Are you a teetotaller and a connoisseur of fragrant tea? So am I! I absolutely need my morning cup of piping hot tea, steeped for exactly seven minutes, to ensure I have the best day. When I’m in the mood, I like to experiment with my tea, which is why I started picking up flavored tea. It was on one such trip that I discovered ginseng tea.
So, what is ginseng tea good for? Well, it is a rich source of naturally occurring antioxidants called ‘ginsenosides’ that have medicinal properties. The health benefits of ginseng tea are far too many, including relieving menstrual problems, digestive issues, asthma, arthritis, and sexual dysfunctions. And, how do you brew ginseng tea? The tea is made by brewing the perennial ginseng root like green or white tea and served.
There are three types of ginseng tea – Siberian ginseng tea, Korean ginseng tea, and American ginseng tea. All these varieties are implicit with certain elements that are highly beneficial for maintaining good health and vitality.
Ginsenosides: Also called panaxosides, these compounds are the most active ingredients with curative properties in a ginseng root (1). They are the most sought-after natural saponins in nature that can penetrate cells to improve resistance to stress and enhance cellular balance (2).
Spices: You can combine other spices along with ginseng root like cinnamon, ginger, and apple cider to make your tea more flavorful and potent.
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Ginseng tea is considered as one of the best nutritious herbal supplements available in the world. The curative properties of this herbal tea are stated below in brief:
Ginseng can also help relieve pain and discomfort during menstrual cycles.
Why Does It Work
American wild ginseng tea is popular for its cooling and soothing effects. It contains micronutrients that support estrogenic activity, easing stress from vaginal muscles, thus providing relief from menstrual cramps (5).
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Ginseng tea is also an effective remedy to counter fluctuating blood pressure.
Why Does It Work
Asian ginseng tea, also known as Korean ginseng tea, has a calming effect. It helps lower blood pressure and provides relief from diseases like hypertension (6).
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Obesity is increasingly becoming a life-threatening health issue. If you are trying to lose some weight, try including ginseng tea in your diet.
Why Does It Work
Ginseng herbal tea is known to facilitate weight management. Daily consumption of this health drink can help melt those extra layers of fat from your body since it is a natural appetite suppressant (3). It increases the metabolic rate of the body and burns away fat. Unlike other ‘miracle’ weight loss methods, ginseng tea does not cause any side effects and helps you to lose weight safely. But remember, ginseng tea alone cannot help you lose weight. Combine it with a healthy diet and an appropriate workout regimen for best results.
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According to studies, it has been found that people who consume ginseng tea are more likely to stay away from cancer.
Why Does It Work
It has cytotoxic and antimetastatic activities on various kinds of cancerous cells, thereby inhibiting their multiplication (9). Ginsenosides, present in ginseng tea have been shown to stop the growth of tumor cells. Nowadays, even medical practitioners recommend individuals to consume ginseng tea as a cancer preventive measure.
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It can also help make you more attentive and enhance your cognitive abilities.
Why Does It Work
Ginseng tea is believed to be extremely helpful for students. Ginseng tea acts as a stimulant to the brain cells, thus improving the powers of concentration and cognitive abilities (4). With increased retentive capabilities and alertness, no examination can be too daunting.
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Ginseng root tea benefits include treating sexual illnesses.
Why Does It Work
Ginseng root tea is known to be a prosexual herb that helps treat sexual problems like erectile dysfunction (7). It has been clinically proven to contain phyto (plant) testosterone that can effectively increase sperm count in men (8).
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If you suffer from digestive distress, a cup of ginseng tea can ease your problems.
Why Does It Work
Ginseng tea helps the healthy secretion of pepsin that facilitates the process of digestion (9). It relieves constipation, bloating, and flatulence. It also helps provide relief from the symptoms of Crohn’s Disorder (10).
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Ginseng tea also reduces instances of premature skin aging.
Why Does It Work
The consumption of Korean ginseng tea can reduce the signs of premature aging. This tea is a rich source of antioxidants that can halt free radical formation owing to overexposure to the sun (11). Free radicals are responsible for the early signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.
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It can also soothe respiratory problems.
Why Does It Work
American and Siberian ginseng teas help to clear blocked sinuses and bronchial passages as well as reduce inflammation (12). They offer effective treatment for patients suffering from severe cough, asthma, cold, and pneumonia.
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It also helps keep you away from colds and flu.
Why Does It Work
Ginseng tea helps in strengthening the immune system (13). It also enhances the efficacy of the stress adapters of the immune system and helps you steer clear of common ailments like cold and flu.
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Ginseng tea helps regulate sugar levels in the blood.
Why Does It Work
According to a research, the ginsenosides in American ginseng tea help control the blood sugar levels in the body, maintain proper functioning of the pancreas, and also enhance the response power of the body to insulin (14).
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It also helps reduce effects resulting from chronic pain.
Why Does It Work
Studies have revealed that Siberian ginseng tea has anti-inflammatory properties. Herbalists recommend its use to cure conditions related to inflammation like arthritis and other chronic pains (15).
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Ginseng tea has been found to be an effective prophylactic against the effects of radiation treatment.
Why Does It Work
The ginsenosides present in ginseng tea have been found to preserve the cells by boosting immunity and providing protection against radiation therapy (16).
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Ginseng tea is particularly great for refining and rehydrating your skin and regenerates skin cells by increasing oxygenation. It acts as a skin cleanser as well as refreshes your skin.
Why Does It Work
Add herbal ginseng tea to your bath, as it helps in rehydrating and refining your skin by maintaining the fluid balance in your body and increasing elasticity (17).
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Ginseng tea helps in blood circulation and purifies it as well.
Why Does It Work
Clinical experiments have found that ginseng tea helps lower toxicity levels in your blood that otherwise exert pressure on your liver. It is also mildly diuretic. All of these contribute towards detoxifying blood (18).
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Here is an overview of the nutritional benefits of ginseng root.
Serving Size: 8 fl oz, 240 ml, 0.3 canWhen you are picking ginseng roots, make sure they do not have any soft spots. Sometimes, dried Korean ginseng root is available; you can use that as well. Or, you can find pre-prepared shavings of ginseng root that you simply add to your tea.
What You Need
Now that you know Korean ginseng tea benefits, it’s time to learn how to make ginseng tea at home:
Anything in excess can harm your body. The same rule applies to this particular tea. Here are some things you need to keep in mind while drinking ginseng tea:
1. Gastrointestinal Problems: Excess doses of ginseng tea have been found to render a feeling of nausea, vomiting, other gastric problems and headache (19).
2. Insomnia & Nervousness: Ginseng tea can sometimes be overstimulating and can cause a few sleepless nights along with anxiety (20).
3. May Cause Blood To Clot: Korean ginseng tea has been found to intervene with the blood clotting behavior of platelets according to a study by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (21).
4. May Cause Hypoglycemia: Ginseng tea helps control blood sugar levels, but if you are diabetic, you need to be extremely careful. The effects of your medication coupled with the effects of ginseng tea can cause you to experience insulin shock or, in other words, hypoglycemia (22).
5. Hormonal Imbalances: Prolonged consumption of ginseng tea produces an estrogen-like effect and may depress the central nervous system, causing post-menopausal vaginal bleeding (23). Owing to the excess estrogen in the blood, pregnant women and lactating mothers should avoid ginseng tea.
Ginseng has rightfully earned its way to the top of the health herbs list. There is a reason health enthusiasts swear by ginseng tea. It can help you rejuvenate as well as lead a healthy life— now isn’t that something to aim for?
With so many amazing benefits, Korean red ginseng tea should definitely be a part of your healthy diet. Just make sure that you consume this tea not more than two to three times a week.
Have you ever tried consuming tea with ginseng before? Share your experience along with the best ginseng tea recipe with us in the comments section.