Health benefits of ginger and ginseng? How to do a ginseng and ginger cure? Is there any danger in combining them for a cure? What are the differences between the two rhizomes? And finally, what are the potential side effects?
I. What Are Ginseng and Ginger?
Ginseng is a plant that offers many benefits to those who know how to use it in the right proportions and moderation.
It can be consumed in several ways, diluted in water, in decoction, or tea. You can chew it or simply buy ginseng ampoules offering all its virtues.
Ginger is a spice that also offers benefits when consumed. You can use it in cooking or as a cure with the appropriate dosage: ginger is very popular in India. The spice has very important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
II. Can I Mix Ginger and Ginseng?
As written above, these two elements are complementary; there are no known contraindications that would prohibit their joint use. They are in fact two rhizomes that have the same properties.
To use them together, simply consume them together. By sprinkling your food, by making a tea or a decoction with ginseng and ginger, or by taking capsules at the same time.
It is however recommended to consult your doctor before starting such a combined cure.
Especially if you are a pregnant woman or if you have serious cardiovascular problems.
III. What is the Difference Between Ginseng and Ginger
In reality, ginseng and ginger are quite similar plants. However, there are some differences
Ginseng is a plant cultivated mainly in the Far East, i.e. China and Korea, while ginger is harvested in India and Africa.
Ginseng will be more useful in cures to help recover strength after a long convalescence for example.
It will also contribute to the reinforcement of the immune system which allows one to be much less likely to fall sick.
Its consumption favors the reduction of glycemia which makes diabetics suffer. Finally, ginseng preserves cognitive functions and prevents degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
Ginger will be more effective in stimulating the libido, and in preventing and reducing nausea.
We note that it also influences the reduction of inflammatory states following an injury. Contrary to ginseng, the taste of ginger is more favorable to its consumption in the kitchen. Ginseng is too bitter.
Ginseng and ginger, therefore, have differences that are completely compatible with each other, which is why it may be useful to combine them.
IV. How to Make Ginger and Ginseng Tea
Making a ginseng cure is not very complicated. There are, as mentioned above, many ways to consume it.
First of all, it is important to know that a ginseng cure should not exceed three months, otherwise you may suffer from side effects that can sometimes be dangerous.
As for the dose, it should be between 500 and 2000 grams of ginseng powder per day.
The ideal ginsenoside content should be between 10-15 mg per gram. There is nothing to prevent you from starting with a progressive dosage in order to adapt your body to this treatment.
You can buy capsules or ampoules of ginseng, which is the easiest way to consume it. Mixing it with tea or decoction is also possible.
If you wish, you can sprinkle ginseng powder on your dishes and cooking water. Finally, you are free to chew some ginseng roots to reap the most benefits.
If you feel like it, there are several recipes based on ginseng. For example, here is the Norwegian Salmon Rolls with Ginseng for four people.
Ingredients:
- 12 strips of smoked Norwegian salmon, about three centimeters wide
- 1 short fresh ginseng root
- 1 cucumber
- 1 radish shoot
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 lettuce
- 1 lemon
- Sesame sauce with soybeans
- 2 tablespoons of soybean paste
- 1 tablespoon of red pepper paste
- 2 tablespoons of sesame salt
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- 3 tablespoons white wine or 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon chopped sesame seeds
Preparation:
Start by washing and brushing the ginseng root and cutting it lengthwise into three pieces.
Cut the cucumber lengthwise into thin strips about 1 cm wide and julienne all the vegetables in ice water before draining.
Place the cut vegetables on a strip of smoked Norwegian salmon and form a roll.
Finally, place the rolls on slices of lemon and season with sesame soy sauce.
Doing a ginger cure requires a little more precision in the dosage depending on the results you want to achieve.
If you are suffering from nausea during pregnancy, doctors generally recommend consuming the equivalent of 2 grams of dried ginger or 10 grams of fresh ginger per day, in several doses.
If you have postoperative nausea, you should take 1 to 1.5 grams of dried ginger 1 hour before the operation.
If you are sick in transit, there are several solutions available to you.
You can buy powder capsules and take 250 mg to 1 gram 1 hour before departure and then every 4 hours until you are symptom-free.
You can also brew 0.5 g to 1 gram of ginger powder in 200 ml of water for just under 10 minutes. Drink it three or four times a day.
V. Recipe Variations
1. Simple Ginger and Ginseng Tea
To prepare this recipe, simply place 1 cm of ginseng root in cold water.
Then add 1 cm of fresh ginger and boil the contents for 4 to 5 minutes. Then let it steep for 10 minutes and strain.
However, since you don’t have the tools to measure the quantity of each ingredient taken to make the recipe perfect, you will still have to make sure to infuse an equal quantity of each ingredient.
You will then obtain an herbal tea that you can enjoy at a rate of 2 to 3 cups per day.
2. Honey Lemon Ginger Tea
The preparation of this recipe is very simple. Just peel and cut 4 cm of ginger, then take 2 lemons and separate them into two parts, to extract the juice.
Then put the lemon juice and the cut ginger in a pitcher, and add 4 tablespoons of honey.
Then pour 1 liter of boiling water into the pitcher and stir to obtain the honey-lemon-ginger tea.
You can also prepare this recipe by boiling the lemon juice and the ginger in a pot filled with one liter of water. You will only have to filter the content in a glass, then add the honey.
For this recipe, it is advisable to drink a cup every morning, especially during wintertime.
3. Lemon Ginger and Ginseng Tea
For this kind of tea, it is best to take 2 cups a day. And to prepare it, you need to squeeze a lemon into a glass, then add 1 cm of fresh ginger, peeled and crushed.
Then add 1 cm of ginseng root, then pour 25 cl of hot water. For an affordable taste, also add a little honey.
Before tasting, make sure you have removed the ginger and ginseng from your tea.
VI. Health Benefits of Ginger and Ginseng
1. Excellent anti-inflammatories
Ginger and ginseng are natural anti-inflammatories. Their consumption reduces the inflammatory process.
They help to relieve certain ailments related to inflammation such as pain due to arthritis, tendonitis, or low back pain.
2. Stimulates the production of T cells
Ginger and ginseng have been proven in many studies to be very useful for strengthening the immune system.
They contribute to the production of immune cells and in particular T lymphocytes. In a way, they help to fight against different kinds of infections.
3. Contributes to the improvement of the vitality of the metabolism
These two elements also contribute to the vitality of your metabolism. Consuming them regularly ensures the proper functioning of all the reactions that take place in the body.
4. Improves physical and athletic performance
In relation to physical performance, ginger and ginseng help to improve it.
They allow lengthening the amount of time of effort by reducing tiredness and muscular pains.
They are also used to reduce the time of recovery necessary after each effort.
5. May help the normal functioning of the digestive system
If you also suffer from digestive problems, do not hesitate to use one of these elements.
Indeed, they also play an important role in the proper digestion of the food consumed.
6. Enhances cognition and overall brain function
Ginger and ginseng are especially popular for their ability to improve cognitive and brain function.
Some studies have even proven that their components, in addition to improving brain function, also reduce the production of the protein responsible for Alzheimer’s disease.
As they are known to have stimulating effects on memory and concentration, consuming them regularly ensures a good quality of memory and concentration.
7. Antioxidant properties
These two ingredients also contain antioxidants. These have the role of protecting cells from the effects of free radicals, which are hyper-reactive molecules involved in cell aging.
8. Can maintain normal blood sugar
Ginger and ginseng are also used to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Indeed, when the blood sugar level is high enough, they can increase the glucose uptake by the muscle cells, thus bringing the blood sugar level back to normal.
9. May improve erectile dysfunction
They also contribute to the maintenance of satisfactory sexual relations. Indeed, ginseng and ginger are natural aphrodisiacs.
They increase libido and improve erection. In fact, in addition to being stimulants, they can help you better manage stress, one of the main factors of a decrease in the sexual regime.
10. May have anticancer potential
Ginger and ginseng are also useful in preventing certain cancers. They help reduce the appearance of abnormal cells and keep the body’s cells healthy.
According to studies, people consuming ginger and ginseng have less risk of developing different types of cancers such as those of the mouth, stomach, liver, or lungs.
11. May Relieve Symptoms of ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disease characterized by attention deficit, motor hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
It is possible to relieve these symptoms by using ginger and ginseng. These two elements are very effective when used as supplements to treat the symptoms of ADHD.
12. Promotes Heart Health
It’s really quite simple. Just walk into any good health store and you’ll notice that they sell ginger and ginseng.
Both of these elements promote blood flow and are also the drivers of excellent heart health.
13. Helps in Weight Reduction
And finally, ginger and ginseng are also known to be very good natural fat burners.
By promoting digestion, they improve the disintegration of fats and thus lead to weight loss.
VII. Safety and Potential Side Effects
Ginger as well as ginseng, despite their many health benefits, also have possible side effects, when the dose is not respected or when the patient suffers from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or high blood pressure.
It is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
In case of excessive consumption, possible side effects are heartburn and stomach ache, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and even insomnia, for ginseng.
VIII. Other Questions about the health benefits of ginger and ginseng
1. Can I Drink Ginger and Ginseng Tea Every day?
Yes, it is possible to drink ginger tea every day. However, to avoid overdose, you should not consume more than three cups per day.
2. Can I Drink Ginger and Ginseng Tea at Night?
Most often, it is recommended to take it at the beginning of the day. However, you can also drink ginger and ginseng tea at night without any worries.
Indeed, it does not have any negative effects on the quality of sleep.
3. Is Ginger and Ginseng Tea Good for Kidneys?
Of course, since they have antioxidant effects. In fact, their antioxidant properties are beneficial for the kidneys, as they help to eliminate toxins and thus purify the blood and clean the kidneys.
4. How Long Does It Take for Ginger and Ginseng to Work?
The effects of ginger and ginseng are almost instantaneous. You won’t have to wait very long to see the effects.
5. Does Ginseng Cause Blood Clots?
On the contrary, ginseng is considered to be an anticoagulant. It facilitates blood circulation and ensures a good heartbeat.
Useful Links:
Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials
Precision Research on Ginger: The Type of Ginger Matters
Panax ginseng clinical trials: Current status and future perspectives