Popular in Asian wellness practices for generations, ginseng promotes cognitive performance. It supports physical and mental energy, supporting your mind and body's resistance to stress.** Additionally, ginseng works to:
What is Ginseng?
Used in Asian wellness practices for thousands of years, ginseng is a plant that boasts a root rich in ginsenosides, bioactive phytochemicals that are exclusive to plants within the Panax ginseng family. There are many different types of ginseng, as it naturally grows in temperate climates all over the Northern Hemisphere. The most popular varieties are Asian or Korean and American Ginseng, with the former commonly used as an energizer and the latter prized for its stress-resistance properties.**
In China, Korea, and the Far East, ginseng has been a mainstay of alternative wellness practices for many generations, and is greatly valued for its adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens are herbs that are considered to help to balance and normalize various bioactivities in the body. Notably, adaptogens like ginseng are believed to help the body adapt to and resist a variety of internal and external stressors, such as physical stress, emotional stress and toxic chemical stress.**
In America, ginseng was used by Native Americans prior to Western settlement as a way to optimize immune responses, modulate inflammation, support digestion and promote healthy energy levels. The herb has been steadily gaining popularity in Western wellness practices since the 1950s, thanks to research suggesting it may also assist with cognitive function, stamina and well-being.**
Modern research has shown that ginsenosides influence many tissues throughout the body and perform a wide range of health-promoting biological activities, including antioxidant activities and inflammation-modulating activities. In fact, there are no less than 25 different ginsenosides that have been discovered to date. The expansive activities of the many ginsenosides may account for ginseng’s reputation as a “tonic” herb for promoting overall wellness and vitality in a number of different ways.**
Ginseng Supplements
While the Western world has only been using ginseng supplements for just a few decades, it has a tradition of use in Eastern cultures for thousands of years. The herb is available in a variety of forms, including capsules, powders, liquid extract, and whole root.**
Ginseng preparation for nutritional supplementation comes in one of two major forms, known as either Red or White. Red Ginseng is prepared by first steaming the root before heat drying, giving its distinctive “red” color, while White Ginseng is simply left to dry. Asian or Korean Ginseng is most available as Red, as it is the traditional method for its preparation.**
Ginseng Directions for Use
You should always consult with your doctor before engaging in any sort of nutritional supplement regimen. Ginseng dosage usually ranges for from 200 mg to 500 mg daily, depending upon its intended purpose.**
