Ginseng comes in a variety of types from Chinese, Asian, Korean, American, North American and Canadian. According to various Chinese herbalists, each of these types is known to have their own unique properties used for healing purposes. For example, the American ginseng is popular for its very own cooling properties which make it as a perfect treatment aid for fever while Asian ginseng is unique for its heating properties which are considered as beneficial in promoting healthy blood circulation.

Ginseng Extracts for Brain Protection

The results of a recent study conducted on ginseng root, as seen on the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, revealed that its neuroprotective effects may actually come from an active protein in ginseng root. Researchers, led by Dr Qiong-Lan Yuan, performed a thorough assessment on the effects of Ginsenoside Rb1’s (GRb1) using adult male rates diagnosed with ischemic stroke as models. Dr Yuan comes from China’s Tongji University School of Medicine.

Results revealed that the group of rats who were infused with GRb1 after an ischemic stroke displayed a significant increase in the number of their neural stem cells, as compared to the group of rats who did not receive GRb1.  Neural stem cells are actually precursors to neural cells.  This shows that infusing GRb1 helps promote recovery of an ischemic stroke patient’s neural behaviour. It also stimulates the formation of new neurons after a cerebral ischemia event. Because previous research studies have hinted at GRb1’s neuroprotective effects, the results of this recent study offer support for GRb1’s benefits against the effects of ischemic stroke.  Additionally, GRb1 has the potential of being used as a form of therapeutic treatment for Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of degenerative neurological diseases.

However, despite the promising results of their study, Dr Qiong-Lan Yuan and his colleagues emphasized that the exact mechanism of action as to how GRb1 promotes an increase in the amount of neural stem cells remains unclear.  They added that further studies should be made in order to fully understand the underlying mechanism on the neuroprotective effects of GRb1, especially because this can be the source of finding cure to neurodegenerative diseases plaguing the world today.

The Various Health Benefits of Ginseng

Ginseng is known to serve as an adaptogen.  This simply means that it can increase your body’s resistance against any kind and any form of stress – may it be in the form of chemical, physical or biological stress. It also helps in boosting the function of the immune system in the body.  This claim was proven by a previous study which enrolled 323 people who had colds for at least twice a year. They participants were divided into two groups:  one group received placebo while the other group, each participant was given two capsules each day composed of the extracts of the North American ginseng for four straight months. After the study period, it was found out that the group who received ginseng supplements had lesser incidence of contracting colds compared to the group who only received placebo.

Another study provided proof of Panax ginseng’s beneficial effects to people diagnosed with diabetes.  After a total of eight weeks of study with 36 people who were given dosages of ginseng, numerous improvements were seen in the level of blood glucose, the mood and the psychophysical performance of the patient’s system. It also improved the hemoglobin A1C level that measures how ideal the blood sugar has been controlled during three months.

Ginseng has also been used in the management of men suffering from erectile dysfunction.  In one study involving 90 men diagnosed with the disorder, results revealed that as long as ginseng extract is taken continuously, men experienced improvement in their sexual performance. A lot of traditional herbalists recommend a dosage of 200 mg a day of standard ginseng extracts. They also suggest the use of ginseng for not more than a total of three weeks that is usually followed by a one to two week period of rest.

Natural Ways to Improve Brain Health

It is important to have a healthy brain not just to improve the level of concentration and memory but also reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer’s and other brain disease. Here are a few essential ways to improve your cognitive skills and your overall brain health condition.

1. Do not underestimate the power of physical and cognitive exercises like walking and various brain games. Walking helps promote blood flow to the brain.  For brain games in particular, you can include exercises called ‘neurobic exercises’ which include activities like getting dressed in the dark; or writing using your non-dominant hand.  These activities are said to stimulate the brain.
   
   
2. Try to limit your alcohol intake. You must know that the more amount of alcohol you consume, the lower the volume of your brain becomes. Researchers from Wellesley College in Massachusetts have defined heavy drinking as taking in more than 14 drinks in a week and low drinking as consuming just 7 drinks every week. So if you care for your brain, keep your consumption of alcohol at a minimum.
   
   
3. A sandalwood scent helps to increase memory level. The author of The Brain Wash, Michelle Schoffro Cook, says that natural scents are capable of going its way straight to the brain and this can increase the flow of oxygen to the brain. Along with sandalwood, you can also try other scents like Frankincense which can decrease the level of stress and helps increase the level of oxygen in the brain.
   
   
4. Get a lot of sleep to boost your brain’s memory capacity. For your brain to be able to function properly, it must have a lot of energy. And you can charge it all up with the right amount of energy by just merely getting enough sleep. It helps in allowing your brain to process information more effectively. So wind down with the help of a music to listen to or a book to read when you go to bed at night and get yourself off to dreamland.
   
   
5. Be wary of what you eat. Make sure that your diet contains a generous serving of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and healthy fats, since these foods help in maintaining your brain’s health. Fruits and vegetables, such as beet juice, contain antioxidants that neutralize damage-causing free radicals, while healthy fats make sure that blood flows smoothly to your brain.

Sources
altmedicine.about.com
nutraingredients.com
suite101.com
naturalhealthontheweb.com