Ginseng

What is it

Root of Asian origin, there is the Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Siberian (called eleutherococcus), but the best is said to be the Korean red one.

The botanical name is Panax ginseng as to emphasize that it has always been considered a remedy for any kind of problem. It is only, in fact, in very recent years that science has tried to find out what the miraculous effects attributed to this precious root were due to.

Ginseng root seems to have several beneficial properties for the body, from improving cognitive abilities, memory and concentration, to its use as a stimulant of energy metabolism.

Today, you can find Ginseng extract in many blends, at the bar or even at coffee vending machines. This in fact has an intense, sweet taste, and perfect for enriching hot drinks, especially those accompanied by hazelnut.

Activities

Ginseng acts as a tonic in states of psychophysical fatigue. From the studies carried out it seems to stimulate the endocrine system to release specific hormones that alleviate the symptoms of mental and physical fatigue.

It promotes the muscular oxidation of fatty acids, improves the performance of aerobic muscle work, tissue oxygenation and breathing, shortening recovery times.

It helps maintain constant blood glucose levels by releasing more energy. For these beneficial effects on the body and its energy management, ginseng is also used as a supplement in sports. Not surprisingly, it is possible to find single-dose capsules on the market, which contain the extract.

It enhances memory and increases the activity of the central nervous system by acting on the cholinergic system, makes responses faster, improving learning skills, mood and attention.

It also increases the levels of certain neurotransmitters (dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline) in the brain, with antidepressant, euphoric and psychostimulating action.

However, despite its functionality, ginseng is not a drug and should not be understood as a substitute for medicines, especially in the case of anxiolytic and antidepressant therapies.

Why is it used

Ginseng is used in moments of fatigue and psychic and organic wasting.

It improves sports performance and can be useful at times when it is necessary to face a greater effort. An athlete can also take advantage of ginseng in the morning, during breakfast, as a drink or inside a cappuccino, for example.

It can be used to stimulate memory and learning, in case of school or work stress and when you feel down. In the elderly, it can be a simple and natural way to improve concentration skills, and an aid to stimulation of the mind.

In addition, as already mentioned, ginseng is a natural remedy against anxiety and depression, as well as a support for the immune system.

Finally, recent studies have shown the effectiveness of ginseng in people suffering from diabetes, and in improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

How to use it

Ginseng should be taken in cycles of three months with about a month of pause between each cycle.

You take 40-50 mg of dry extract per day which must be titrated in ginsenosides at least 1.5%.

It should be taken in the morning, preferably upon waking up and should never be taken in the afternoon or evening to avoid insomnia.

Even the simultaneous intake of coffee is not advisable: ginseng and caffeine, due to their psychostimulant nature, could cause side effects, especially in case of excessive consumption and overdose.

Effects

In those who are particularly sensitive it can cause irritability, insomnia, agitation, tachycardia and tremor in the limbs. It should therefore be used with caution.

Particular attention must be paid to drug interactions, but not only. Very often, in fact, ginseng is used in drinks with excessive sweetness, which could also contain other sweeteners (caramel, fructose, granulated sugar). If sugar consumption is excessed, this could cause blood sugar spikes.

Similar considerations must be made for lactose: if ginseng is used in milk-based drinks, these could be unpleasant and difficult to digest for intolerant subjects.

Finally, it is important to take into account the caloric intake: ginseng drinks and sweeteners contained in them may have unbalanced nutritional values, with a very rich amount of carbohydrates.

Precautions

Ginseng is not recommended in some cases:

With regard to pregnancy in particular, it is not recommended because it can interfere with the development of the fetus and give malformations.

Interactions

Ginseng may interact with anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin, digoxin and tricyclic antidepressants, and phenalazine sulfate. It also interacts with corticosteroids and estrogens increasing their effect.

Before taking ginseng, especially in the form of a supplement, it is always good to consult your doctor and nutritionist, who will be able to indicate the doses that best suit your needs.