Ginseng

What is Ginseng?

Frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng has been extensively researched by modern medicine. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to advance, ginseng, known for its many benefits, has become available in convenient forms for daily use.

Ginseng is a short, fibrous plant that grows slowly and belongs to the Panax genus. There are different types of ginseng, and they are named according to the regions where they are grown, with each subtype offering unique benefits. The subtypes include American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng).

Types of Ginseng

Ginseng is named differently based on the region where it grows. The differences in types also affect the substances they contain, which leads to variations in their benefits.

Korean Ginseng

Also known as red ginseng, Korean ginseng is a variety that grows in the Korean region. Rich in active ingredients, it offers numerous benefits. It is the most mature ginseng type, as it is harvested the latest. To harvest the most beneficial red ginseng, at least six years of growth is required.

White Ginseng

This type of ginseng is harvested between 4 and 6 years.

American Ginseng

Native to Canada and Ontario, American ginseng grows in the higher latitudes of America. It is also commercially grown in China.

Siberian Ginseng

Grown in both Russia and Japan, the key feature of Russian ginseng is that it does not contain the ginsenoside compound. Although it offers similar benefits to ginseng, it is not considered a member of the ginseng family due to this difference.

Chinese Ginseng

This variety is the non-commercial counterpart of American ginseng. Since it shares the same origin as Korean ginseng, it also offers similar benefits.

Benefits of Ginseng

Ginseng provides various effects depending on its active ingredients. While it is used in many different areas of traditional Chinese medicine, modern medical studies are more limited. Based on these studies, the identified benefits of ginseng are as follows:

Antioxidant Effect

The most significant and well-known feature of ginseng is its antioxidant properties. Rich in antioxidants, ginseng helps eliminate reactive oxygen radicals and oxidants that occur naturally in the body.

When these substances accumulate in the body during the energy production processes of cells, they can lead to health problems such as cancer, infectious diseases, atherosclerosis, and inflammation.

Thus, consuming foods rich in antioxidants helps control the oxidants in the body, assisting in disease prevention.

Energy

The substances found in Asian ginseng accelerate the metabolism of cells. A faster metabolism provides vitality and energy. For this reason, it is often used to alleviate the fatigue experienced after illness.

Regular consumption of ginseng reduces chronic fatigue complaints. It helps people feel more energetic both mentally and physically, significantly reducing fatigue.

Enhances Brain Function

Studies on middle-aged, healthy individuals show that ginseng improves cognitive abilities and memory. It has also been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety levels in Alzheimer’s patients.

Helps with Erectile Dysfunction

One of the most researched benefits of ginseng is its effectiveness in treating erectile dysfunction in men. Ginseng compounds reduce oxidation in penile tissue and blood vessel walls, increasing the amount of nitric oxide, which helps dilate blood vessels. This molecule facilitates erections. Studies have shown that 60% of men using Korean ginseng improved.

Supports the Immune System

The compounds in ginseng stimulate the immune system, aiding in the fight against both cancer and infections. American ginseng is required to observe this effect.

Regulates Blood Sugar

Fermented red ginseng is effective in regulating blood sugar. Its compounds enhance the effect of insulin, helping to protect insulin cells in diabetes patients due to its antioxidant properties.

Concentration Support

As a dietary supplement, ginseng boosts concentration and memory. Studies on the combination of ginkgo biloba and ginseng have shown that it can be used as a supplement in the treatment of dementia patients.

May Be Used as Cancer Treatment Support

Supplements used to support cancer treatments stand out due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Since ginseng contains these active substances, it can be used as a supplement in cancer treatments. Additionally, it helps prevent the formation and growth of abnormal cells.

Ginseng is also used as a supplement to protect cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy from the side effects of the treatment.

Skin Health

The effects of photoaging caused by long-term exposure to harmful UV rays can also be reduced with ginseng. This is due to the damage caused to skin cells, which leads to the appearance of oxidants. The compounds in ginseng help remove these oxidants from the body.

Additionally, ginseng has anti-aging properties. The compounds in ginseng help preserve the integrity of skin tissue.

Hair Health

One of the areas where ginseng is most effective is hair health. Ginseng helps prevent hair loss and promotes healthy hair growth by increasing the number of cells in the scalp. This strengthens hair follicles as well.

How to Use Ginseng

Ginseng can be easily added to your daily diet in various forms, with tea being the most common way to consume it. Thin slices of ginseng can be brewed in hot water to make tea. Alternatively, it can be eaten raw or lightly boiled.

Another way to use ginseng is as a dietary supplement. Ginseng extracts can be found in tablet, powder, capsule, or oil form. For those who prefer to consume ginseng raw, it is recommended not to exceed 1-2 grams per day. As a dietary supplement, the daily intake should be limited to 300-400 mg. Exceeding the daily recommended amount may lead to common side effects such as restlessness and difficulty sleeping.

Powdered Ginseng

Powdered ginseng is prepared by drying the plant to extend its shelf life. It can be consumed alone or mixed with drinks. A daily intake of 200-400 mg is recommended.

Capsule Ginseng

Ginseng is also available in capsule and tablet forms, with varying amounts of ginseng in each. Always check the content information.

Ginseng Tea

Ginseng tea is made by brewing the plant, and its compounds are activated more quickly, making it a popular method of consumption. Due to this feature, both ginseng tea and herbal teas containing ginseng should be limited to 2 cups per day.

Ginseng and Sexual Health

Although studies on ginseng and sexual health are small in scale, placebo-controlled or double-blind clinical trials in this area have not yet been conducted. However, many experts believe the research involving small groups is sufficient. While these studies reveal many benefits of ginseng, they have provided mixed results regarding erectile dysfunction.

Ginseng's Sexual Benefits

Due to its frequent use in Chinese medicine, ginseng has also been the subject of research in the Western world. Animal studies have shown effective results in both treating sexual dysfunction and improving sexual behavior. Later human studies have shown similar results.

Ginseng's Benefits for Women

Although ginseng research primarily focuses on male sexual health, some studies have also been conducted on women. The results of these studies include the following:

• Studies on Korean red ginseng have shown significant improvements in women's sexual function. These improvements include increased desire, easier arousal, increased lubrication, greater sexual satisfaction, and more reliable orgasms.
• Another study on women aged 45 to 60 in the menopausal period found that consuming 1000 mg of ginseng daily reduced the severity of hot flashes and significantly improved sexual function.
• In a study where L-arginine, ginkgo, damiana, and various vitamins and minerals were used alongside ginseng, menopausal women showed twice the improvement in sexual function compared to the placebo group. A significant increase in clitoral sensitivity was also observed.
• Raw ginseng consumption has also been observed to reduce menopausal complaints and improve sexual function in women.

Ginseng's Benefits for Men

Ginseng is primarily studied for its effects on male sexual health. As a result, there are many studies proving its effectiveness. The common findings from these studies include the following:

• Improved erectile strength in cases of moderate erectile dysfunction.
• Significant improvement in overall sexual function in men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
• Increased sexual satisfaction.