Ginseng Supplements - what you should know!
Ginseng is a useful remedy for tiredness and can improve cognitive thinking. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.Ginseng helps to relieve stress, which leads to a happier life and it can slow down the aging process and help those who suffer from allergies. Packed with amino acids, B vitamins and more, the range of ginseng benefits are vast.
Ginseng has been known in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. Panax ginseng, also known as Asian or Korean ginseng, is one of the most extensively studied plants in the world.
Its active ingredients, which are primarily saponins, can contribute to better health and well-being.
There is a wide selection of products, ranging from ginseng tea to ginseng extract in powder or capsule form, as well as tablets. Would you like to learn more before buying ginseng? In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know.
What can ginseng do for you?
- Strength and vitality: In Asia, ginseng has long been known as a tonic for fatigue and weakness. Ginseng tea and other ginseng preparations can be used to address lethargy, fatigue, and exhaustion. With ginseng root, you can help strengthen your body and support your well-being.
- Concentration and attention: Studies show that the ginsenosides contained in ginseng extract can benefit concentration and attention. According to the monograph of Commission E, a scientific expert commission, Panax ginseng can be used for declining mental performance and concentration disorders.
- Memory: Korean ginseng primarily targets working memory performance. Especially if you frequently engage in mentally demanding activities, you can support your cognitive performance with ginseng tea or ginseng capsules.
- Libido: Several studies report an increased libido when taking ginseng extract. Researchers also confirm ginseng’s positive effect on male stamina.
- Heart health: Ginseng tea and other ginseng supplements regulate the activity of the hormone leptin in the body and also have a positive effect on blood lipid levels. Elevated leptin activity, as well as high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, are considered risk factors. Ginseng can thus make an important contribution to cardiovascular health.
Buying ginseng – what should you look for?
The wide variety of different products and ginseng types makes choosing a ginseng supplement difficult. In this section, you will find important information to help you when buying ginseng:
- Products and dosage forms
- Ingredients and dosage
- Usage and tolerability
- Additives and allergens
- Value for money
- Satisfaction guarantee
1. Products and dosage forms
You may have already noticed that the term “ginseng” is used to describe not only different dosage forms but also different plant species. For example, both Korean ginseng and Siberian ginseng are simply referred to as “ginseng.” However, these two plant species have different active ingredients and therefore different effects.
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) belongs to the Araliaceae family and is classified as an adaptogen. Adaptogens can stimulate the body’s own resilience in stressful situations. However, if you wish to support your memory or mental performance, you should opt for Korean ginseng.
Another distinction is made between white ginseng and red ginseng. Both forms come from the same plant (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). The roots are simply preserved in different ways.
White ginseng is dried immediately after harvest and sold as a dried root for ginseng tea or ground into ginseng powder. Red ginseng undergoes an additional treatment with hot steam, which causes it to turn reddish. This process destroys certain enzymes and other compounds.
There is also a wide variety of dosage forms available. Learn more about the pros and cons here:
Ginseng tea can be brewed from fresh or dried roots. The ginsenosides in ginseng are water-soluble and therefore dissolve into the tea water. Other compounds, however, are not water-soluble and remain in the ginseng root. This is, of course, a clear disadvantage.
Additionally, with ginseng tea, you never know exactly how much active ingredient it contains. The concentration of active ingredients varies depending on the tea’s quality, variety, and preparation method. Therefore, you can only ensure a specific amount of active ingredient by using a ginseng capsule or ginseng powder with a standardized active ingredient content.
Ginseng powder consists of Panax ginseng that has been dried and then ground. It therefore contains all the important active ingredients. Powder is particularly well-suited for people who cannot or do not want to swallow tablets or capsules. However, the powder is more difficult to dose than capsules or tablets.
Ginseng tablets contain a standardized amount of ginseng, provided it is a high-quality product. To convert the powder into tablet form, it must be compressed under high pressure. Many tablets also contain undesirable additives such as magnesium stearate or talc, as well as coating agents, to ensure the desired shape is achieved and remains stable.
Capsules do not have this disadvantage. Here, the pure powder is filled into a capsule. No additives are necessary for this. In addition, the capsules dissolve more quickly and, above all, completely in the digestive tract, allowing for rapid absorption of the ginseng’s active ingredients. Most people also find capsules easier to swallow than tablets of the same size. Ginseng capsules therefore often perform better in practical tests.
Ginseng juice is often used synonymously with the term “tonic.” A tonic is an alcohol extract. So, strictly speaking, it is not actually ginseng juice, but rather ginseng liquor. This form of administration is not recommended. The alcohol content is very high, and the active ingredient content is relatively low compared to the extract. Additionally, most tonics contain many additives.
2. Ingredients and Dosage
Both red and white ginseng contain numerous health-promoting ingredients. The so-called ginsenosides are of particular importance. Most of the medicinal effects are attributed to these saponins.
You should therefore buy red or white ginseng that has the highest possible standardized ginsenoside content. In Germany, all ginseng products must have a ginsenoside content of at least 1.5%. High-dose ginseng preparations contain more than 20% ginsenosides.
The exact dosage recommendations always depend on the type of ginseng, the dosage form, and the active ingredient content. For prevention and to alleviate mild symptoms, a daily intake of 200 to 400 mg of ginseng is recommended.
3. Administration and Tolerability
Ginseng is generally well tolerated. Side effects such as headaches or nausea occur only extremely rarely. Experience shows that ginseng is best tolerated when taken with meals.
4. Additives and Allergens
When purchasing ginseng tablets, capsules, or powder, ensure they contain as few additives or allergens as possible. These include, for example, colorants, preservatives, lactose, gluten, and soy.
If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, also check before purchasing that the capsule shell of ginseng capsules is not made of gelatin.
5. Value for money
The quality of the ginseng root, the duration of growth, and the active ingredient content significantly influence the price. Not only with ginseng tea, but also with ginseng powder, ginseng tablets, or ginseng capsules, an excessively low price usually indicates inferior quality.
6. Satisfaction Guarantee
Dietary supplements, including ginseng, are safe up to a certain dosage and are generally very well tolerated. Even if the product is of the highest quality, some people may still experience intolerance. In this case, it is a significant advantage to purchase from a supplier that offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ginseng Supplements
At first, ginseng root tastes rather bitter, but the flavor gradually becomes sweeter. That is why the taste of ginseng is often compared to licorice root, which has a slightly bitter flavor.
The price of ginseng depends, in part, on how it is processed. White ginseng is generally more expensive than red ginseng. The form of the product also plays a role in the price. Caution is advised with products that are unusually cheap. These are often ginseng supplements with low active ingredient content or many additives.
You can purchase Panax ginseng capsules and other ginseng products online from various shops, such as ours. Ginseng is also available at pharmacies or health food stores. Ginseng tea is also sold at tea shops or herbal stores.
Ginseng should be avoided if you are hypersensitive to it, as well as during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The same applies to children. If you have a medical condition or are taking medications (e.g., antidiabetics), you should not take ginseng, or only do so after consulting a doctor.
The same contraindications apply to red ginseng as to traditional ginseng. If in doubt, always consult a doctor.
A high-quality ginseng supplement—such as the bioactive Ginseng Vital 270 mg capsules—is characterized by a standardized ginsenoside content, the absence of unwanted additives, and a gentle extraction process.
If you are unsure whether ginseng suits your individual needs, you should always consult a doctor. Additionally, the recommended dosage should not be exceeded.
Ginseng can be taken as a course of treatment twice a year for 3 months or daily, provided there are no contraindications.
The recommended intake depends on the specific product. Generally, it is recommended to drink up to 2 cups of ginseng tea per day if well tolerated.
It is recommended to take dietary supplements containing ginseng with a glass of water before breakfast.
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), the ginsenosides found in ginseng are attributed with various properties. However, these effects are not substantiated from the perspective of conventional medicine.
The number of ginseng capsules to be taken daily depends on the specific product. For the product Ginseng Vital 270 mg, the recommendation is to take 1 capsule per day.
It is recommended to take 270 mg (54 mg ginsenosides) daily—equivalent to 1 capsule of Ginseng Vital 270 mg.
Ginseng is one of the best known and most popular medicinal plants in Asia and is also becoming increasingly important in Europe. The versatile effects of the root are increasingly becoming the focus of scientific and medical research. Ginseng is traditionally used to treat menopausal symptoms, memory problems, and erectile dysfunction.
Ginseng owes its health-promoting effects to its active ingredients, known as ginsenosides. These natural active ingredients support the body and mind by providing energy, promoting concentration, and strengthening the immune system. Whether as tea, extract, or dietary supplement, ginseng offers a natural way to increase vitality and well-being.