Ginseng’s Many Health Benefits
Ginseng is one of the most popular herbal remedies in the world; in the Far East, traditional medical practitioners have used ginseng to aid the body’s resistance to illness and promote wellbeing for thousands of years.
What is ginseng?
In its natural form, a slow-growing, leafy-stalked plant with a bulbous root (and a supplement in Kinetik’s Nanobite recipe!). While there are several varieties, the two most commonly associated with health and wellness are American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius, L.) and Asian ginseng (P. Ginseng), with the root of the plants predominantly used for medicine.
Rich in antioxidants, ginseng is sometimes referred to as an adaptogen–a natural substance that aids in the body coping with various stressors. However, unlike some other sources of antioxidants, ginseng is not found in foods aside from its plant form. It can be prepared several ways for oral consumption, such as in teas or tonics, or supplemented to food or drink. Your favorite energy drink may have ginseng as a highlighted ingredient. The active compounds, ginsenosides (or panaxosides), are thought to complement one another to provide our body with powerful health benefits. [1]
Healing with Ginseng
In the traditional uses, ginseng is used to improve mental function, boost immune response, keep energy levels up, and combat serious illnesses like cancer. While Western medicine is still learning about the many applications of the plant, research has shown promising results for the diverse benefits of ginseng to the human body. [2]
As an antioxidant, ginseng naturally combats oxidative stress and inflammation, two things that over time can lead to chronic illness or injury. Research in muscle damage in athletes or postmenopausal women suggest that ginseng may provide protection by increasing our antioxidant enzyme activity, making us more resilient to cellular damage. [1]
Ginseng also is an effective agent to boost mental function and energy levels. Some studies have suggested that ginsenosides protect the brain against damage caused by free radicals; others show strong connections between ginseng supplementation and improved memory, delayed cognitive decline, decreased stress, depression, or anxiety. Some cancer patients have reported lessened fatigue with ginseng. [1] Traditional Chinese medicine looks to ginseng tea for rejuvenating one’s stamina. As such, the plant has shown significant potential in the future treatment of mental health issues, Alzheimer’s or dementia. [2]
Similarly, more evidence is coming to light to show that ginseng helps the body’s immune response by staving off infection or disease. In one double-blind controlled study, participants who took 400mg of Asian ginseng daily had fewer colds, and when they did get sick, they had less severe symptoms than those who took the placebo. [3] Ginseng may also contain some potent anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties that, once better understood by science, could prove powerful enhancers for our body’s arsenal against illness.
The list doesn’t end there, though. Ginseng has also been used to lower blood sugar, treat erectile dysfunction, and symptoms associated with menopause. More research is needed to confirm exactly what benefits ginseng holds for the human body and exactly how they function. What is known is that, for adults, supplementary doses of ginseng are safe for most people with minimal side effects.
From energy to anti-inflammation, ginseng has thousands of years of medical uses and benefits behind it. We’re leaning into the protective, mind-boosting properties of this miraculous little root by fortifying our own scientific recipe with an herbal remedy almost as old as history itself.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is provided for general information and educational purposes only. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.
References:
[1] Semeco, Arlene, MD, RS. “Seven Proven Health Benefits of Ginseng” Healthline. October 2022.
[2] Nordqvist, Jordan. “What are the health benefits of ginseng?” Medical News Today. May 2021.
[3] “Asian Ginseng.” Mount Sinai Health Library. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Accessed December, 2021.
