The health benefits of ginseng tea may include a boosted immune system, relief from menstrual problems, and a reduction in obesity. It may help in decreasing mental distress and sexual problems as well.
What is Ginseng Tea?
Ginseng tea is derived from the ginseng plant root. The major health benefits of this tea might be due to the naturally occurring chemicals called ‘ginsenosides’ present in the root.
Ginseng tea originated in Korea and was made from a Korean variety of ginseng. The tea has become a popular beverage all over the world as an herbal drink. One serving of this tea (3 g) may contain 3g of carbohydrates and 11 calories. The available tea is made from 3 different types of ginseng, all of which can be highly beneficial for human health and vitality. These are:
- American ginseng: Grows in North America
- Asian ginseng: Grows in Far East Asia. It is also known as Korean ginseng or Chinese ginseng
- Siberian ginseng: Grows in Northeast Asia
| Serving Size : | |
|---|---|
| Nutrient | Value |
| Water [g] | 92.65 |
| Energy | 30 |
| Energy [kJ] | 127 |
| Total lipid (fat) [g] | 0.18 |
| Carbohydrate, by difference [g] | 7.16 |
| Sugars, total including NLEA [g] | 6.87 |
| Sucrose [g] | 0.49 |
| Glucose (dextrose) [g] | 2.79 |
| Fructose [g] | 3.59 |
| Calcium, Ca [mg] | 3 |
| Iron, Fe [mg] | 0.02 |
| Magnesium, Mg [mg] | 1 |
| Potassium, K [mg] | 5 |
| Sodium, Na [mg] | 2 |
| Zinc, Zn [mg] | 0.01 |
| Copper, Cu [mg] | 0.01 |
| Manganese, Mn [mg] | 0.12 |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid [mg] | 7.7 |
| Thiamin [mg] | 0.04 |
| Caffeine [mg] | 4 |
| Sources include : USDA [1] | |
Health Benefits of Ginseng Tea
The common health benefits of ginseng tea are as follows:
May Relieve Menstrual Cramps
American ginseng tea may be well-known for its cooling effect, and it may be recommended for women who suffer from menstrual cramps and distress. It might also minimize the stomach pain associated with menstruation.
May Help Fight Obesity
If you want to shed those extra pounds, ginseng tea may certainly help you in your dietary habits. This herbal tea is popular as a natural appetite suppressant. Consuming it may provide slimness to the body by boosting your metabolism and burning fat at a higher rate.
May Lower Blood Pressure
Asian ginseng tea may be a strong beverage and it may be very effective for people who have hypotension. This energetic drink might help to keep you active and on your toes all day long by normalizing your blood pressure and boosting your energy. This tea also may help in preventing fatal strokes.
May Improve Brain Function
Ginseng tea may be an herbal drink that acts as a stimulant to the brain cells. It may improve your concentration power and cognitive capabilities. It may be highly recommended for students so they can have improved brain functioning.
May Help Prevent Sexual Dysfunction
Men with erectile dysfunction should consume ginseng tea since it may lessen the symptoms of sex-related conditions. [2]
May Stabilize Sugar Levels
Ginseng modestly yet significantly may improve fasting blood glucose in people with and without diabetes. In order to address the uncertainty in our effect may estimate and provide better assessments of ginseng’s anti-diabetic efficacy, larger and longer randomized controlled trials using standardized ginseng preparations are warranted. A study from the Medicine journal shows that ginseng-related [3] therapy may exert better blood sugar levels. Additionally, it could be a better alternative for drug-naïve diabetic patients, rather than as an adjunct therapy in patients on anti-diabetic medications.
Ginseng can be eaten raw, made into a tea or added to various dishes. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
May Improve Digestion
Ginseng tea may promote the secretion of pepsin. This may aid in better digestion and provide relief from bloating, constipation, flatulence, and Crohn’s disorder. [4]
May Relieve Respiratory Issues
Ginseng tea may soothe respiratory issues by clearing the blockage and reducing inflammation. It might even be a great remedy for sinuses, cold, cough, asthma, flu, and pneumonia. It also might strengthen the immune system. [5] [6]
May Reduce Chronic Pain
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginseng tea may cure inflammations such as rheumatoid arthritis as well as chronic pains. [7]
May Help In Skin Care
Ginseng may maintain the fluid balance in your body and therefore might help in refining and rehydrating the skin. It may also lessen pain and injury due to radiation therapy. The antioxidants may perform free radical scavenging activity making your skin look younger and healthier. Additionally, it might reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and blemishes. [8] [9] [10]
May Purify Blood
Ginseng tea may be mildly diuretic. Thus, it might lower blood toxicity by purifying it. [11]
May Relieve Symptoms of ADHD
A combination of ginseng and ginkgo biloba may help provide relief from symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in kids.
May Have Neuroprotective Effects
The immune-stimulatory, homeostasis, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic properties of ginseng tea may help prevent or manage various cognitive disorders.
May Reduce Stress
De-stress yourself with a hot cup of ginseng tea. It might help to pep up your mood by calming the nervous system and improving blood circulation.
How To Make Ginseng Tea?
Fresh ginseng tea can be easily made at home if you have the medicinal root on hand. Here is a simple recipe that can be made with the fresh root or with ginseng powder.
Ginseng Tea (Insam Cha) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water filtered
- 1 piece ginseng root or
- 1 tbsp ginseng powder
- 1 tsp lemon juice optional
- 1 tsp honey optional
Instructions
- Boil the water in a saucepan.
- Wash the ginseng root, peel it, and cut it into 3 slices.
- Add the ginseng root pieces or powder to the hot water.
- Allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a cup.
- Add lemon juice or honey for additional flavor, and enjoy the beverage!
Side Effects
The major side effects of ginseng tea include:
- Insomnia: Certain compounds in ginseng may activate the energy levels in the body. If taken at bedtime, it may result in sleeping difficulties. If consumed daily, some people may start showing symptoms of insomnia.
- Irregular heart rate and blood pressure: Consuming ginseng tea in large amounts for a long period may result in fluctuating heartbeat and increased or decreased blood pressure levels. People on medication for blood pressure should avoid ginseng tea.
- Blood clots: The tea may interfere with the functioning of blood platelets causing blood clots.
- Hormonal effects: Korean Ginseng tea may cause estrogenic effects on the body. This may cause hormonal abnormalities, breast pain, and vaginal bleeding, which may, in some cases, be fatal too.
- Gastrointestinal issues: It may cause digestive disorders like diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and nausea.
- Cognitive dysfunction: It may cause headaches, dizziness, nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, and loss of concentration in some people. Further complications may lead to neurological issues, confusion, and manic episodes.
Note: According to US Fish and Wildlife Service, it is illegal to harvest ginseng roots on most State lands. However, you can buy fresh ginseng root or powder from the market. Korean ginseng root is better suited for cold climates and American ginseng roots are best for summer seasons. [12]
