitations.
To avoid adverse side effects, start with the lowest recommended dosage for Ginseng. This will allow you to test your body and see how it reacts. Then, increase the dose if your body responds well before trying Ginseng if you have any pre-existing conditions or are currently taking medication.
Steps to Enjoy Ginseng
We have some preparation tips to help you convince yourself to give Ginseng another try. If you want to reap the health benefits of Ginseng, you can take ginseng supplements. It's also a popular ingredient.
Tea is the most popular way to consume Ginseng. Here's how it works:
Step 1: Get some ginseng powder
You can make tea from the root or powdered Ginseng. The powder is easier to find and is the best option. One teaspoon of ginseng powder can be added to a cup of hot water.
Step 2: Pour water into the cup
Add Ginseng to your cup and add any other flavors. For example, you can add honey, cinnamon sticks, or green tea. You should pour hot water, but not boiling, over the ginseng powder and ginseng root combination. Bring water to a boil, then let it sit for between 45-60 seconds.
Step 3: Steep for five minutes
If you love the bold taste of Ginseng, you can leave it to steep longer.
Step 4: Enjoy
To make more teas, you can use the same powder 2 to 3 times. After that, the roots will soften and be able to be consumed.
Try Out Ginseng Today!
Traditional Chinese medicine recommends that Ginseng be used for almost any illness, including colds and sweats, low energy, stress management, or colds. Ginseng has been used in East Asia as a health supplement for many centuries. Science is now supporting some of these claims. You should give Ginseng a shot to discover if it has any positive effects for you.
