Korean red ginseng drinks are a huge hype, and everybody seems to be drinking them. It is claimed that ginseng, and red ginseng in particular, has a whole lot of health benefits. But what are those benefits that has the world talking about them so much? Ginseng is found all over the world and has been used in a variety of commercial products, as well as natural healing products.

Chinese Medicine

As with many natural products that are said to have health benefits, the roots can be found in Chinese medicine. Indeed, in Chinese, the word “ginseng” literally means “man root”. In their medicine, it is believed that ginseng helps people to relax, makes them stronger, fights stress, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and overall increases longevity.

Three types of ginseng exist: Siberian, Korean, and American. Siberian ginseng isn’t really ginseng, however. American and Siberian ginseng have been scientifically proven to relax and cool. In Eastern traditional medicine, it is believed this root clears away Yang energy by calming it, restoring the balance with Yin energy. There have been a number of studies that have shown American ginseng can be very beneficial in cases of flu virus, and particularly with elderly people.

Korean Ginseng

Korean ginseng is very different, however, in that it promotes Yang energy, rather than inhibit it. This means it increases the blood supply and improves circulation. In so doing, it helps people to recover from illnesses. Korean ginseng can be either white or red, although they come from the same plant. The difference is in age – red has grown for longer and it is boiled at 100 degrees with the skin on. White, by contrast, is younger and is dried in the sun after peeling.

Korean ginseng is believed to be an aphrodisiac, and has been proven to be an adaptogen. In fact, it has successfully treated sexual dysfunction and type 2 diabetes. This is because it has a positive effect on gonadal tissues and on the central nervous system.

Researchers are looking into whether ginseng can increase someone’s stamina and essentially improve their quality of life. There have been numerous reports and testimonials of people who feel that their overall well-being has been improved. In fact, this has led to the plant being seen as a panacea now. A panacea is a universal remedy, something that stems from the work “panakeia” in Greek. If Korean ginseng is a panacea, it means it can help to relax, improve alertness, increase physical and mental capacity, and improve appetite. These are things that people have said they have experienced, in fact. That said, those people do feel that Korean red ginseng must be taken in particular, and over a period of time. A single drink, therefore, won’t change things.

A lot more research has to be completed into just what ginseng is, of any type, and what its benefits are. However, it is agreed that it does indeed have positive benefits to health and well-being, both mentally and physically. Used for thousands of years in Eastern medicine and now popular the world over, it is clear that it benefits people somehow.