The Benefits of Ginseng: Learn How This Well Known Cure-All Can Help You
What Is Ginseng?
Ginseng is one of the most commonly used of the Chinese herbal remedies. It has been a known cure-all for over 5000 years. While it is native to Korea and parts of China, it is widely cultivated in much of Asia. The ginseng plant takes at least six years to mature and has an unusual odor and a mildly spicy taste. There are two main varieties of the ginseng plant, white and red. The root of the white ginseng is usually peeled, dried and bleached. The roots of the red ginseng plant is treated with steam and then dried slowly in the sun. The root is used for its healing properties.
Active Ingredients of Ginseng
The active ingredients that provide the benefits of ginseng are thiamine, riboflavin, ginsenosides, saponsides and panacene. Thiamine in one of the B vitamins that is necessary for the body cells to convert carbohydrates into energy. It also assists with the functioning of the heart, the muscles and the nervous system. Riboflavin is another B vitamin that also helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy and is necessary for growth and red blood cell production. Saponsides help the body metabolize sugar and panacene strengthens the cardiovascular system.
Ginsenosides
Ginsenosides are a steroid-like compound that are thought to promote protein synthesis by the liver and break down stress inducing chemicals. They are the main ingredient in ginseng that make the benefits of ginseng so great. Ginsenosides make ginseng an excellent natural health solution for many things such as:
- Combats fatigue and exhaustion
- Helps with difficulties in concentrating and improves memory
- Boosts the immune system
- Speeds recovery time
- Enhances your mood, reduces stress and treats mild depression
- Lowers cholesterol
- Increases endurance and energy
- Prevents infection
- Reduces the effects of aging and assists with menopausal stages
- Helps diabetics control blood sugar levels
- Combats radiation damage
- Acts as an antioxidant
- Benefits Insomnia & sleep disorders
- Decreases blood coagulation
- Can improve vision and hearing
- Supports the nervous system
- Removes toxins from body
- Slows the degeneration of cells
How To Use Ginseng
You can utilize the benefits of ginseng in many ways such as a tea, a tonic, in a bath or by using commercial nutritional supplements. Of course, if you use commercial supplements it is wise to make sure you are buying them from a reputable source and do not use them for more than three months at a time as they can lead to sleep disturbance with over use. Tea can be prepared by boiling one cup of water and pouring over one teaspoon of grated ginseng. Steep for ten minutes and then strain. This tea is especially helpful for keeping elderly people more alert throughout the day. You can help prevent heart disease and raise low blood pressure by taking 20-30 drops of ginseng tonic every day. You can find this tonic in health food stores. To help relax at the end of the day and help you sleep, add grated ginseng root to your evening bath. You can also add fresh, grated ginseng root to many types of your favorite foods like soups and salads.
Disclaimer
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