Ginseng is becoming an increasingly popular medicine in the western world. Even before the massive popularity surge of natural medicines, ginseng was widely recognized as a powerful energy stimulant, libido booster, and cognitive enhancer.
The medicine has been a part of traditional Chinese remedy for many centuries, if not thousands of years. There are several different forms of ginseng that share many similar benefits. In this article, we’ll be talking about Korean red ginseng, one of the lesser-known but equally powerful variants of this medicine.
What is Korean red ginseng?
Korean red ginseng is one of the many varieties of ginseng; a traditional Asian medicine that’s known to provide a number of impressive benefits. Ginseng is known for growing quite slowly, and different types of ginseng are harvested at different ages.
White and fresh ginseng are harvested between 4 and 6 years of age, whereas red ginseng is generally not harvested until after it’s been growing for six years. The reason that the plants have slightly differing medicinal properties is that they have different medicinal compounds in them.
This is a result of their growing conditions. Just like with any plants, the nutritional content of the plant will vary depending on the soil that it’s grown in, the weather, and the way it’s processed. Asian ginseng, such as Korean red ginseng, is generally believed to function as more of a stimulant than American forms of ginseng.
Most forms of ginseng contain two primary active ingredients: ginsenosides and gintonin, both of which
work together to create the health benefits that ginseng is known for. Korean red ginseng and its extracts are often considered to be the most potent form of all the different types of ginseng.
How it was used in traditional medicine
Ginseng remains very popular in traditional Chinese medicine, which is a testament to its efficacy. People have been using it to promote a number of different aspects of health, and it was prescribed by medical practitioners for a number of different ailments.
Traditional practitioners recognized the importance of using medicines properly, and for this reason, they would tell their patients to use ginseng in different ways depending on what their ailments were.
Some of the most common ways to use the herb were:
It is generally believed by many systems of ancient medicine that chewing a medicinal herb - most often the roots or leaves - is one of the most effective ways to get the benefits of the medicine. Modern medicine has supported this belief with the understanding that sublingual absorption is one of the most potent ways to ingest a medicine.
The Western view of this is that the medicine is more effective because it’s delivered straight into the bloodstream through the veins under the tongue. Traditional medicine believes that the act of chewing the root brings you into closer contact with the spirit of the plant and allows you to build a deeper healing connection.
- Korean red ginseng extract
Some practitioners would make various forms of extracts of Korean ginseng when chewing the fresh root was not a good option. They would make tinctures, poultices, and other forms of liquid extract that could deliver hefty doses of the medicine to their patients.
Some practitioners would dry and crush Korean red ginseng root. This allowed it to be stored for long periods of time and was good for practitioners who were unable to obtain fresh root.
Traditional practitioners used the medicine for similar things as we do today: as an energy tonic, to help boost sexual function and performance, to boost memory and to enhance immunity. More on this in the section below.
Korean red ginseng benefits for health
There are so many benefits attributed to korean red ginseng that it’d be hard to list them all in a single article. Here are some of the most powerful and well-studied effects of korean red ginseng.
One of the reasons that Korean red ginseng has been so popular throughout the years is because of the way that it
fights inflammation. Inflammation is believed to be at the root of most diseases, so eliminating it at its source is a great way to boost immunity and ward off a number of dangerous ailments.
Korean red ginseng extract also works to fight inflammation because of its capacity as an antioxidant. As an additional benefit, this means that it will help to ward off the damage caused by oxidation - this can prevent diseases like cancer and chronic conditions like eczema.
- Enhances cognitive ability
Korean red ginseng extract is included in a number of nootropic formulas - supplements that are designed to improve mental health and cognitive ability. Many studies have been done in the area and have confirmed that Korean red ginseng helps to
boost mental performance. Interestingly, according to the study above, Korean red ginseng has a self-limiting effect. Subjects experienced more improvement when they were using dosages of 200 mg instead of 400 mg.
- Fights erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction has many causes, but Korean red ginseng has been shown to help fight erectile dysfunction caused by a number of things. In fact, the medicine has proven in
some studies to be even more effective than prescribed medications used to treat the same issue. More on that below.
One of the most popular uses of ginseng was, and still is, boosting the immune system. Our immune system is our body’s primary defense mechanism, and strengthening it helps to ensure that we’re better protected against diseases, viruses, and illness. Korean red ginseng extract has even been proven to help boost the immune systems of people who are struggling with advanced stomach cancer.
One of the most impressive things about Korean red ginseng is that it can help to reduce the chances of developing some types of cancer. This is, in part, due to its ability to help fight inflammation as well as its potent antioxidant capacity.
One of the most popular uses of Korean red ginseng extract is as an energy tonic. Ginseng works differently than more common stimulants such as caffeine because it provides the body with sustainable, long-term energy instead of a quick, hard-hitting boost of energy.
A review of studies done on many different ginseng supplements revealed that they can be immensely useful at helping to fight chronic fatigue while boosting physical performance in a number of different areas.
- Helps regulate blood sugar
Another important thing that Korean red ginseng can do is help people manage their blood sugar levels. This is important in helping to manage or prevent the development of conditions like diabetes. Subjects using the herb experienced an 11% decrease in their overall blood sugar levels and a 33% improvement to their insulin sensitivity.
Does red ginseng extract have side effects?
Even with reliable, healthy herbs like Korean red ginseng, it’s important to be aware of any potential side effects or interactions.
Fortunately, Korean red ginseng side effects are not common and are generally not severe. Highly sensitive people may experience some of the following if they use ginseng for a long time or at high doses:
- Changes to their menstrual pattern
- Elevated heart rate and higher blood pressure
- Headaches
- Diarrhea or digestion issues
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
It’s also important to make sure that you don’t mix your ginseng with anything that could adversely interact with it. It’s possible that some commonly used medications may interfere or exacerbate some of the side effects of Korean red ginseng extract. If you’re taking any of the following, you should ask your doctor if it’s safe to use Korean red ginseng.
- Medication that raises or lowers blood pressure, blood thinners
- Monoamine oxidase inhibiting drugs, or MAOIs
- Any other stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine
- Drugs that target or affect your immune system
- Medications for diabetics
You may also want to avoid mixing ginseng with other common stimulants like caffeine because the effects can become quite powerful.
Red ginseng libido, testosterone, and erectile dysfunction benefits
Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which a man has a hard time sustaining or getting an erection. There are a lot of different reasons that men can experience erectile dysfunction.
Physical conditions like diabetes, nerve or heart problems, and blood pressure issues can contribute to erectile dysfunction, as can psychological or emotional issues like anxiety or unaddressed trauma. Even lifestyle changes such as weight loss or changes to an exercise routine can contribute to the problem.
Many people are able to manage their erectile dysfunction by making certain lifestyle or dietary changes, but this isn’t always enough. Fortunately, Korean red ginseng extracts have shown remarkable potential for helping to treat ED.
There are a number of reasons for this.
has been linked to increased levels of testosterone. Testosterone levels are highly linked to our libido and sex drive, and some men who experience low levels of testosterone have a hard time maintaining an erection or becoming sexually aroused whatsoever. After taking Ginseng testosterone levels are often higher than the average.
has been shown to be useful in warding off anxiety. Though this particular study was done on rats, countless patients, practitioners and everyday people have reported improvements to their anxiety thanks to the use of ginseng.
This is important because many people experience erectile dysfunction as a result of anxiety. Reducing anxiety in a holistic manner can help to fight off erectile dysfunction.
As mentioned, erectile dysfunction can be caused by a number of physical problems. Since Korean red ginseng extract functions so well at fighting so many diseases and at regulating stress and blood sugar, it can help to correct physical issues that might be contributing to erectile dysfunction.
Ways to use Korean red ginseng with other ingredients for even better effects
Korean red ginseng works fantastic on its own, but it can be even more powerful if it’s mixed with other ingredients that can enhance its effects. For example, many of the ingredients found in the supplement Testogen - which contains Korean red ginseng extract -can synergize to provide a more powerful effect than any ingredient on its own.
Magnesium is an important nutrient for regulating blood pressure and relaxing muscles, making it ideal for helping people manage erectile dysfunction - especially when combined with ginseng.
Fenugreek isn’t just used in curries, the herb has also been shown to help improve libido and
sexual performance in men. Korean ginseng libido benefits are also impressive, and the two work very well together to enhance libido.
Zinc is a very important mineral for sexual health and male fertility, and the benefits of Korean red ginseng will be accentuated a lot if a person has a healthy amount of zinc in their diet.
Testogen also contains ingredients such as vitamin B6, boron, and nettle leaf extract, all of which can work together to amplify Korean red ginseng benefits.
Conclusion
Korean red ginseng is a powerful herb that’s been used for centuries to help boost energy, libido, and cognitive performance. It has withstood scientific studies, and now many supplement companies are working to include this herb in their formulas.
Hopefully you understand more about this herb now and can see why it would be a great supplement to include in your stack for sexual health.
Read also: The Pine Pollen Testosterone Connection You Should Know About >>
