9 Benefits of Korean Ginseng

What is Korean ginseng and why should everyone consider using it to improve their health?

Korean ginseng is one of many types of ginseng on the market. There are three main types of ginseng that are recorded in ancient Chinese medicine  and in herbal medicine used today. There is Ginseng, Korean ginseng and Western/American ginseng.

These three types of ginseng which are most used for healing is labeled as P. ginseng or panax ginseng. In Gray’s Manual of Botany the author denotes the term panax to mean “…from the Greek pan, ‘all’ and akos, ‘cure,’ that is all healing, a panacea, from the repute of the plants in China.” (Ying Hu, 11)

We will be covering the medicinal qualities and health benefits of Korean ginseng specifically, but the end of this article will include references of which you may use to learn about the various species within the entire scope of this plant.

This post is all about the ways in which Korean ginseng improves the human condition both physiologically and mentally.

Life-changing Benefits of Korean Ginseng

1. Aids in Respiratory Dysfunction

Korean ginseng has been shown to aid in respiratory problems such as asthma and issues resulting from infections in the respiratory pathway. P. ginseng is proven in clinical studies to suppress airway hyper-responsiveness in people dealing with allergic reactions as well as reducing airway inflammation. (Park et. al) This makes ginseng a great supplement for people suffering from respiratory illness.

2. Improves Mood Disorders

Korean ginseng improves symptoms of anxiety as well as depression. Many factors play into both of these mood disorders which affect millions of people around the world, but a major component in depression and anxiety is hormonal imbalance. Ginseng has been shown to bring the body back into balance thus promoting improved energy and in turn, boosting mood and improving the mental state. It also decreases the production of stress hormones which then prevent further imbalance with consistent use.

3. Improves Sexual Function

Korean ginseng has been shown in clinical studies to improve issues with libido as well as erectile dysfunction in men. This again may be explained by the regulation of hormones in both men and women as these sexual disorders often occur due to hormonal imbalances. Korean Ginseng was shown in dozens of studies to be significantly more effective at improving erectile dysfunction than the placebo group but ultimately more studies are being conducted to explain the physiological reactions that make this happen. Since ginseng is natural, men can try to use this natural remedy for erectile dysfunction while reaping many other health benefits.

4. Significantly Improves Blood Circulation

Korean ginseng lowers blood pressure and is known to improve vascular function. For those who suffer from circulatory issues which in turn cause some of the aforementioned problems above, Korean Ginseng is continuously living up to its name as a cure-all.

5. Increases Mental Acuity

A study conducted in Korea states “Much evidence suggests that ginseng can be effective in reducing learning deficits and memory impairment due to brain damage or aging in rodents.” (Park et. al) Ginseng has been tested many times on elderly patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia which suggest that it is a good supplement for everyone who wants to remain sharp as they age. Although these specific studies tested patients with existing conditions there is evidence to suggest that prevention of neurodegenerative disorders due to aging is possible with diet, exercise and the consumption of nootropic foods such as ginseng.

6. Boosts the Immune System

Korean ginseng is an effective agent in boosting the immune system as it has properties that help the body to regulate inflammatory mediators. These are components within the immune system that help fight viral and microbial infections. In a study entitled “Ginseng, the ‘Immunity Boost’: The Effects of Panax ginseng on Immune system” the author explains that the immune system is comprised of four parts: 1. mucus membranes, 2. cellular components known as phagocytes aka killer cells, 3. blood proteins aka inflammatory mediators, and 4. cytokines which regulate the cells of the immune system (Kang and Min, 2012). In this study, ginseng is shown to improve all four parts of this entire system which is so vital to human health. Please see the study below for an in-depth analysis on the four components of the immune system and their functions.

7. Improves Appetite

Korean ginseng can greatly improve a person’s appetite; for some who suffer from withdrawal symptoms while trying to end opiate drug addiction or for those who suffer from sickness following chemotherapy treatments, this natural remedy is good for improving appetite overall. However, it has been shown in studies that ginseng can control appetite by regulating hormones so although it does improve appetite for people having trouble eating it also helps people who have trouble overeating.

8.  Helps with Anemia

Anemia can be caused by many things such as nutritional deficiencies at a young age as well as problems with the immune system and the overall ability to absorb iron. There are a few types of anemia which range from iron-deficient anemia as well as nutritional anemia. All of the varying types of anemia deal with issues involving adequate red blood cell count as well as a problem with oxygen binding to hemoglobin in the blood. Ginseng is able to improve conditions within all the varying degrees of anemia because of the way it improves virtually every system in the body. When the function of each system improves the body is better able to communicate with respect to disease, imbalance, and disorder. Ginseng improves circulation, increases blood and hemoglobin production, improves the function of inflammatory mediators and improves the appetite as discussed earlier in this post. All of these processes contribute to the improvement of weakness in the human body by accelerating normal healing functions in cooperation with one another. Thus, reiterating the cure-all moniker it so well deserves.

9. Stimulates a Natural Boost of Energy

For people struggling with a lack of energy, Korean ginseng can be a solution for various causes. There are experiments which show that exercise performance can be greatly improved with the use of ginseng supplementation. The process of energy expenditure (how energy is used) was shown to be more effective in mice studied before and after supplementation with ginseng in various obstacles such as swimming, gripping objects and running. The result showed that ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production was increased which is essentially saying that ginseng proved in clinical studies to increase energy production and regulate energy used during activity.  (Gua-Dong Ma et. al)

Many of the health benefits mentioned in this article can also be seen in the use of other forms of ginseng outside of Korean ginseng. However there may be different levels of potency and different side effects.

There are nine benefits listed in this article but there seems to be hundreds of positive benefits that couldn’t possibly be written about in one article. If you are interested in ginseng now, please take the time to read the works cited below and share with your loved ones so they can improve their health and overall wellness.

**Disclaimer This article is not to be used as medical advice but for informational purposes only. (As with anything, please speak with your doctor about any supplements/herbal remedies prior to use. Naturopathic physicians are highly recommended.) Any doctor that discourages you from using natural, plant-based foods for healing may not be educated in healing the body as an entire system. Find a doctor that upholds their oath in your best interests and encourages dialogue about modern allopathic methods in relation to natural healing modalities.

References

Red Ginseng Monograph

Seung-Ho So, Jong Won Lee, Young-Sook Kim, Sun Hee Hyun, Chang-Kyun Han, Red ginseng monograph, Journal of Ginseng Research, Volume 42, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 549-561, ISSN 1226-8453,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2018.05.002.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1226845317303457)

The Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on Sexual Function in Premenopausal Women: Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Crossover Clinical Trial

A Double-Blind Crossover Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction: A Preliminary Report