A Wonder Herb? Health Benefits of Ginseng (with Product Picks!)

“Wonder of the World”

With a name and meaning like that, it must be a powerful herb!  Yes, herbal ginseng has been used for thousands of years to improve people’s overall health and well-being.  Generally, when we speak of “ginseng,” we are referring to a specific species within a group of slow growing perennial plants with fleshy roots that are part of the Araliaceae family. There are 2 main types, Asian or Korean ginseng, and American ginseng, both of which grow best in the cooler climates of these Northern Hemispheric regions.  Each type comes with their own unique attributes and benefits and in traditional Chinese medicine, American ginseng is considered less stimulating (yin, cooling) than the Asian variety (yang, warming).

Okay, enough of the scientific stuff.  Why should you care about ginseng?  Well, these days the chewy white root is being used to enhance energy and sexual function, and is said to be anti-inflammatory and a powerful antioxidant.  People are also popping this herb to help boost the immune system and lower blood sugar levels, as there have been studies to Support these theories, and there is also some early evidence that it can assist in improving mood, concentration and mental performance.

Ginseng is known to be an adaptogen, a substance that is thought to help the body adapt to stress, resist disease, and restore itself.  Because of these effects, ginseng has been widely used in effort to lower cholesterol, increase stamina, and reduce fatigue.

But be aware that as with all herbal remedies, there can be side effects.  Ginseng has been known to cause allergic reactions, and because of its stimulant effects, ginseng can cause nervousness or sleeplessness.  Always consult your doctor, naturopathic or other, if you are thinking about adding this super powered herb to your plate, especially if you are pregnant.

Easy to add into daily health routines, ginseng is available in tea, powder, capsule, or whole root form.  If you are ready to begin with the “gin,” why not check out these products:

1. Organic Korean Ginseng by Wilde Herbs

100% organic Korean Ginseng is 100 vegan, kosher-certified capsules. Wilde Herbs is a Seattle-based herbal business. They supply Certified USDA organic herbal supplements of the highest quality and purity, containing no binders or fillers.

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