Ginseng 8 Marvellous Health Benefits & Surprising Facts

Ginseng is a short, slow-growing plant with fleshy roots. Ginseng is believed to restore and enhance wellbeing and It is one of the most popular herbal remedies. 

Ginseng is prized in the Orient for its purported curative properties. Based on an ancient Chinese legend, early emperors proclaimed it a panacea to be ingested or used in lotions and soaps. The genus name, Panax, is derived from the Greek "panakeia," which means universal remedy. The term "ginseng" is obtained from the Chinese term "Jen-Shen," which means "in the image of a man." Ginseng roots shaped like the human body are considered highly desirable. 

Panax ginseng was discovered over 5000 years ago in the mountains of Manchuria, China. Although probably originally used as food and it quickly became admired for its strength-giving and rejuvenating powers and its human shape became a powerful symbol of divine harmony on earth. 

By the 1900s, the demand for ginseng outstripped the available wild supply and Korea began the commercial cultivation of ginseng which continues to this day. 

Botanical Name: Panax Ginseng 

The herbs consist of a light-colored, forked-shaped root, a relatively long stalk and green leaves with an oval shape. 

Both American ginseng and Asian ginseng are believed to boost energy, reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce stress, promote relaxation, treat diabetes and manage sexual dysfunction in men. There are many types of this herb, but the most popular are American ginseng and Asian ginseng. 

Ginseng contains two significant compounds: ginsenosides and gintonin. These compounds complement one another to provide health benefits. 

American ginseng is known for its stimulant properties and is highly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Native Americans have used it as a headache reliever and treatment for fever and indigestion. It has been known to be effective for boosting mood, immunity, and cognition. Many studies have suggested that ginseng may protect against cancer. 

There are many different types of ginseng (American, Red, Indian, and others), American ginseng being a very popular one. 

Ginseng may help actuate physical and mental activity in people who feel weak and tired. One study revealed that ginseng showed good results in fighting cancer patients with fatigue. 

However, the energy-boosting effects of ginseng were only seen in people currently undergoing treatment. Ginseng did not show statistically significant improvements in people who had already finished cancer treatment. 

MAIN THING: Ginseng work as an energy boosting herb and keep away fatigue and weakness. 

Ginseng is helpful in reducing the risk of certain cancers.

Ginsenosides in this herb have been shown to bits of help reduce inflammation and provide antioxidant protection. 

The cell cycle is the process by which cells normally grow and divide. 

A review of several studies concluded that people who take ginseng may have a 16% lower risk of developing cancer. 

Moreover, taking ginseng could be less likely to develop certain types of cancer, such as lip, mouth, Oesophagus, stomach, colon, liver and lung cancer, than those who do not take it. 

Ginseng may also help to improve the health of patients undergoing chemotherapy, reduce side effects and enhance the effect of some treatment drugs. 

MAIN THING: Ginsenosides in ginseng seem to regulate inflammation, provide antioxidant protection and maintain the health of cells, which could help decrease the risk of certain kinds of cancer. 

Different studies suggest that ginseng may help to lower blood sugar and help treat diabetes. Ginsenosides may affect on insulin production in the pancreas and improve insulin resistance using other mechanisms. 

Other clinical studies and standardization of ginseng root are needed to consider ginseng as a possible complementary therapy for diabetes. 

MAIN THING: Ginseng, particularly fermented red ginseng, may help increase insulin production, enhance blood sugar uptake in cells and provide antioxidant protection. 

Ginseng may improve thinking processes and cognition. 

One study says that ginseng seems to demonstrate benefits for cognition, behavior, and quality of life. It is possible that ginseng helps the uptake of blood sugar by cells, which could have improved performance and reduced mental fatigue. Yet it is not clear why the lower dose was more effective than the higher one. 

Another study found that taking 400 mg of Panax ginseng daily for eight days improved calmness and math skills. 

Other studies found positive effects on brain function and behavior in people with Alzheimer's disease. 

MAIN THING: Ginseng has been shown to benefit mental functions, feelings of calmness and mood in both healthy people and those with Alzheimer's disease. 

Ginsenosides found in ginseng that may have anti-inflammatory effects. 

Ginseng is often used to reduce inflammation. Different researchers suggest that ginsenosides may be responsible for targeting pathways in the immune system that could reduce inflammation. 

Ginseng has been shown to help to reduce inflammatory markers and help protect against oxidative stress. 

MAIN THING: Ginseng boost up immunity and protects against many infections. 

Ginseng useful alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.

It may protect against oxidative stress in blood vessels and tissues in the penis and help restore normal function. 

Additionally, studies have shown that ginseng may promote the production of nitric oxide, a compound that improves muscle relaxation in the penis and increases blood circulation and other study found that men treated with Korean red ginseng had a 60% improvement in ED symptoms, compared to 30% improvement produced by a medication used to treat ED. 

MAIN THING: Ginseng may improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction by decreasing oxidative stress in tissues and enhancing blood flow in penile muscles. 

In aged, fermented red ginseng improved insulin sensitivity relative to reduced body weight 

Ginseng reduced triglyceride and free fatty acids levels. It also prevented adipose inflammation, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. 

Chinese ginseng had decreased fat cell production and had reduced body fat mass gain, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. 

Ginseng therapy was associated with increased psychological performance and mood, and decreased body weight and fasting blood glucose in patients with newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes 

MAIN THING: Ginseng work as a dietician and helps in reducing weight and maintain our body weight. 

Some research suggests that taking a specific American ginseng extract during flu season might prevent cold or flu symptoms in adults between the ages of 18 and 65. People older than 65 seem to need a flu shot at month 2 along with this treatment in order to decrease their risk of getting the flu.

This extract also seems to help to make symptoms milder and last a shorter length of time when infections do occur. Some evidence suggests that the extract might not reduce the chance of getting the first cold of a season, but it seems to reduce the risk of getting repeated colds in a season. However, it might not help to prevent cold or flu-like symptoms in patients with weakened immune systems. 

MAIN THING: Ginseng helps to prevent seasonal cold or flu-like symptoms. 

Menopausal symptoms: Early research suggests that taking a product containing American ginseng, twice daily for 3 months reduces menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep quality. However, it's not clear if these effects are caused by American ginseng or the other ingredients in the product. 

Schizophrenia: Early research shows that American ginseng might improve some mental symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Taking 100 mg of a specific American ginseng extract twice daily for 4 weeks improves the patient’s ability to hold visual information in the mind short-term. This treatment might also reduce some physical side effects of antipsychotic drugs. However, it does not improve other mental symptoms. 

Panax ginseng is Safe when applied to the skin as part of a multi-ingredient product (SS Cream), in the short-term. 

Panax ginseng is Unsafe when taken by mouth, long-term (more than 6 months). The most common side effect is trouble sleeping (insomnia). Less commonly, people experience menstrual problems, breast pain, increased heart rate, high or low blood pressure, headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, itching, rash, dizziness, mood changes, vaginal bleeding, and other side effects. 

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Panax ginseng is Unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. Breast-feeding. No information. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. 

Infants and children: Panax ginseng is Unsafe in infants and children. 

Auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Don't use Panax ginseng if you have any auto-immune condition. 

Bleeding conditions: Don't use Panax ginseng if you have a bleeding condition. 

Heart conditions: Use Panax ginseng with caution if you have heart disease. 

Diabetes: Monitor your blood sugar closely if you have diabetes and use Panax ginseng. 

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroid: Don't use Panax ginseng. 

Trouble sleeping (insomnia): Use Panax ginseng with caution. 

Organ transplant: Don't use Panax ginseng. 

Schizophrenia (a mental disorder): Be careful when using Panax ginseng if you have schizophrenia. 

PANAX GINSENG is Moderate Interaction with Alcohol, Caffeine, Furosemide (Lasix), Insulin, Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates), Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts, Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetic drugs), Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants), Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) and Warfarin (Coumadin). 

Raw, fresh rhizomes can only be available near the vicinity of growers during the harvesting times. In the overseas markets, dry roots in vacuum packs, and powder can readily be found all around the year. White ginseng (bai shen) is produced by drying the just harvested root in the sun, while the red ginseng (hongs hen or Korean red ginseng) is steamed after harvest and then sun-dried. 

At home, dried ginseng root can be stored for several months preserved inside a dry jar. Kept in a cool place away from sunlight and humidity. Its powder can be stored inside the refrigerator for a couple of months.