Different ginseng types, which one to use?

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Ginseng is an ancient tonic herb and an effective adaptogen used for centuries for a host of conditions.

Ginseng lives up to 100 years and root is the only part used in medicine.

In general, ginseng has been used to stimulate both physical and mental activity, improve endocrine gland function, to enhance sex glands especially when it comes to treating erectile dysfunction in men, boost energy, reduce stress and to enhance the immune system. Most popular are American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) and Asian or Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng).

• Siberian ginseng is not a true ginseng but a closely related cousin. It helps adrenal glands prepare the body for stressful situation.
• American ginseng or Panax quinquefolium is considered a “true” ginseng. It has been used for stomach and bronchial disorders, asthma and they called it gisens.
• The most widely used is Panax ginseng, also known as Korean or Asian red ginseng.

Panax ginseng

The name ginseng comes from jen-shen which means “human root” (gin refers to man and seng to essence in Chinese).

The Panax is derived from the Greek word “pan” meaning all and “akos” meaning to cure. Thus, the literal translation of Panax would be a cure-all.

Active compounds

The biologically active compounds are the ginsenosides, which have been shown to improve immune function, regulate the activity of the central nervous system, to affect hormone balance, metabolism and act as a tonic to the adrenal glands and to the entire glandular system. It is also said that ginsenosides facilitate penile erection thus help you improve erectile dysfunction and sexual function in both men and women.

American, Siberian or Red Korean ginseng

The main difference between the Wild American ginseng and Asian ginseng is that the American ginseng has “cooling” properties and Korean ginseng has more “warming” properties. Anyhow, they all act as an effective rejuvenatore, they provide protection against both psychical and psychological stresses. But, some ginseng do have more specific use, such as red ginseng.

Korean or red ginseng used for 2,000 years in the Far East, it has been considered among other things, the ultimate sexual enhancer for men. It is prepared by steaming before drying and then it gets steeped in a mixture of special herbs. Then, it becomes red. The process of making red ginseng is said to preserve the ginseng’s natural state thus increase its potency, where the steaming part has been shown to alter the composition of the ginsenosides.

The red ginseng is believed to be most potent and help reduce fatigue and alleviate symptoms associated with menopause. It was also found that red ginseng significantly improves erectile function and sexual desire, enhances mental health, sleep and physical performance (benefits of ginseng).