Ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng (or the ‘universal remedy’)
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 ...
The favourite plant of Chinese emperors
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.
Ginseng’s benefits for immunity, cognition and vitality
A plant recognised for its multiple benefits, ginseng helps to maintain:
- the immune system (1-2) ;
- good cognitive performance. It plays a role in maintaining normal circulation which is associated with healthy brain reactivity and performance. It thus supports optimal mental and cognitive activity, and in particular, memory (3-4) ;
- normal blood sugar levels, as part of a healthy lifestyle (5) ;
- a healthy sex life (6) ;
- vitality and attention, by combatting fatigue. Ginseng helps to maintain physical and mental capacity in cases of weakness, exhaustion, fatigue and loss of concentration (7-8).
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).
What is responsible for ginseng root’s medicinal properties?
Ginseng’s diverse benefits are the result of its content in:
- ginsenosides, saponosides with a steroid-like structure, also known as ‘panaxosides’. As the main active ingredients in ginseng, ginsenosides may, in particular, help to regulate several ion channels of the central nervous system. Once digested, the molecules generated by ginsenosides may also promote interaction between dendritic cells and T lymphocytes. It’s worth noting that ginseng is the one and only source of ginsenosides (9) ;
- triterpenoids (including protopanaxadiol) ;
- essential oil with monoterpenes ;
- fatty acids ;
- polysaccharides ;
- sterols ;
- vitamins (B, C and E) ;
- and minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium...)
How to obtain maximum benefit from ginseng
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.
Some synergistic supplements
Other dietary supplements that can be taken in combination with ginseng include:
- zinc, an essential trace-element which supports normal immune system and cognitive function (Zinc Orotate) ;
- reishi, the benefits of which were also enjoyed by Chinese emperors. This “ mushroom of immortality” helps to maintain healthy circulation (opt for the excellent Reishi Extract, standardised to 20% polysaccharides and 6% triterpenes) ;
- and maca, an aphrodisiac plant known as “Peruvian ginseng”. Maca is recognised for helping to stimulate sexual desire (Super Maca).
References
- Wee JJ, Mee Park K, Chung AS. Biological Activities of Ginseng and Its Application to Human Health. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92776/
- Kang S, Min H. Ginseng, the 'Immunity Boost': The Effects of Panax ginseng on Immune System. J Ginseng Res. 2012;36(4):354-368. doi:10.5142/jgr.2012.36.4.354
- Kim HJ, Kim P, Shin CY. A comprehensive review of the therapeutic and pharmacological effects of ginseng and ginsenosides in central nervous system. J Ginseng Res. 2013;37(1):8-29. doi:10.5142/jgr.2013.37.8
- Park KC, Jin H, Zheng R, et al. Cognition enhancing effect of panax ginseng in Korean volunteers with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Transl Clin Pharmacol. 2019;27(3):92-97. doi:10.12793/tcp.2019.27.3.92
- Chen W, Balan P, Popovich DG. Review of Ginseng Anti-Diabetic Studies. Molecules. 2019;24(24):4501. Published 2019 Dec 9. doi:10.3390/molecules24244501
- Leung KW, Wong AS. Ginseng and male reproductive function. Spermatogenesis. 2013;3(3):e26391. doi:10.4161/spmg.26391
- Wee JJ, Mee Park K, Chung AS. Biological Activities of Ginseng and Its Application to Human Health. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92776/
- EFSA Register of Questions - Europa EU
- Kiefer D, Pantuso T. Panax ginseng. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Oct 15;68(8):1539-42. PMID: 14596440.
50 Minutes
Who is a good boy? You, you are! Yes, yes
:) :(:) :(:) :(:) :(
JORGE Catalan Gasco
2 Days
Excellent online site
Excellent online site, efficient and quick delivery. A great experience.
Chris
5 Days
I’m really happy with your products, but…
I’m really happy with your products. Indeed, I’ve been a customer of SuperSmart for a long time. However, I believe that lately you’ve made a significant mistake in choosing Poste Italiane for your deliveries. Poste Italiane is now over loaded and assigns the deliveries to small local companies that have grown like mushrooms because of this business. However, the service they provide is very poor. They let you know about the delivery date just the evening before, with no time to organize yourself, many times you receive a message saying that they tried to deliver but you were not home and in reality they haven’t come at all and, when they do come, you open the door of the building ( I live on the 3rd floor) and when you get downstairs they have already left, leaving the pack inside but right behind the glass door instead of at least putting it on top or under the letterbox. This is not just a one time event but it’s their way of proceeding. It would be worth hiring a professional currier. Thanks
Olga Gladys Del Signore
6 Days
Good products
Good products, fast service
Mrs I Heinrich
12 Days
Quality products and fast shipping.
Quality products and fast shipping.
JF
13 Days
Everything is great. Keep up
Your product and service is great that's why i ordered again.
KOSMATOS Stamatios
17 Days
everything as expected
the products work and the processes to support them also
Ruggero Benedetto
19 Days
Excellent products always up to date…
Excellent products always up to date with the latest developments.
Olga Gladys Del Signore
23 Days
Great service
Great service, exceptional delivery time.
Chris
25 Days
Excellent quality of Super Smart
I’ve used Super Smart products for a long time and since the very beginning I have been absolutely keen about their punctuality in delivering but, most of all, I appreciate the quality of their products and the constant updates following the results of proven research.
Olga Gladys Del Signore
27 Days
Slow post
You have a very good range of quality products, and service is usually good. However delivery was slow due to using the national postage company. Correos. Regards David
David Walsh
28 Days
The service is extremely good
The service is extremely good. Earlier we had to wait for more than a week for the delivery. The speed has improved. Very happy with all the service.
SHERINE Mathew
28 Days
Good Quality!
I have purchased several products from Super Smart & always find the supplements very good quality.
SM
32 Days
Fast and efficient
Fast and efficient delivery. Nice products.
Jean-Michel Gaspoz
35 Days
Immediate service
Immediate service
SAMCOS S A Samcos S A