Health Benefits of Ginseng

By Gayot Editors

If the human body had stringy shoots for arms and legs, it would look a lot like the ginseng root. The root is native to China, Korea and America, but due to its appearance,  Chinese herbalists revered ginseng for more than 2,000 years. Long regarded as an herbal cure for a cornucopia of ailments, the root has both physical and mental benefits. It is perceived to alleviate fatigue and stress, fortify strength after illness, enhance sexual desire, confer both a sense of wellbeing and wisdom, and increase longevity. The root is thought of as an “adaptogen,” something that moderates all kinds of stress, whether mental or physical. 

Many Varieties

For centuries, Native Americans have used American ginseng to treat everything from fevers to dysentery to headaches. Clearly, as far as ancient healing traditions are concerned, ginseng lives up to the name of its botanical genus: Panax, which is Greek for “cure all.”

As allopathic (Western) medicine has turned its attention to the scarecrow-like root, scientific inquiry into ginseng’s effectiveness has yielded mixed results. There are many reasons for this. First, there are different types of ginsengs. Ginseng native to America is white or yellow in color, while Asian (Korean or Chinese) is red. (Siberian ginseng from Russia is not considered “true” ginseng because it lacks the active chemicals called ginsenosides in its root.)

Effects

Traditional Chinese practitioners believe that American ginseng has a “cooling” effect on the body versus a “heating” effect for Asian ginseng. Scientific studies suggest there may indeed be a difference in the two varieties’ therapeutic value. For example, some studies have shown that American ginseng may lower blood sugar levels in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Asian ginseng, on the other hand, may raise it.

Another reason for the spotty data on its effectiveness is that it is often administered in combination with other herbs. Therefore, its effect is difficult to single out. Some studies show that herbal combinations containing ginseng might be able to improve symptoms of dementia, increase red and white blood cell counts in those with aplastic anemia, reduce symptoms of coronary artery disease, and enhance mental performance on cognitive tests. But the scientific consensus is that more high-quality studies involving ginseng only are needed to confirm such health claims. Furthermore, many of the ginseng-only studies have been too small to draw conclusions from or have been conducted only on animals. More large human clinical trials have been called for.

Boosts Health

Still, as the evidence begins to emerge, the root’s potential benefits appear to be as broad as the ancients envisioned. Athletes swear by ginseng as a strength and endurance booster; several studies have shown that it increases oxygen uptake during training, decreases the post-exercise recovery period, and lowers the incidence of muscle fatigue. In China, it is commonly used to treat heart disease and cancer. Preliminary evidence suggests ginseng’s efficacy for these conditions. The root appears to have antioxidant effects in heart patients, improve blood pressure, and may lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. While a few studies show that ginseng powder or extract may lower the risk of developing some cancers, those receiving chemotherapy for cancer have shown improved body weight, quality of life, and immune response from ginseng injections. Another common use of ginseng in China is to boost sexual performance. Early evidence suggests that the root can treat erectile dysfunction and increase libido and sperm count in men. Many people insist that they feel more alert when taking it. Studies of Asian ginseng have found that it modestly improves concentration and memory.

Much Potential

The list of emerging evidence goes on and on. Because the root has historically been perceived as an all-in-one health panacea, it’s being studied across the board. From immune function to ADHD to kidney dysfunction to menopausal symptoms, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is currently funding studies on the herb’s potential to treat lung infection, impaired glucose tolerance, and Alzheimer’s disease.

With so many potential benefits, it may be hard to decide whether to take ginseng for your specific ailment. But consider the result of one study of 500 men and women living in Mexico City. Those taking Asian ginseng showed significant improvements across all quality of life measures. Benefits including energy, sleep, sex life, personal satisfaction, and well-being. Whether you boil the dried root as a tea, take it in tincture form as an extract, or savor it in a sweet candy, this ancient cure may indeed be a “catch all” for the stresses of modern life.