Health Benefits of Ginseng
Known for medicinal property in the East, Ginseng, dubbed as the king of Chinese herbs, this slow-growing perennial plant has been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Ginseng is an umbrella term for a wide variety of plants that is short and has a fleshy root. Among the wide varieties of Ginseng, but the most popular are American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). The plant has been a subject for various scientific studies for many many years, focusing on its efficacy and treatment for a wide range of diseases related to humans. Because of its reputation in the east, Ginseng is now gaining traction and some acceptance in western medicine.
Ginseng contains a mixture of glycosides, essential oils, and a variety of complex carbohydrates and phytosterols as well as amino acids and trace minerals (Duke, 1989), and each active compound differs in concentrations based on different varieties. But the most common among varieties are ginsenosides and gintonin (Im, D. S., & Nah, S. Y.2013). While more scientific studies regarding its efficacy in treating a wide variety of diseases, the compounds found in Ginseng have exhibited some promising results.
Here are 5 benefits of Ginseng;
- Anti-Carcinogenic Properties – When it comes to cancer treatment, there are a variety of ways such as chemotherapy, radiation, etc. But when it comes to preventing cancer, early diagnosis increases the chances of survival. Among the promising candidates for preventing cancer is ginseng. ginseng, P. quinquefolius, Panax japonicus are the varieties that are commonly used for their medicinal properties. People that consume ginseng preparations are at lower risk of cancers in the stomach, lung, liver, pancreas, ovaries, colon, and oral cavity (Yun, 2003).
- Effective for Pain Management – Although there are limited human clinical data, there is a study that shows the efficacy of compounds in ginseng is comparable to analgesics that are used to manage pain in patients suffering from fibromyalgia patients (Totsch, Waite, & Sorge, 2015).
- Great for Patients suffering from Heart Failure – When people are said to be suffering from heart failure, it means that the heart isn’t functioning properly or it doesn’t efficiently pump blood anymore. Red ginseng contains digoxin, and digoxin plus, which has been found to show some blood flow improvement in patients suffering from heart failure. (Khan, 2007). It is also used for myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and angina pectoris; however, current evidence does not support its use for cardiovascular conditions (Siegel, 1979).
- Relieves Hypertension – Ginseng, specifically Red Ginseng has also been shown to offer some relief for patients suffering from hypertension. It does this by decreasing systolic blood pressure significantly after 8 weeks of administration. (Khan, 2007).
- Can Possibly help lower blood sugar levels – Even if the person doesn’t suffer from diabetes, ginseng seems to have a beneficial effect when it comes to lowering blood sugar levels in the body, both in diabetic and non-diabetic. (L; Ginseng on hyperglycemia: effects and mechanisms 2009). But of course, more studies and clinical trials need to be done, because of the different discrepancies when it comes to laboratory tests performed in some studies.
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