Siberian Ginseng – What is it, properties and benefits

The siberian ginseng plant has many effective properties to decrease the fatigue and stress, as well as to delay the aging process.

What is ginseng?

Ginseng is one of the most popular plants in the world due to its medicinal uses. Above all, it provides energy, a feeling of well being and cognitive support. We can choose to benefit from properties on a daily basis or in order to complete cognitive or physical tasks successfully.

It is a very popular substance used to make energy drinks. But that is not all, since it also has a series of benefits for our health.

Siberian ginseng has chemical substances that affect the brain, the immune system and certain hormones. Moreover, it could also have chemical products that fight against some bacteria and viruses, or even allergies. In addition, ginseng is incredibly capable of dealing against stress due to its adaptogen potential.

Who can benefit from ginseng?

Types of ginseng

Actually, ginseng does not refer to a particular plant or root, or even to a family. We could say that it is a collection of several herbaceous genera from all around the world. They are labelled as ginseng when they have effects on human health.

Properties of siberian ginseng

Siberian ginseng has one component called eleutherosides, which is one of its active ingredients. The leuthero senticosus or siberian ginseng has been used in China and Russia to stimulate the immune system, increase the energy and decrease the fatigue.

Many people take siberian ginseng as a toner on a daily basis. Consequently, it improves the physical capacity overall, the muscle strength and the resistance.

In fact, eleuthero has become a popular energy supply when it comes to sport. This is due to its ability to improve the resistance to muscle fatigue and enhance the performance

Benefits of siberian ginseng

Adaptogen

These are herbal ingredients with properties that support the proper functioning of the body. This is specially useful when facing unfavorable circumstances in terms of stress. Therefore, our body “will be able to adapt” and succeed in its task despite the circumstances.

Siberian ginseng supports the recovery after an exhausting workout or extreme mental effort. Its adaptogen properties are indispensable for those who face highly stressful situations or demanding physical activities.

In addition, it is extremely useful for those who work with extreme temperatures (either very high or low)

Immune system support

A direct consequence of the previous point is the immunomodulation. In other words, the stimulation of the immune system. This fact is connected to the functioning of the adrenal glands. On the contrary, they could become saturated when facing a stressful situation.

According to research, this type of ginseng could increase the lymphocytes which are the main defense of our body against infections. Some researchers believe that it can also increase the biosynthesis of interferon (a powerful chemical that stimulates the immune system). Others believe that its success is due to its natural polysaccharides (long chain sugar molecules). These elements stimulate the activity of special white cells called “macrophages”. One of their main tasks consists of breaking down infected cells and stimulating other immune cells.

These ability to strengthen the immune system could, for instance, prevent common colds throughout the year…

Mental energy

Siberian ginseng can improve our work capacity, increasing both the short and long term energy. Moreover, it can improve the circulation (vasodilating effect) increasing the oxygenation, specially to the brain. Consequently, it will enhance the alertness, memory, concentration and even mental clarity.

If you take ginseng regularly for two months, you will start noticing its effects. Many students take ginseng before exam period in order to enhance their memory and stimulate the brain functions.

Less nervousness

Those who fight against mild anxiety, nervousness or hyperactivity can benefit from its properties against stress. In addition, siberian ginseng is advised to treat psychological disorders like anxiety or depression. An infusion can be specially useful to encourage a state of relaxation regularly or occasionally.

Ginseng produces a series of alterations such as improving the mood and feeling of well being

Libido increase

This herb can be beneficial both for men and women in terms of sexual health. On the one hand, it will support a healthy menstruation and uterine tone for women. Moreover, people use it quite often in order to fight against infertility related to depression and fatigue. On the other hand, a recent study found that it can increase the free testosterone levels considerably, resulting in more quantity and motility of sperm in men.

In addition, siberian ginseng acts on the endocrine system and the production of different hormones. It stimulates the activity of the sex glands, so we could say that it has aphrodisiac effects.

Fatigue relief

People who suffer mild or moderate fatigue due to a disease, sleep problems or emotional problems can also benefit from siberian ginseng. According to a study published in “Medicina China” in October 2009, the leaf and stem of eleutherococcus senticosus can help with this. The study concluded that it can significantly decrease the fatigue in animals, increasing their physical capacities. The researchers believe that it can have similar benefits for human beings. In fact, they suggest that the plant extract can improve the synthesis of proteins and muscle growth, which could decrease the fatigue even further.

For allergies

Each year, there are more and more people who are allergic to either natural or synthetic substances.

Moreover, many people suffer hay fever each spring. This can have serious consequences, from discomfort to not being able to go to work or having a social life.

A 4 week clinical study conducted on people with rhinitis (hay fever) the participants took ginseng and a placebo.

Siberian ginseng or eleutherococcus senticosus intake

Root and stem extracts are the most common form of Siberian ginseng supplementation, in doses of around 400mg.

For periods of increased fatigue or stress, you can take Siberian ginseng for 3 months, followed by 3 to 4 weeks off. In any case, consult your doctor about whether to start taking Siberian ginseng.

Siberian Ginseng is also available in Infusions

Why take ginseng?

Contraindications of ginseng

Using herbs is a natural remedy or alternative to strengthen the body and treat some pathologies. However, herb extracts have components that can trigger side effects. Moreover, they can interact with other herbs, supplements or medicines. That is why we need to be careful when taking herbs, always under medical supervision, specially if we are following a treatment.

An excessively high dose can cause diarrhea

Ginseng does not cause addiction, so you can take it for a very long time without any risk.

Siberian ginseng is generally regarded as safe when we follow the instructions of use

Who should not take ginseng?

However, taking ginseng is completely unadvised in the following cases: hypertension, sleep apnea, heart diseases, mental diseases (schizophrenia), pregnancy or lactation, autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease).

Interaction with ginseng

Panax ginseng cannot be used by pregnant or lactating women, since it can affect the fetus or baby.

Moreover, those who use anticoagulants should not take ginseng either, because it can alter the blood pressure. The same happens with those who suffer heart problems. It is not advisable to combine other stimulants with ginseng, since it already provides enough energy.

However, ginseng can be combined safely with the following supplements: turmeric, garlic and guarana will enhance its positive effects.

Where can I buy ginseng?

Bibliography

• umm.edu
• examine.com
• Zhao Q, Zhao N, Ye X, He M, Yang Y, Gao H, Zhang X. Rapid discrimination between red and white ginseng based on unique mass-spectrometric features. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2018 Oct 3;164:202-210. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2018.10.007.
• Tam JP, Nguyen GKT, Loo S, Wang S, Yang D, Kam A. Ginsentides: Cysteine and Glycine-rich Peptides from the Ginseng Family with Unusual Disulfide Connectivity. Sci Rep. 2018 Nov 1;8(1):16201. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-33894-x.
• Hu S, Wu Y, Zhao B, Hu H, Zhu B, Sun Z, Li P, Du S. Panax notoginseng Saponins Protect Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells against Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reperfusion-Induced Barrier Dysfunction via Activation of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 Antioxidant Signaling Pathway. Molecules. 2018 Oct 26;23(11). pii: E2781. doi: 10.3390/molecules23112781.
• Li D, Ren JW, Zhang T, Liu R, Wu L, Du Q, Li Y. Anti-fatigue effects of small-molecule oligopeptides isolated from Panax quinquefolium L. in mice. Food Funct. 2018 Aug 15;9(8):4266-4273. doi: 10.1039/c7fo01658a.

Related Entries:

• What are Adaptogen Plants?
• Rhodiola Rosea, A Sport Adaptogen
• Effect of Nootropics
• Introducing avena sativa