Health Benefits of Ginseng

Ginseng is probably the most famous Chinese herb and has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.

There are several species of ginseng, including Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), Chinese or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and Japanese ginseng (Panax japonicum). The most widely used are Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).

All forms of ginseng are often used to battle fatigue and increase energy levels thus ginseng is usually regarded as a general tonic. It is usually used to improve focus, concentration, memory and physical endurance. It’s also used to help with depression, anxiety and as a natural treatment for chronic fatigue. It’s known to boost the immune system, fight infections and help men with erectile dysfunction.

Ginseng can be divided in to:

• Fresh ginseng – which is harvested before 4 years,
• White ginseng – which is harvested between 4–6 years and is the dried root, and
• Red ginseng – which is harvested after 6 years and which is the steamed dry root

The active ingredients in American and Asian ginseng are known as ginsenosides, while those in Siberian ginseng are called eleutherosides. ¹

American and Asian ginseng vary in their concentration of active compounds and effects on the body; American ginseng works as a relaxing agent, whereas the Asian variety has an invigorating effect. ^{2, 3}

Health Benefits of Ginseng

The health benefits of ginseng include:

1. Overcome Tiredness and Fatigue and Increase Energy Levels

According to the European Medicines Agency’s Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) ginseng can be used for short-term treatment of fatigue, weakness and lack of vitality. ^{4, 5, 6, 7}

2. Improve Brain Function

Studies show that ginseng could help improve brain functions such as memory, behaviour and mood in people both with and without Alzheimer’s Ddisease.^{8, 9, 10, 11, 12}

Supplementing with 200 mg of Panax ginseng daily for four weeks improves mental health, mood and mental performance, but these benefits decrease after 8 weeks of continuous use. The studies therefore show that ginseng should only be taken for short term use when it is being taken to improve concentration and focus. ^{13, 14, 15}

3. Can Overcome Erectile Dysfunction and Boost Libido

Ginseng is used widely in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance sexual performance. Studies show that it may overcome erectile dysfunction as it increases the levels of nitric oxide in the blood. This dilates the blood vessels thus increasing the flow of blood in to the penis resulting in stronger erections. ^{16, 17, 18, 19}

Studies show that Korean red ginseng improves the symptoms of erectile dysfunction by 60%, compared to a 30% improvement produced by a medication used to treat ED. ²⁰

4. May Boost the Immune System

Ginseng boosts the immune system helping the body to fight infections and disease.

Studies have shown that ginseng improves the efficiency of immune system influencing various immune cells, including macrophages, natural killer cells, T cells and B cells. ^{21, 22, 23, 24}

5. Could Lower Blood Sugar

Ginseng seems to be beneficial in the control of blood glucose in both people with and without diabetes. ^{25, 26}

American and Asian ginseng improves pancreatic cell function, boosts insulin production and enhances the uptake of blood sugar in tissues. ^{27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32}

How much ginseng is safe to take?

How much you take depends on the condition you are taking it for. Daily doses of 1-2 grams of raw ginseng root or 200-400 mg of extract are suggested. It’s best to start with lower doses and increase over time. Always follow package recommendations for dosage information.

Search for American and Asian ginseng products which are standardized for 5-9% ginsenosides, or Siberian ginseng standardised for more than 1% eleutherosides.

Ginseng is available in many forms, including standardised powdered or liquid extract, capsules, granules, tablets tincture, or fresh root. Many multi-ingredient formulations are available which contain some ginseng as part of the formula; the levels are usually too low to have any therapeutic impact.

Ginseng root can be consumed in many ways. It can be eaten raw, slightly steamed to soften it or made in to a tea.

The extended use of ginseng can decrease its effectiveness in the body and so to maximise its benefits, it should be taken in 2-3-week cycles with a one or two week break in between.³³

When to Avoid Ginseng

The following groups should not take ginseng:

• children under 12
• pregnant or breastfeeding women e
• people with diabetes, as ginseng can affect with blood sugar levels

If you are taking any medication, first speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking ginseng.

Possible Side-Effects

Ginseng is considered safe to take but all forms of ginseng may cause the same types of side effects, including headache, insomnia, breast tenderness, anxiety, nausea, diarrhoea, and rash. More serious reactions may include asthma attacks, increased blood pressure, and heart palpitations.

As ginseng is a stimulant it should not be taken with other stimulants, such as caffeine. This combination can lead to palpitations and insomnia.

If you experience any of the symptoms above, stop taking ginseng and talk to your GP.

Possible Interactions

Ginseng may increase the effectiveness of insulin and drugs to lower blood-sugar levels and so diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels closely when using ginseng to ensure they do not go too low. In addition, ginseng may reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulant drugs.

If you are taking any medication, first speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking ginseng.