What is Ginseng?

Ginseng is a flowering plant in the genus Panax. Ginseng has eleven species that originate from North America and Eastern Asia. Finding performs well on sparingly acidic soil in a moist environment of trees. Ginseng has been in use in traditional Chinese medicine for the past 5,000 years. The most popular and commonly cultivated species are American and Asian ginseng. This super-plant is cultivated for the herbal remedies that it provides around the world. Ginseng produces red berries, which are edible and useful, but the essential part of the plant is the root because it contains a higher concentration of nutrients than any other part of the plant.

Traditional Uses of Ginseng

Every part of ginseng contains nutritional and medicinal values, but the root is used extensively in traditional medicine because of its therapeutic and curative properties. Ginseng is used in traditional medicine to treat many ailments such as diabetes, anorexia, impotence, palpitation, bleeding, insomnia, and shortness of breath.

Surprising facts about Ginseng

Ginseng produces stems that are erect and smooth and can attain a height of 1-2 feet.  

Ginseng is regarded as a perfect flower because it has two types of reproductive organs.

Ginseng produces yellow-green flowers with a sweet fragrance that attracts syrphid flies and bees that help in pollinating the plant.

During the summer months in the past, people chewed the roots of ginseng to cool themselves down.

Ginseng is mixed with other plants and taken as tea, pills, tonic, or tablets to relieve stress, treat hypertension, diabetes, and generally enhance good health.

Native Americans use the American ginseng to treat dysentery, headache, colic, and fevers, while some North Americans used ginseng to prepare love potions.

Ginseng can help in the fast recovery of muscles after intense training, increasing the uptake of oxygen in the muscles, thereby helping to improve performance. For these reasons, it is prevalent and most often used by athletes.

Health Benefits of Ginseng and why myAir bars contain it

Ginseng has several benefits, so it is widely used in the health sector to cure many ailments. Some of the health benefits of ginseng are therefore considered as follows:

1. Ginseng can help to improve energy levels and reduce tiredness

Ginseng can improve energy and fight against tiredness. Many animal studies discovered that ginseng contains components such as oligopeptides and polysaccharides. Consequently, this causes an increase in energy production in the body and reduces oxidative stress.

A  four-week study observed the effects of giving 1 or 2 grams of placebo or Panax ginseng to 90 people who had chronic fatigue. The result showed that those who consumed Panax ginseng experienced a reduction in their oxidative stress, as well as physical and mental fatigue rate, compared to those who took the placebo.

Another study involved 364 cancer survivors who took 2,000 mg of American ginseng or a placebo for eight weeks. Results showed that those who consumed ginseng had a significant reduction in their fatigue level than those that consumed the placebo. Furthermore, a review comprised of 155 studies declared that supplements of ginseng do not only reduce fatigue but also help to improve physical activeness.

Ginseng can reduce tiredness and also enhance energy levels through a reduction in oxidative damage in the body. Ginseng is an essential part of the Energetic Pink adaptogenic formulation of myAir super-plant bars. 

2. Ginseng can reduce the risk of some cancerous cells in the body

Ginsenosides in ginseng can help in the reduction of inflammation and as well provide antioxidant protection. Ginsenosides can also prevent abnormal cell growth and production when the process of the cell cycle takes place. From the review of several studies, results show that people who consume ginseng have an about 16% lesser risk of developing cancer. 

Furthermore, an observational study showed that people that consumed ginseng could less likely develop some types of cancer such as liver, lip, stomach, mouth, colon, esophagus, and lung cancer compared to those who do not consume ginseng. In conclusion, ginseng can also help enhance patients undergoing chemotherapy, reducing their side effects, thereby promoting the effects of drugs used for treatment.

Ginseng can help prevent inflammation, maintain the health of the cells and reduce the risk of developing cancer in the body.

3. Ginseng can help in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men

 According to research work, ginseng has been proven to be a helpful alternative in treating erectile dysfunction. It is because ginseng possesses antioxidative properties that are protective against oxidative stress in the blood vessels and tissues of the penis, thereby restoring it to function normally. Additionally, studies have proven that ginseng can enhance nitric oxide production, which helps improve the relaxation of the muscles in the penis, thereby increasing blood circulation.

A study on some men treated with Korean red ginseng showed that there was a 60% improvement in erectile dysfunction symptoms compared to the 30% improvement experienced through a medication prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Furthermore, another study on significant improvement in erectile function and overall satisfaction in 86 men after consuming 1,000 mg of ginseng extract for eight weeks was carried out. More studies are still going on to determine the full functionality of ginseng on erectile dysfunction.

The results of studies show that it can reduce oxidative stress in the tissues of the penis, thereby promoting blood flow in the penis muscles. It eventually helps to treat erectile dysfunction.

4. Ginseng can help to improve the functionality of the brain

Ginseng can help to cause an improvement in the functionality of the brain, such as mood, memory, and behavior. Some test-tube and animal studies showed that ginseng contained components such as compound K and ginsenosides, which could protect the brain against damage that may occur as a result of free radicals.

There was a study on 30 healthy people who took 200 mg of Panax ginseng daily for four weeks. The result of the study showed that there was a vast improvement in the social functioning, mental health, and mood of the model.

Another study on the effects of single doses of either 200 or 400 mg of Panax ginseng on the mental fatigue, blood sugar levels, and mental performance of 30 healthy adults before and after a 10-minute mental test was also done. The result obtained showed that the 200 mg dose was more potent in causing improvement in mental performance and fatigue during the test than the 400 mg dose. Although ginseng may have aided the uptake of blood sugar by cells, thereby enhancing performance and reducing mental fatigue, it is still unknown why the 200 mg dose was more potent than the 400 mg dose.

A study testing the calmness of some students was carried out, it proved an improvement in math skills and calmness after consuming 400 mg of Panax ginseng daily for eight days. However, many other studies also discovered that ginseng had positive effects on the brain's functionality in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Studies have proven that ginseng can help improve the brain's functionality, increasing calmness and good mood in healthy people and those who have Alzheimer's disease.

5. Ginseng can help to reduce the blood sugar level in the body

Ginseng is very powerful in controlling the blood glucose level in diabetic and those that are not. The Asian and American ginseng has been proven to have the ability to promote blood sugar uptake in tissues, improving the function of pancreatic cells and boosting the production of insulin. The extracts of ginseng can also help provide antioxidant protection, thereby reducing free radicals in the cells of diabetic patients.

A 12-week study was carried out to determine the effects of 6 grams of Korean red ginseng plus their anti-diabetic medication or diet on 19 people who had type 2 diabetes. The results obtained showed that the people were able to maintain a good sugar level. There was also about 33% in insulin sensitivity, a 38% decrease in fasting insulin, and an 11% decrease in blood sugar levels.

Another study on the consumption of American ginseng shows that it aided in the improvement of the blood sugar levels in 10 healthy people after performing a sugary drink test.

Fermented red ginseng, obtained through the help of live bacteria, can also control the blood sugar level. Furthermore, a study showed that the consumption of 2.7 grams of fermented red daily was potent in lowering the blood sugar level and increasing the insulin level after a test meal than those who consumed the placebo.

Ginseng, especially fermented red ginseng, can help to provide antioxidant protection, increase the production of insulin in the body, thereby enhancing the uptake of sugar in the cells.

6. Ginseng possesses antioxidant properties that can help in the reduction of inflammation

Test-tube studies on the effects of ginseng on inflammation showed that ginseng extract could inhibit inflammation, thereby increasing antioxidant capacity in cells. For instance, a test-tube study found that the extract of Korean red ginseng helped reduce inflammation, thereby enhancing antioxidant activity in the skin cells of people with eczema.

Another study on the examination of the effects that the extract of Korean red ginseng had on 18 young male athletes after taking 2 grams of the extract three times daily for seven days. The result showed that the level of the inflammation they had, became reduced compared to those that used placebo as a supplement up to 72 hours after the test.

 Lastly, another more extensive study was conducted, testing the effect of red ginseng and placebo on 71 postmenopausal women after taking 3 grams of red ginseng or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Results obtained made the researchers conclude that red ginseng can help reduce oxidative stress by increasing the activities of the antioxidant enzyme in the body.

Ginseng, according to studies, has been proven to possess the ability to reduce inflammation and protect the body against oxidative stress.

7. Ginseng can help to strengthen the immune system

Some studies were carried out to test the effects of ginseng on the immune system of patients who had cancer and were undergoing chemotherapy treatment or surgery.

A study on 39 people treated with 5400 mg of ginseng daily for two years and started recovering from surgery for stomach cancer. Results showed that the 39 people experienced a significant improvement in the function of their immune system and a decrease in recurrence of the symptoms.

Another study was carried out to test the effect of the extract of red ginseng extract on the immune system of people who had advanced stomach cancer and were undergoing post-surgery chemotherapy.

Three months later, the researchers obtained the result. It showed a great improvement in the immune system of those who consumed the extract of red ginseng than those who took the placebo.

Furthermore, another study was carried out which suggested that those people that consume ginseng have up to 35% chance of living a disease-free life for five years after curative surgery and up to 38% survival rate in contrast to those who do not consume it. Ginseng was also discovered to promote the effect of vaccinations to fight against diseases in the body.

Ginseng possesses the ability to strengthen the immune system of cancer patients and as well promote the effects of vaccinations used in treating some diseases.

Conclusion

Ginseng provides plenty of benefits to the body. However, more research is still needed to determine the full benefits of the super plant.

The benefits of Ginseng in your myAir bars

Ginseng is used in myAir bars to help provide relief to a variety of health conditions. Our formulations can help in the relief of stress, improvement in the immune system, regulate the blood sugar levels, improve the functionality of the brain, and lots more.

Footnotes

Potentiation of antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cultured wild ginseng root extract through probiotic fermentation

Byoung-Gun Park et al. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2013 Mar.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23356855/

Effects of Panax ginseng on tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated inflammation: a mini-review

Davy C W Lee et al. Molecules. 2011.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21455094/

Anti-Inflammatory Diet 101: How to Reduce Inflammation Naturally

Written by Franziska Spritzler on December 13, 2018

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/anti-inflammatory-diet-101

Ginseng for cognition

Jinsong Geng et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21154383/

Neuroprotective effects of ginsenosides

Wolf-Dieter Rausch et al. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars). 2006.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17265697/

Effects of Panax ginseng on quality of life.

Jennifer M Ellis et al. Ann Pharmacother. 2002 Mar.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11895046/

Improvement of cognitive deficit in Alzheimer's disease patients by long term treatment with Korean red ginseng.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23717092/

Study of the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Enrico de Andrade et al. Asian J Androl. 2007 Mar.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16855773/

Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review

Dai-Ja Jang et al. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Oct.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18754850/

Clinical efficacy of Korean red ginseng for erectile dysfunction

H K Choi et al. Int J Impot Res. 1995 Sep

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8750052/

Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review.

Dai-Ja Jang et al. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Oct.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18754850/

Red ginseng and cancer treatment

Chong-Zhi Wang et al. Chin J Nat Med. 2016 Jan.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26850342/

Recent advances in ginseng as cancer therapeutics: a functional and mechanistic overview.

Alice S T Wong et al. Nat Prod Rep. 2015 Feb.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25347695/

Recent advances in ginseng as cancer therapeutics: a functional and mechanistic overview

Alice S T Wong et al. Nat Prod Rep. 2015 Feb.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25347695

Ginseng consumption and risk of cancer: A meta-analysis

Xin Jin et al. J Ginseng Res. 2016 Jul.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27616903/

Preventive effect of ginseng intake against various human cancers: a case-control study on 1987 pairs

T K Yun et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1995 Jun.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7655337/

Recent advances in ginseng as cancer therapeutics: a functional and mechanistic overview

Alice S T Wong et al. Nat Prod Rep. 2015 Feb.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25347695/

Ginseng and cancer

Ahmet Unlu et al. J BUON. Nov-Dec 2016.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28039696/

Antifatigue effects of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Hyeong-Geug Kim et al. PLoS One. 2013

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23613825/

Efficacy of Ginseng Supplements on Fatigue and Physical Performance: a Meta-analysis

Hoang Viet Bach et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2016 Dec.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27822924/

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves glucose and insulin regulation in well-controlled, type 2 diabetes: Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety

Vladimir Vuksan et al. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2008 Jan.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16860976/

American ginseng improves glycemia in individuals with normal glucose tolerance: effect of dose and time escalation

V Vuksan et al. J Am Coll Nutr. Nov-Dec 2000.

Bifidus fermentation increases hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of red ginseng

Hien-Trung Trinh et al. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2007 Jul.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18051323/

Postprandial glucose-lowering effects of fermented red ginseng in subjects with impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Mi-Ra Oh et al. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25015735/