Top 5 Powerful Benefits of Canadian Ginseng

I’ve written extensively on the health benefits of different types of plants and spices, including the best herbs for stress relief and how to use adaptogens. I love sharing the amazing ways that we can support our health using the bounty of Mama Earth!

In this post I want to highlight an incredible plant grown right here in Ontario that can support your whole body–North American or more specifically, as we’ll see below, Canadian ginseng! I’m excited to share five amazing health benefits of Canadian ginseng, plus how to use it and where to find the best quality products for your health.

While there are many varieties of ginseng, the two that are most commonly used in herbal medicine are Chinese ginseng (panax ginseng) and North American ginseng (panax quinquefolius). Even though it’s often referred to as North American Ginseng, did you know that most of this amazing adaptogen is actually grown in Canada? In fact some of the best quality ginseng in the world is grown right here in my home province of Ontario!

Some of the best quality ginseng in the world is grown in Ontario!

For centuries, ginseng has been used to support health and vitality. In fact it has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2,000 years. It is highly sought after for its medicinal properties and widely accepted by both the First Nations and the Chinese culture where it is considered to be good for every part of our bodies.

The primary active ingredient in North American ginseng is a group of chemicals called ginsenosides. These ginsenosides have many pharmacological actions, which we’ll look at in more detail below.

While there is a lot of promising research on the amazing health benefits of Canadian ginseng, it’s worth noting that modern science hasn’t fully caught up to traditional wisdom, so more research is needed to fully understand the effects of this super-charged adaptogen on the human body.

Research has shown improved memory in both young and older adults with daily consumption of ginseng. This 2019 double-blind, placebo-controlled study further supports those results, demonstrating that a combination of Canadian ginseng and bacopa improved working memory. Also, early study results have shown promising results in improving symptoms for those who have ADHD.

Canadian ginseng may also help protect the brain.

Canadian ginseng may also help protect the brain. This study highlights the neuroprotective benefits of the active chemical group, ginsenosides and found that they helped with nerve growth. Both of these actions may contribute to the overall enhancement of cognitive function that Canadian ginseng demonstrates.

That’s not all, a 2019 review of research said it appears to enhance cognitive function and alertness, something I think we can all use a little more of. If you can tolerate caffeine, you can supercharge the brain-boosting benefits of Canadian ginseng by brewing up a cup of this ginseng coffee!

Our immune systems are intelligent and work hard to keep us healthy and strong, but sometimes they need a little extra support, especially if we’re feeling run down or stressed out. That’s where Canadian ginseng can make a great addition to your herbal medicine cabinet. According to this 2017 review, it may offer protection against viral respiratory tract infections such as the common cold, influenza, and other flu-like illnesses.

Ginseng may offer protection against viral respiratory tract infections such as the common cold, influenza, and other flu-like illnesses.

Two key studies compared Ontario-grown ginseng with a placebo in randomized, double-blind studies–that’s the gold standard we look for when evaluating research quality. One of these trials looked at the effects of North American Ginseng in the prevention of acute respiratory illness in elderly adults. After 8-12 weeks, the study participants taking ginseng experienced an 89% reduction in the risk of developing cold or flu.

When I’m feeling a little under the weather I love making a nourishing tea using Canadian ginseng honey + apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and hot water. It’s a simple pick-me-up that not only tastes great, but also supports gut and immune health!

I don’t think any of us would turn down the opportunity to have a little extra pep in our step! If you’re looking to support your body’s natural energy production, Canadian ginseng may be the perfect addition to your supplement routine. In fact some animal studies have linked certain components in ginseng, such as polysaccharides and oligopeptides, with lower oxidative stress and higher energy production in cells, which could help decrease fatigue. These fatigue-decreasing benefits are something that Canadian ginseng has in common with Chinese ginseng.

Canadian ginseng can help decrease fatigue.

Not only does Canadian ginseng boost natural energy, it can also reduce exercise induced muscle damage thanks to powerful antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory effects in the body. That combination of more energy + less post-exercise inflammation can help you achieve all of your fitness goals!

If you’re looking for a comforting and cozy way to incorporate ginseng into your diet, try this amazing Ginseng Chai Tea Rice Pudding! You can use organic milk (or goat milk) if you can tolerate dairy or sub in your favourite plant-based milk.

I’ve said it before and I will keep saying it until it becomes common knowledge: maintaining stable blood sugar levels is a major foundation of lasting, joyous health! Adding Canadian ginseng to your routine can help stabilize blood sugar whether you currently have diabetes or are focusing on prevention.

If you’re looking to prevent the development of diabetes, these studies found that taking Ontario-grown ginseng before a meal can significantly reduce the post-meal glucose spike.

Taking ginseng before a meal can reduce the post-meal glucose spike.

For those who already have a diabetes diagnosis, this study from 2018 showed that adding ginseng to a diabetic treatment plan had a meaningful impact on lipid levels and HbA1c, which is a measure of long term glucose control. Maintaining a low HbA1c can help reduce the risks of developing diabetic complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

If you want to help control your blood sugar, start with an anti-inflammatory whole foods diet and then see whether adding Canadian ginseng could be a helpful addition. Or combine the best of both worlds with this hearty and nourishing Ginseng Beef Stew.

With the busyness of life, sometimes we need a little helping hand to get in the mood. In Chinese medicine, ginseng has a long use as a natural aphrodisiac. To test whether there was any merit to this use of ginseng, researchers found in these animal studies that Canadian ginseng significantly enhanced male libido and sexual performance. Interestingly, these effects may not be due to ginseng's impact on hormone levels, but to the direct effects of its ginsenoside components on the central nervous system and gonadal tissues.

To boost the aphrodisiac powers of Canadian ginseng, try enjoying it combined with chocolate in these delicious Ginseng Power Balls!

Now you’re probably wondering, where do I find quality ginseng? Your local health food store or herbal dispensary or Asian supermarket is the best place to source Canadian ginseng. You can also find certified Canadian ginseng sellers and retailers on Ginseng Ontario's website. And when it comes to which form is best, since fresh ginseng root is difficult to source yourself, taking it as a capsule or in a powder form is the easiest way to use it in recipes or take it as a supplement.

Now that you're a natural plant medicine pro, you can visit Ginseng Ontario to learn more about the incredible Ontario ginseng farmers, where to buy the best quality ginseng, delicious recipes that incorporate this super adaptogen, and more amazing health benefits of Canadian ginseng!

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