The Ginseng Plant In The Energy Drink Market

The energy drink market is a booming business in the uS. Millions of people are seemingly addicted and one of the primary energy drink ingredients if the ginseng plant. I enjoy the TV show NCIS and one of its characters is a goth lab tech named Abb,y played by Pauley Perrette. She attended a party one night and is hyper the next day. One of her NCIS colleagues suggests she had too much booze the night before, which Abby indignantly refutes. The only thing she had to drink, she says, was Red Bull energy drinks – 18 of them! Whoa, Abby!

Arguably, the most famous of all Chinese herbs is ginseng – and the Chinese have had a lot of success with many herbs, so this is quite a compliment. This famous herb has been used for an estimated 7000 years and has a multitude of uses. It's very popular in energy drinks because it supplies energy and is seen as a potent "rejuvenator".

Where Does The Ginseng Plant Originate?

Ginseng is a perennial that grows approximately two feet and is indigenous to Asia: China, Korea, Viet Nam, Japan and Russia. The most prized plants are the older ones because they are more concentrated in their effect. The potent part of the plant is the "ginsenoside" which is the active chemical component that has its effect on the human body. The roots begin flowering – and thus become mature – in four years but they can live an amazing hundreds of years.

There is a ginseng that is native to North America and was prized by the native Americans who considered it a sacred herb and added it to many of their medicines. Today, rightly or wrongly, this plant isn't considered as potent as the Asian varieties.
 

Ginseng Effects According To Users & Herbalists

The following effects are claimed for the famed ginseng herb:

Reduces the effects of stress because the ginsenosides mimic steroids so they combat and balance the effects of stress …

Improve individual performance, primarily because of the increase in energy …

Boost energy levels …

Enhances memory, cognition, concentration and every brain function because of its effect on the neurotransmitters in the human brain …

Stimulate the immune system …

Reduces or eliminates bodily & mental exhaustion and fatigue …

It has been used for thousands of years as a cure for heart ailments and pulmonary problems …

It will either dissolve or reduce the size and potency of tumors …

Because of all its other effects, it's a potent youthing herb – a subject of intense interest here at blissplan.com …

Contains many minerals and vitamins such as zinc and vitamins A and B-6

Acts on the critical adrenal gland by protecting it and promoting its health …

Aids in the body's resistance to viruses and environmental toxins …

Strengthens the central nervous system …

Improves and heals the liver …

Strengthens the lungs and thus increases the oxygen in the body…

Invigorates the circulatory system …

Stimulates the production of interferon which is defined as "natural cell-signaling proteins produced by the cells of the immune system of most vertebrates in response to challenges by foreign agents such as viruses, parasites and tumor cells" – in other words, cancer fighters ….

Lowers cholesterol …

Decreases dangerous triglycerides …

Has been famous for thousands of years as a remedy for impotence (the original viagra?) …

Increases levels of estrogen …

Treats the symptoms of menopause…

Fight diabetes and all its effects…

Helps protect against the devastating effects of radiation and chemotherapy in cancer treatments …

Fights the 'common' cold …

It's an aid against insomnia …

Stimulates the appetite (the last thing I need is to increase my appetite!  :-) …

Types Of Ginseng Herb

KOREAN RED GINGSENG – also known as Asian Ginseng, Asiatic Ginger, and Chinese Ginseng: according to Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] this plant is best used on older people and males. It is supposed to increase energy, strengthen the immune system and repair the metabolism – meaning to either slow it down, or speed it up, depending on the individual body.

KOREAN WHITE GINSENG: in TCM, every plant and medicine is considered to have yin or yang properties. Yin is the peaceful, calm, receptive female property while yang is more active and more male. It's important to note that every person, both sexes, have both yin and yang properties – it's just the balance that makes a difference. Korean white ginseng is considered to be a yang herb which is why it's so popular in the energy drink market. It increases circulation and thus effects the brain, blood, the central nervous system and energy levels. It has almost all of the effects mentioned above and is widely used by cocaine addicts who are trying to kick that awful drug.

NORTH AMERICAN WHITE GINSENG: (Panax quinquefolium) is a calming, yin herb and is considered extremely effective for cooling the body, the mind and the emotions … in other words, it's anti-stress.

SIBERIAN GINGSENG: is a yang version of the ginseng plant and stimulates appetites, blood circulation, increases sexual potency and is widely used in Russia to survive the long, cold winters.

From these abovementioned effects, it's easy to see why the gin sing plant is a widely used as energy drink ingredients. How true are the claims for the herb? I have no personal experience with quality ginseng, unlike many of the reviews on this site, so I cannot say. However, it is definitely true that millions upon millions of human beings are absolutely in love with the ginseng herb! That coupled with the fact that it's been used for several thousand years means it's most likely a quite potent plant.