Benefits of Ginseng Tea: 10 Epic Evidence-Based Health Perks

Ginseng tea has been revered for centuries in Eastern medicine, believed to be a panacea that invigorates the body and mind.

This article will detail what ginseng tea is and how it’s made, then delve into the top 10 benefits of ginseng tea, explore the best ways to enjoy it, and touch on some considerations you need to keep in mind when consuming it.

So, prepare your cup of tea and look forward to learning while you sip on the benefits of ginseng tea!

What is Ginseng Tea and How is it Made?

Ginseng tea is a traditional herbal drink made from the ginseng plant’s root. Ginseng is primarily of two types – Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Korean ginseng is further divided into white ginseng and red ginseng based on how they are processed.

For a deep dive into ginseng tea varieties, their origins, and other specifics, don’t forget to check our complete guide on ginseng tea.

How to prepare Ginseng tea?

Here is how to prepare ginseng tea with ginseng (powder, fresh or dried)

1. Fill your kettle with water and bring it to a boil.
2. Measure out the desired amount of ginseng (If using ginseng powder, add 1 teaspoon. If using fresh or dried ginseng root, add 3-5 thin slices)
3. Pour the boiling water: Once the water has reached boiling point, pour it into your teacup over the ginseng powder.
4. Stir the mixture: Use a spoon to mix the ginseng powder and hot water until the powder is fully dissolved.
5. Steep for several minutes: Allow the tea to steep for around 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you want the tea to be.
6. Enjoy your tea: Your ginseng tea is now ready to be enjoyed. Remember, the benefits of ginseng tea can be best experienced when consumed regularly.

Oh and by the way, ginseng tea itself does not naturally contain caffeine! So don’t worry about drinking it before going to bed!

Now let’s explore the health benefits of ginseng tea!

List of Benefits of Ginseng Tea

Ginseng tea holds a plethora of health benefits. Here, we’ll take a close look at the top 10 benefits of ginseng tea backed by scientific research.

1. Cerebroprotective Effects

A cerebroprotective effect refers to the capability of a substance to protect the brain from damage, especially after an injury or disease like ischemia, which is a lack of oxygen supply to tissues. Ginseng tea has been shown to have such protective properties. A study done on rats showed that Korean ginseng tea significantly reduced hypoxic-convulsions and lethality induced by ischemia (Shah et al., 2005).

2. Chemopreventive Properties

Chemopreventive properties refer to the ability of a substance to prevent, slow down, or reverse the formation of cancers. The major components of green tea and Korean ginseng, called ginsenosides, have been investigated for their potential in chemoprevention, including the prevention of inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communications (Shah et al., 2005).

“Inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communications” is quite a technical term that means “blocking or stopping the messages or signals that cells send to each other through special tunnels or channels.” This blockage can affect how cells behave, including how they grow or die, which is why it’s an important concept in studying diseases like cancer.

3. Autoimmune Disease Prevention and Treatment

Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks normal, healthy cells. Panax ginseng has been suggested as a potential herbal medicine for autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis (Lee et al., 2019).

4. Inhibition of Microglial Neurotoxicity

Microglial neurotoxicity involves the harmful activation of microglia, the primary protectors of the brain and spinal cord. This activation is linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Ginseng has shown promising results in inhibiting this neurotoxicity, which could aid in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (Choi et al., 2011).

5. Consumer Acceptance

While not a health benefit, consumer acceptance is an important factor in the widespread adoption of any product. Ginseng tea has been found to have a high level of consumer acceptance, with ratings comparable to other ginseng products like candy and chocolate (Chung et al., 2011).

6. Anticancer Effects

The term anticancer refers to the prevention or inhibition of the development of cancer. Ginseng extracts and ginsenosides have been demonstrated to have anticancer effects, including the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and induction of cancer cell apoptosis (mechanism that allows cells to self-destruct when stimulated by the appropriate trigger)(Du et al., 2012; Kang et al., 2011).

7. Redox Regulation and Free Radical Scavenging Effects

Redox regulation involves maintaining a balance of oxidation and reduction reactions in the body, while free radical scavenging involves neutralizing harmful free radicals that can cause cellular damage. Ginseng has been found to aid in both redox regulation and free radical scavenging, potentially helping prevent and treat diseases like Parkinson’s disease (Koppula et al., 2012).

8. Promotion of Periodontal Tissue Regeneration

Periodontal tissue regeneration refers to the restoration of damaged tissue around the teeth. Ginseng-derived exosomes-like nanoparticles have shown potential benefits in promoting the proliferation of periodontal stem cells and the repair and regeneration of periodontal tissue (Zhang et al., 2022).

9. Longevity and Health Benefits

Longevity refers to a long life, often associated with good health. Ginsenosides in ginseng have been found to contribute to longevity and various health benefits, including reducing blood pressure, alleviating diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and inhibiting cancers (Nagappan & Cheang, 2019).

10. Improvement of Cognitive Function

Cognitive function refers to a person’s mental abilities, such as learning, thinking, problem-solving, memory, and attention. Ginseng has been reported to aid in improving cognitive function, including enhancing learning and memorization ability and treating Alzheimer’s disease (Yang et al., 2016).

When it comes to the health benefits of ginseng tea, the list is truly impressive. If you’re interested in discovering the benefits of other teas, don’t forget to check out our comprehensive article on the “health benefits of drinking tea“.

What’s the Best Way to Take Ginseng Tea?

To obtain the most benefits of ginseng tea, you can enjoy it as a plain hot tea, sweetened, or even spiced with other herbs. Pair it with breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack for a revitalizing boost. You can also use ginseng tea in recipes or use ginseng powder in your smoothies, those way you will have the benefits of ginseng tea without its bitter taste!

Potential Side Effects and Considerations of Ginseng Tea

As with any herbal remedy, it’s crucial to be aware of potential side effects. Some people may experience digestive issues, nervousness, or insomnia. High-quality sourcing is crucial to minimize potential contaminants.

Conclusion

In summary, the benefits of ginseng tea are vast, ranging from enhancing cognitive function to exhibiting anticancer effects.

Why not try ginseng tea and experience these benefits first hand? Don’t forget to share your experiences with us.

For more insights, check out our review post about the best ginseng tea.

References

• Choi, D., Koppula, S., Suk, K. (2011). Inhibitors Of Microglial Neurotoxicity: Focus On Natural Products. Molecules, 2(16), 1021-1043. Link Here
• Chung, H., Lee, Y., Rhee, Y., Lee, S. (2011). Consumer Acceptance Of Ginseng Food Products. Journal of Food Science, 9(76), S516-S522. Link Here
• Du, G., Wang, C., Qi, L., Zhang, Z., Calway, T., He, T., … & Yuan, C. (2012). The Synergistic Apoptotic Interaction Of Panaxadiol and Epigallocatechin Gallate In Human Colorectal Cancer Cells. Phytother. Res., 2(27), 272-277. Link Here
• Kang, J., Song, K., Woo, J., Park, M., Rhee, M., Choi, C., … & Oh, S. (2011). Ginsenoside Rp1 From Panax Ginseng Exhibits Anti-cancer Activity By Down-regulation Of the Igf-1r/akt Pathway In Breast Cancer Cells. Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 3(66), 298-305. Link Here
• Koppula, S., More, S., Lim, H., Hong, S., Choi, D. (2012). Recent Updates In Redox Regulation and Free Radical Scavenging Effects By Herbal Products In Experimental Models Of Parkinson’s Disease. Molecules, 10(17), 11391-11420. Link Here
• Lee, J., Park, K., Cho, I. (2019). Panax Ginseng: a Candidate Herbal Medicine For Autoimmune Disease. Journal of Ginseng Research, 3(43), 342-348. Link Here
• Nagappan, T., Cheang, W. (2019). Ginsenosides In Diets., 1-20. Link Here
• Shah, Z., Gilani, R., Sharma, P., Vohora, S. (2005). Cerebroprotective Effect Of Korean Ginseng Tea Against Global and Focal Models Of Ischemia In Rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1-3(101), 299-307. Link Here
• Yang, L., Yu, Q., Ge, Y., Zhang, W., Fan, Y., Ma, C., … & Qi, L. (2016). Distinct Urine Metabolome After Asian Ginseng and American Ginseng Intervention Based On Gc-ms Metabolomics Approach. Sci Rep, 1(6). Link Here
• Zhang, Z., Yu, Y., Zhu, G., Zeng, L., Xu, S., Cheng, H., … & Yu, L. (2022). The Emerging Role Of Plant-derived Exosomes-like Nanoparticles In Immune Regulation and Periodontitis Treatment. Front. Immunol., (13). Link Here