Korean ginseng – a natural adaptogen with rich properties

Korean ginseng is widely recognised around the world as one of the most powerful plants with tonic and regenerative properties. Used for centuries in traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese medicine, it has many health benefits. Used as a remedy for various ailments, Korean ginseng has become a popular dietary supplement in Europe and Poland. Does it really work? What properties of the plant are worth knowing more about?

Korean ginseng – what is it?

Korean ginseng, traditionally known as Panax ginseng, is a plant native to the Far East. It occurs naturally in China, the Korean peninsula and south-eastern Siberia. It is treated by local communities as an important herb with adaptogenic properties. In natural medicine, it is consumed orally in the form of tea and tinctures. The current popularity of the plant has also led to its use in dietary supplements in the form of tablets made from powdered Korean ginseng.

Today, ginseng is mainly cultivated in Korea, which accounts for the largest share of the production of supplements based on individual parts of the plant. The root, which contains important active substances, is characterised by its thick shape and fleshy content.

Korean ginseng – health properties

The root of Korean ginseng, as well as the serrated, small green leaves of the plant, are known for their energising, revitalising and immune system stimulating properties. They correlate with the simultaneous aphrodisiac and balancing effect on the body's homeostasis, contributing to the overall improvement of the body's health.

Panax ginseng belongs to a group of plants collectively referred to as natural adaptogens. This means that it has a real regulatory function in the metabolism of the human body, ensuring the well-being of all metabolic processes. This is due to the plant's main active molecules, known as ginsenosides. These are substances belonging to the saponin family, characteristic of various species of ginseng.

In addition to these, the root also contains large amounts of natural ingredients such as:

• Fatty acids
• Polysaccharides
• Glycosides
• Triterpenoids
• Phytoestrogens
• Vitamins B, C and E
• Zinc
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Copper
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Calcium
• Manganese

It is this wide range of active ingredients, vitamins and trace elements that is responsible for the plant's wealth of health properties.

Korean ginseng – what ailments and conditions does it help with?

Among the most important benefits of Korean ginseng are:

• Improving physical and mental performance – regular consumption of ginseng-based products has a beneficial effect on improving our physical and mental performance. This means that it can affect our physical and emotional resilience, ensuring a pleasant sense of well-being throughout the day.
• Relieves fatigue – the plant's excellent adaptogenic properties support the balance of the body's metabolic processes. In this way, it is also useful in relieving chronic fatigue resulting from overwork or stressful experiences.
• Purifies the blood – Korean ginseng helps purify the blood. It detoxifies the body by eliminating toxins in the blood in a completely natural way. It improves the quality of red blood cells and accelerates proper blood flow.
• Strengthens the immune system – the plant has a positive effect on convalescence during transitional periods when we often suffer from colds or flu. Improving immune function protects the body against the harmful effects of bacteria and viruses.
• Improves sexual function – it is widely known that Korean ginseng is a useful remedy for improving the body's reproductive functions. It helps restore lost libido and vitality in both men and women.
• Lowers high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels – regular ginseng supplementation is particularly useful in lowering blood pressure and assisting internal processes in eliminating bad LDL cholesterol that accumulates in the body's arteries and veins.
• Calms the nervous system – in addition to relieving fatigue and improving overall body performance, Korean ginseng also has a calming effect on the nervous system. This is particularly useful in cases of chronic stress, which directly weakens the immune system.

Korean ginseng and improved sexual performance – does it work?

Panax ginseng is widely used in traditional pharmacopoeia, especially for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and improvement of sexual sensation. A number of clinical studies have determined the actual effect of Korean ginseng on libido compared to placebo drugs.

For this reason, supplementation with Korean ginseng at a dose of 500 to 2000 mg per day significantly improves the functionality of the intimate organs, characterised by a significant improvement in sexual arousal and libido. What is more, regular consumption of extracts from the plant helps prevent premature ejaculation in men and also improves sexual function in postmenopausal women.

Korean ginseng – how to use it?

There are various ways to enjoy the benefits of Korean ginseng. The most popular forms of use include:

• Korean ginseng tablets – definitely one of the most convenient and common options. The tablets are easy to dose and, what is more, they are tasteless, so people who are hypersensitive to the characteristic taste of the plant root can safely take tablets containing the same active ingredients found in the plant.
• Ginseng tea – another useful option, and above all, a more homely one. Tea prepared from the root of the plant is suitable for consumption before a meal, improving the body's metabolism on all levels. Simply pour the equivalent of a litre of water into a saucepan and boil chopped pieces of Korean ginseng root for about 15 minutes. The tea is served in traditional cups.

The appropriate dosage of Korean ginseng depends on individual predispositions, needs and diseases that we want to influence at a preventive level. The recommended dosage ranges from:

• Strengthening the immune system – dosage of 100 mg to 200 mg twice a day in capsule form.
• Fatigue, convalescence, stimulation of sexual function – 200 mg to 2000 mg of the product in capsule or tea form.

While traditional Chinese and Korean medicine does not specify a maximum duration for Korean ginseng supplementation, from a medical perspective, it is recommended to use ginseng-based products for a period of 2 to 3 months.

Korean ginseng – user reviews and price

The most frequently mentioned reason for taking Korean ginseng supplements by its users is its noticeable effect in combating fatigue. This effect has been confirmed by numerous studies, which indeed indicate the positive effect of ginseng extracts in improving energy and vigour. Some athletes use it in combination with caffeinated energy drinks due to its visible improvement in endurance and physical performance.

Another important aspect of Korean ginseng is its natural aphrodisiac effect. Ginseng is known to contain phytoestrogens, which are a plant form of oestrogen. Phytoestrogens can affect the typical effects of oestrogen in both men and women, increasing libido and affecting the functionality of the reproductive organs.

Many people also admit to taking ginseng regularly to help them stay mentally alert and focused during mentally demanding work, e.g. in the office.

The price of Korean ginseng-based products depends largely on the production process, the margin set by the manufacturer, and the methods used to cultivate the root. However, the price of products containing Korean ginseng usually ranges from PLN 15 to PLN 60, depending on the concentration of active substances and their quality.

Bibliography

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‘Effect of St John's wort and ginseng on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects’ – X. Jiang et al., British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Macmillan Journals, 2004.

‘Effects of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) on neurocognitive function: an acute, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study’ – A. Scholey et al., scientific journal Psychopharmacology, Springer, 2010.

‘Panax ginseng (G115) improves aspects of working memory performance and subjective ratings of calmness in healthy young adults’ – J. L. Reay, A. Scholey, D. O. Kennedy, Human Psychopharmacology, Wiley, 2010.

‘Antifatigue effects of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial’ – H-G. Kim et al., PLoS One scientific journal, PLoS, 2013.

‘A placebo-controlled trial of a proprietary extract of North American ginseng (CVT-E002) to prevent acute respiratory illness in institutionalised older adults’ – J. E. McElhaney et al., Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Wiley, 2004.

‘Effects of Ginseng on Fertility’ – B. H. Yun et al., scientific journal BioMedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, BioMed Central, 2018.