Ginseng

Binomial Name	Panax Ginseng
Family	Araliaceae
Order	Apiales
Higher Classification	Ginseng
Genus	Panax

Ginseng has been traditionally consumed to help heal a variety health conditions. It is one of those nutrient-packed herbs that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and it has become increasingly popular in western countries over the past two decades. Ginseng was primarily used in Chinese medicine to treat weakness and fatigue. It’s a slow-growing plant which has fleshy roots; it can be classified into three categories, depending on how long it grows—fresh, white or red. The root of this plant is most commonly used in health supplements. Usually, ginseng tea does not contain any leaves, but it is brewed with ginseng roots. From improving energy levels to reducing inflammation, ginseng tea is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide for its long list of benefits.

This herb has a lot of varieties but the most popular are American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). Some studies show that different types of ginseng offer different types of benefits. The difference between American and Asian ginseng is they vary in their concentration of active compounds. It is believed that Asian ginseng has an invigorating effect on the body whereas American ginseng has a soothing effect on the body.

Constituents:

Ginsenosides, which is also known as ginseng saponins is the major pharmacologically active ingredient of ginseng. Ginsenosides can help reduce inflammation, help with antioxidant protection and maintain the health of cells which can help prevent certain types of cancer. Ginseng and its constituents are thought to possess antioxidant and anti-stress effects.

Benefits:

Helps Reduces Inflammation:

Ginseng has various therapeutic benefits and its ability to reduce inflammation is one of them, According to some studies, ginseng extracts and its ginsenoside compounds can help reduce inflammation. According to a study conducted by The Journal of Translational Medicine, ginsenosides could help reduce inflammation because it may be responsible for targeting pathways in the immune system. Red ginseng especially may help decrease oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities.

Helps Reduce Mild Anxiety And Depression:

Recently, there have been some studies that have indicated that ginseng may act as a potential antidepressant. Ginseng is safe to be consumed in small quantities over a long duration. It has a high safety profile and less adverse reactions. Ginseng helps regulate the immune response and the hormonal changes that take place due to stress, hence maintaining homeostasis. It helps suppress the development of psychological diseases like anxiety disorders and depression. It also helps adjust the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and controls hormones, hence, it is beneficial for the heart and brain.

May Help Improve Cognitive Abilities:

Ginseng can help improve brain functions, behaviour and mood. Consumption of ginseng may help improve mental cognition. Research that was published in the The Cochrane Library studied how accurate this claim truly is. According to this study, ginseng does offer benefits when it comes to cognition. A few studies also showed that consumption of ginseng had a positive impact on brain function and behaviour on people with Alzheimer’s disease.

May Help Improve Immune System:

Mechanistic studies advocate that when ginseng is consumed in the form of a dietary supplement, it helps prevent diseases by modulating the body’s immune system. Ginseng tea has been used in many traditional medicines to prevent and treat diseases, since, it helps strengthen the immune system of the body. Some studies have shown that the consumption of ginseng extracts has helped reduce the number and severity of colds in adults.

Helps Fight Fatigue:

It is believed that that ginseng was primarily consumed in Chinese medicine to help reduce weakness and fatigue. If you often feel like you lack energy, then you should try consuming ginseng extract. It has shown to help fight fatigue and increase energy levels. In a four-week study, 90 people with chronic fatigue were given 1-2 grams of Panax ginseng or a placebo. Those who took the ginseng instead of the placebo experienced lesser physical and mental fatigue.

Aids In Weight Loss:

As mentioned earlier, there are various types of ginseng plants, however, only Korean ginseng has been linked to weight loss. A small study on the influence of Panax ginseng on obesity and gut microbiota in obese middle-aged Korean women showed that taking the Korean variety of ginseng twice daily over the span of eight weeks resulted in a reduction of body weight of the participants. According to the book “The Miracle of Herbs and Spices” by Dr Bahram Tadayyon, ginseng is a natural appetite suppressant, hence consuming ginseng tea may aid in weight loss. However, you must keep in mind that only consuming ginseng tea may not give you your desired results, it has to be accompanied by regular exercise and a healthy diet.