According to some books (Encyclopaedia Britannica), the ginseng is one of the only real aphrodisiacs in existence! Marco Polo praised it as an elixir and so did many other travelers to China. Back then, it was the most expensive plant in the world. So, what are the ginseng benefits?
In general, ginseng has been used to stimulate both physical and mental activity, improve endocrine gland function, to enhance sex organs especially when it comes to treating erectile dysfunction in men, boost energy, reduce stress and to enhance the immune system. In its native country, ginseng enjoys the reputation of panacea, and especially of being an aphrodisiac. Other ginseng benefits are:
- Increases energy and stamina.
- Calms the mind, fights forgetfulness and significantly improves memory and concentration.
- Improves sexual functions for both male and female.
- Treats erectile dysfunction in men.
- Reduces cholesterol level when consumed daily before the main meal.
- It is used as a valuable remedy to aid recovery after surgery or radiation therapy.
- It is used for diabetes control and to lower blood sugar levels and uric sugar in type 2 diabetes.
- Decreases the blood pressure, aids the blood circulation, including in cases of coronary heart disease.
The ginseng root is sold in many forms: as a whole root, as a powder, as an extract or concentrate, in granules for instant tea, as a tincture, in an oil base, and in tablets and capsules.
The ginseng you will buy will depend on your personal needs. When purchasing ginseng always choose a reputable brand of ginseng products (I buy my ginseng products on Amazon, such as this one: Korean Red Panax Ginseng
Cautions: Ginseng is usually taken in the earlier part of the day, not in the evening and not to children due to its stimulating properties. People with hypoglycemia should avoid using large amounts of ginseng. Also, both American and Asian ginseng may have estrogenic activity and should be avoided by women with hormonal imbalances.
The most commonly experienced adverse events are a headache, sleep, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Nice to know. Even though ginseng has been reported to cause hypertension, red ginseng is used as an anti-hypertensive agent in Korea and to reduce liver cholesterol. Red ginseng is very popular among athletes when improving stamina or speeding up the process of recovery from injuries.
