Korean Red Ginseng

Panax ginseng, the ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, or Korean ginseng is known as the King of Herbs and has a history of use dating back thousands of years.
Korean red ginseng contains a nutrient dense component called ginseng saponins (otherwise known as ginsenosides) which are found exclusively in this type of ginseng making it a one of a kind superfood

7 Proven Health Benefits of Ginseng

Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

This slow-growing, short plant with fleshy roots can be classified three ways, depending on how long it is grown: fresh, white or red.

Fresh ginseng is harvested before 4 years, while white ginseng is harvested between 4–6 years and red ginseng is harvested after 6 or more years.

There are many types of this herb, but the most popular are American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng).

American and Asian ginseng vary in their concentration of active compounds and effects on the body. It is believed that American ginseng works as a relaxing agent, whereas the Asian variety has an invigorating effect (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).

Ginseng contains two significant compounds: ginsenosides and gintonin. These compounds complement one another to provide health benefits (3Trusted Source).

Here are 7 evidence-based health benefits of ginseng.

1. Potent Antioxidant That May Reduce Inflammation
Ginseng has beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (4Trusted Source).

Some test-tube studies have shown that ginseng extracts and ginsenoside compounds could inhibit inflammation and increase antioxidant capacity in cells (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).

For example, one test-tube study found that Korean red ginseng extract reduced inflammation and improved antioxidant activity is skin cells from people with eczema (7Trusted Source).

The results are promising in humans, as well.

One study investigated the effects of having 18 young male athletes take 2 grams of Korean red ginseng extract three times per day for seven days.

The men then had levels of certain inflammatory markers tested after performing an exercise test. These levels were significantly lower than in the placebo group, lasting for up to 72 hours after testing (8Trusted Source).

However, it should be noted that the placebo group got a different medicinal herb, so these results should be taken with a grain of salt and more studies are needed.

Lastly, a larger study followed 71 postmenopausal women who took 3 grams of red ginseng or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Antioxidant activity and oxidative stress markers were then measured.

Researchers concluded that red ginseng may help reduce oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities (9Trusted Source).

SUMMARY
Ginseng has been shown to help reduce inflammatory markers and help protect against oxidative stress.

2. May Benefit Brain Function
Ginseng could help improve brain functions like memory, behavior and mood (10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).

Some test-tube and animal studies show that components in ginseng, like ginsenosides and compound K, could protect the brain against damage caused by free radicals (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

One study followed 30 healthy people who consumed 200 mg of Panax ginseng daily for four weeks. At the end of the study, they showed improvement in mental health, social functioning and mood.

However, these benefits stopped being significant after 8 weeks, suggesting that ginseng effects might decrease with extended use (15Trusted Source).

Another study examined how single doses of either 200 or 400 mg of Panax ginseng affected mental performance, mental fatigue and blood sugar levels in 30 healthy adults before and after a 10-minute mental test.

The 200-mg dose, as opposed to the 400-mg dose, was more effective at improving mental performance and fatigue during the test (16Trusted Source).

It is possible that ginseng assisted the uptake of blood sugar by cells, which could have enhanced performance and reduced mental fatigue. Yet it is not clear why the lower dose was more effective than the higher one.

A third study found that taking 400 mg of Panax ginseng daily for eight days improved calmness and math skills (17Trusted Source).

What’s more, other studies found positive effects on brain function and behavior in people with Alzheimer's disease (18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).

SUMMARY
Ginseng has been shown to benefit mental functions, feelings of calmness and mood in both healthy people and those with Alzheimer's disease.

3. Could Improve Erectile Dysfunction
Research has shown that ginseng may be a useful alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men (21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).

It seems that compounds in it may protect against oxidative stress in blood vessels and tissues in the penis and help restore normal function (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).

Additionally, studies have shown that ginseng may promote the production of nitric oxide, a compound that improves muscle relaxation in the penis and increases blood circulation (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).

One study found that men treated with Korean red ginseng had a 60% improvement in ED symptoms, compared to 30% improvement produced by a medication used to treat ED (26Trusted Source).

Moreover, another study showed that 86 men with ED had significant improvements in erectile function and overall satisfaction after taking 1,000 mg of aged ginseng extract for 8 weeks (27Trusted Source).

However, more studies are needed to draw definite conclusions about the effects of ginseng on ED (24Trusted Source).

SUMMARY
Ginseng may improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction by decreasing oxidative stress in tissues and enhancing blood flow in penile muscles.

4. May Boost the Immune System
Ginseng may strengthen the immune system.

Some studies exploring its effects on the immune system have focused on cancer patients undergoing surgery or chemotherapy treatment.

One study followed 39 people who were recovering from surgery for stomach cancer, treating them with 5,400 mg of ginseng daily for two years.

Interestingly, these people had significant improvements in immune functions and a lower recurrence of symptoms (28).

Another study examined the effect of red ginseng extract on immune system markers in people with advanced stomach cancer undergoing post-surgery chemotherapy.

After three months, those taking red ginseng extract had better immune system markers than those in the control or placebo group (29).

Furthermore, a study suggested that people who take ginseng could have up to a 35% higher chance of living disease-free for five years after curative surgery and up to a 38% higher survival rate compared to those not taking it (30).

It seems that ginseng extract could enhance the effect of vaccinations against diseases like influenza, as well (31Trusted Source).

Even though these studies show improvements in immune system markers in people with cancer, more research is needed to demonstrate the efficacy of ginseng in boosting resistance to infections in healthy people (32Trusted Source).

SUMMARY
Ginseng may strengthen the immune system in people with cancer and even enhance the effects of certain vaccinations.

5. May Have Potential Benefits Against Cancer
Ginseng may be helpful in reducing the risk of certain cancers (33Trusted Source).

Ginsenosides in this herb have been shown to help reduce inflammation and provide antioxidant protection (34Trusted Source, 35Trusted Source).

The cell cycle is the process by which cells normally grow and divide. Ginsenosides could benefit this cycle by preventing abnormal cell production and growth (34Trusted Source, 35Trusted Source).

A review of several studies concluded that people who take ginseng may have a a 16% lower risk of developing cancer (35Trusted Source).

Moreover, an observational study suggested that people taking ginseng could be less likely to develop certain types of cancer, such as lip, mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon, liver and lung cancer, than those who do not take it (36Trusted Source).

Ginseng may also help improve the health of patients undergoing chemotherapy, reduce side effects and enhance the effect of some treatment drugs (34Trusted Source).

While studies on the role of ginseng in cancer prevention show some benefits, they remain inconclusive (37Trusted Source).

SUMMARY
Ginsenosides in ginseng seem to regulate inflammation, provide antioxidant protection and maintain the health of cells, which could help decrease the risk of certain kinds of cancer. Nevertheless, more research is needed.

6. May Fight Tiredness and Increase Energy Levels
Ginseng has been shown to help fight fatigue and promote energy.

Various animal studies have linked some components in ginseng, like polysaccharides and oligopeptides, with lower oxidative stress and higher energy production in cells, which could help fight fatigue (38Trusted Source, 39Trusted Source, 40Trusted Source).

One four-week study explored the effects of giving 1 or 2 grams of Panax ginseng or a placebo to 90 people with chronic fatigue.

Those given Panax ginseng experienced less physical and mental fatigue, as well as reductions in oxidative stress, than those taking the placebo (41Trusted Source).

Another study gave 364 cancer survivors experiencing fatigue 2,000 mg of American ginseng or a placebo. After eight weeks, those in the ginseng group had significantly lower fatigue levels than those in the placebo group (42Trusted Source).

Furthermore, a review of over 155 studies suggested that ginseng supplements may not only help reduce fatigue but also enhance physical activity (43Trusted Source).

SUMMARY
Ginseng may help fight fatigue and enhance physical activity by lowering oxidative damage and increasing energy production in cells.

7. Could Lower Blood Sugar
Ginseng seems to be beneficial in the control of blood glucose in people both with and without diabetes (44Trusted Source, 45Trusted Source).

American and Asian ginseng have been shown to improve pancreatic cell function, boost insulin production and enhance the uptake of blood sugar in tissues (44Trusted Source).

Moreover, studies show that ginseng extracts help by providing antioxidant protection that reduce free radicals in the cells of those with diabetes (44Trusted Source).

One study assessed the effects of 6 grams of Korean red ginseng, along with the usual anti-diabetic medication or diet, in 19 people with type 2 diabetes.

Interestingly, they were able to maintain good blood sugar control throughout the 12-week study. They also had an 11% decrease in blood sugar levels, a 38% decrease in fasting insulin and a 33% increase in insulin sensitivity (46Trusted Source).

Another study showed that American ginseng helped improve blood sugar levels in 10 healthy people after they performed a sugary drink test (47Trusted Source).

It seems that fermented red ginseng could be even more effective at blood sugar control. Fermented ginseng is produced with the help of live bacteria that transform the ginsenosides into a more easily absorbed and potent form (48Trusted Source).

In fact, a study demonstrated that taking 2.7 grams of fermented red ginseng daily was effective at lowering blood sugar and increasing insulin levels after a test meal, compared to a placebo (49Trusted Source).

SUMMARY
Ginseng, particularly fermented red ginseng, may help increase insulin production, enhance blood sugar uptake in cells and provide antioxidant protection.

Easy to Add to Your Diet
Ginseng root can be consumed in many ways. It can be eaten raw or you can lightly steam it to soften it.

It can also be stewed in water to make a tea. To do this, just add hot water to freshly sliced ginseng and let it steep for several minutes.

Ginseng can be added to various recipes like soups and stir-frys, too. And the extract can be found in powder, tablet, capsule and oil forms.

How much you should take depends on the condition you want to improve. Overall, daily doses of 1–2 grams of raw ginseng root or 200–400 mg of extract are suggested. It’s best to start with lower doses and increase over time.

Look for a standard ginseng extract that contains 2–3% total ginsenosides, and consume it before meals to increase absorption and get the full benefits.

SUMMARY
Ginseng can be eaten raw, made into tea or added to various dishes. It can also be consumed as a powder, capsule or oil.

Safety and Potential Side Effects
According to research, ginseng appears to be safe and should not produce any serious adverse effects.

However, people taking diabetes medications should monitor their blood sugar levels closely when using ginseng to ensure these levels do not go too low.

Additionally, ginseng may reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulant drugs.

For these reasons, talk to your doctor before supplementing with it.

Note that due to the lack of safety studies, ginseng is not recommended for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Lastly, there is evidence suggesting that the extended use of ginseng could decrease its effectiveness in the body.

To maximize its benefits, you should take ginseng in 2–3-week cycles with a one or two week break in between (14Trusted Source).

6년근 대편 고려홍삼 건삼

홍삼은 엄선된 홍삼의 씨를 파종하여 6년후 수확한 양질의 인삼으로 만들어집니다.
4-6년근 수삼을 껍질을 벗기지 않고 (껍질에도 좋은 성분이 많이 함유되어 있습니다) 증기로 쪄서 건조 숙성 시킨 황갈색 또는 적갈색의 인삼을 말합니다.

이렇게 인삼속의 좋은 성분인 사포닌을 비교하면 수삼 15종, 건삼 22종, 홍삼 34종으로 훨씬 높게 나타난다고 합니다.

홍삼의 효능
-항암효과 : 홍삼은 항암제 치료를 받는 환자, 노인, 어린이 등 면역력이 약한분들이 복용하면 면역력을 향상시켜주는 효능이 있습니다.
특히 홍삼의 사포닌 성분이 바이러스에서 발생될수 있는 감염등을 사전에 예방시켜 주는 효과가 있습니다.홍삼의 사포닌(진세노사이드)은 우리 몸속의 부신 피질 기능을 자극해 순황계의 작용을 도와 체내 면역 형성 물질을 강화해주어 몸이 보호할 수 있는 저항력을 키워줘 암을 예방하는데 뛰어난 효과가 있습니다.

-숙취 제거 효과 : 홍삼은 체내에 있는 알코올 성분을 빨리 분해시켜 엑기스와 함게 술을 마실 경우, 술만 먹은 경우보다 혈중 알코올 농도가 낮아지는 효과가 있습니다.

-아토피 개선 효과 : 아토피는 면역체계 이상이 주요 원인으로 알려져 있으며 홍삼의 산성다당체 성분은 항염증 효과를 주고, 비 사포닌 성분인 말톨 성분은 항산화 효과를 주어 아토피 피부와 알레르기의 개선에 효과가 있는 것으로 밝혀졌습니다. 또한 이러한 항염작용은 여드름 치료와 각종 피부트러블의 염증완화에도 효과를 보이고 있습니다.

-노화방지 효과 : 홍삼에는 수 종의 페놀성 화합물과 말토오스가 함유되어 있어 노화방지 및 피로억제 효과가 있습니다.

-혈액순환 효과 : 홍삼은 혈전생성 억제 작용을 일으켜 혈관이 수축되는 것을 막아주어 성인병인 혈전증과 동맥경화성질환등 혈관이 막혀 생기는 병에 효과적입니다.

-여성 갱년기 개선 효과 : 홍삼 분말을 꾸준히 복용하며 내분비기능이 개선되어 갱년기 장애가 개선되며, 여성호르몬이 증가되는 효과가 있습니다. 또한 난소 조작에 대한 혈류량을 증가시키며 불면증으로 인한 두통, 난소, 기능저하, 우울증, 전신 권태감에도 탁월한 효과가 있습니다.

-골다공증 효과 : 홍삼에 함유된 사포닌 성분은 성인에게 발생하는 골다공증을 예방해주고 이미 약해진 골절도 강화 시켜주는 효능이 있으며 사포닌 성분이 뼈의 무게와 강도를 높여줘 골다골증 예방에 좋은 효능이 있습니다.

-불임 치료 효과

-빈혈 예방 효과

-다이어트 효과