The ginseng root has been used in Asia for centuries, but what exactly does ginseng do? And why should you try it?
Read on to find about ginseng’s benefits, the different types of ginseng and more.
Ginseng benefits
Let’s start with the potential benefits of ginseng.
There is some evidence to support that taking ginseng regularly might help with an array of concerns.
For example, one study showed that ginseng may help with fatigue in the short-term.
Another study showed that the root may well have a stimulating effect on the brain, thus helping to improve alertness.
Furthermore, one study into red ginseng showed that it could support circulation and improve and help improve blood flow.
That’s a lot of potential benefits from one little plant! Read more about the studies mentioned in our Health Hub article ‘Ginseng: benefits, dosage, side-effects’.
As well as these scientifically tested potential benefits, traditional medicine fans will tell you the root may also help improve sex drive,
How does ginseng work?
The science behind ginseng’s potential benefits is that the plant produces ginsenosides, which protect it from bacteria and insects.
When humans take ginseng, some of the benefits of ginsenosides are passed on to us.
Taking ginseng regularly may help our brains to calm the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which can get frazzled by stress.
When we are stressed, our brains release hormones that can have all sorts of unwanted, negative effects on our bodies. And so, if we take ginseng, we might be able to calm the stress response at the root (pun intended!).
Types of ginseng
If this is your first forray into the world of ginseng, you will notice that it is often described based on a colour – white or red – and its origin.
The most common types available in the UK are Korean ginseng and Siberian ginseng from Russia.