Ginseng is a perennial plant from the Araliaceae family, native to China and Korea. It is usually between 30 and 50 cms in length and is recognisable by its whiteish flowers and small red berries.
Its scientific name is Panax ginseng, Panax meaning “all-healing” in Greek. Ginseng (which means “man-root” in Mandarin) is pronounced with a ‘soft g’ as in ‘jinseng’.
In Korea, it is usually known as insam, meaning “man-shaped root“. After a few years’ growth, ginseng root can indeed come to resemble a human body with two arms and legs ...
An essential ingredient of the Asian pharmacopoeia, ginseng root (or rhizome) has a very long history of use - as much as 4000+ years. Practitioners of Chinese medicine have always considered ginseng to be a Qi tonic (“vital energy»).
Chinese emperors, noblemen and the Imperial guards in particular, benefited from its many medicinal properties. From the 18th century onwards, ginseng root was also available in the West, where it was used as a pick-me-up, aphrodisiac and stimulant.
A plant recognised for its multiple benefits, ginseng helps to maintain:
Its exceptional properties have made ginseng root a natural choice for formulation into a dietary supplement. Ideally, opt for a supplement such as Ginseng 30%, known for its high content of active ingredients (30% ginsenosides).
Ginseng’s diverse benefits are the result of its content in:
Ginseng is best taken in the morning because of its stimulant effect. You should not exceed 2g (2000mg) a day. We recommend taking ginseng for no longer than 3 months in succession. If you want to extend the supplementation period, take a one-week break every 3 weeks.
If you suffer fromhypertension, heart problems or are taking anticoagulants, please consult your doctor before starting a course of ginseng supplements.
Other dietary supplements that can be taken in combination with ginseng include:
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