Also known as Asian, Chinese, Red and Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of common ailments and conditions. No studies have demonstrated that any specific preparation offers more health benefits than others. However, healers have traditionally believed that red ginseng, which is made from matured, steamed ginseng roots, provides the most potent source of the herb's medicinally active compounds. Consult your health care provider before using ginseng supplements, particularly if you have a medical condition.
Antioxidant
According to the National Institutes of Health, red ginseng is a powerful antioxidant, which protects living tissue from highly reactive molecules known as free radicals. These dangerous compounds, produced in response to cigarette smoke, air pollution, stress and sunlight, can lead to serious medical conditions including heart disease and cancer. The NIH reports that ginseng minimizes free radical damage to low-density lipoprotein, or "bad," cholesterol. It also protects brain cells from oxidation.
Cardiovascular Support
The NIH suggests that red ginseng's antioxidant properties can help to prevent and treat several cardiovascular conditions. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, Korean ginseng may also help to reduce total and LDL cholesterol while raising levels of HDL, or "good," cholesterol. Additionally, the UMMC reports that ginseng may lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. Evidence is conflicted regarding ginseng's effect on blood pressure, with some studies suggesting that it actually worsens the condition. Do not take red ginseng without your physician's approval if you have a history of hypertension.
Mental Function
Red ginseng has been valued historically as an adaptogen, or a product that enables the body to cope with stress. According to the UMMC, Asian ginseng supplements appear to enhance mental function in people coping with emotional, physical or mental stress. Red ginseng can enhance memory, focus, concentration and problem-solving abilities. However, since mental function is subjective and difficult to quantify, scientific studies have not conclusively demonstrated this benefit.
Strength and Endurance
Athletes frequently use Asian ginseng supplements to enhance physical strength and endurance during exercise and training. Unlike steroids and stimulants, ginseng is considered to be safe for everyday use, and no major athletic organizations forbid its use as an execise enhancer. According to the UMMC, Korean ginseng supplements reduced fatigue in a study involving over 300 athletes. Other studies have yielded conflicting results.
Immune Support
The National Institutes of Health grant ginseng a "B" rating, noting that there is good scientific evidence, to support its use as an immune system stimulant. The UMMC suggests that red ginseng can trigger a healthy immune response, enabling the body to effectively fight infectious disease. Ginseng can increase the number of disease-fighting white blood cells in a person's body and may improve the efficacy of common vaccines. Consult a health care provider if you believe you have an infection which requires treatment with conventional drugs.
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