Ginseng is arguably the most well-known medicinal herb in the world. Once considered the elixir of life, ginseng was highly valued in ancient times and its use was reserved only for royalty and those who could afford it.

Different varieties of ginseng exist in various parts of the world, but only one is known as the “true ginseng.” Panax ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng or Korean ginseng, is a plant native to the mountains of East Asia, more specifically, the mountainsides of Korea, China and Russia.

While Asian ginseng grows to a height of about two feet and bears red berries, its root is its most sought-after part. Widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Asian ginseng is more popular today as the main ingredient of herbal supplements.

Among the many benefits associated with ginseng supplements, the most notable ones are boosting energy levels, lowering blood cholesterol and sugar, improving sexual dysfunction in men and reducing stress levels.

But the root of Asian ginseng, especially when steamed repeatedly to produce black ginseng, is also good for diabetes. According to a recent study, black ginseng can benefit Type 2 diabetics by improving their blood sugar control, reducing their blood cholesterol and suppressing the accumulation of fat in their livers.

How different types of ginseng are made

Asian ginseng sold on the market usually comes in two forms: red ginseng and white ginseng. Red ginseng is produced from ginseng roots that have been ripened for at least six years. After harvest, these roots are exposed to hot air flow until their surfaces become firm and glassy and their color changes to red.

White ginseng, on the other hand, is the unprocessed version of red ginseng, meaning it no longer goes through the heating process. After harvest, the ginseng root is immediately dried or turned into powder and sold, hence it retains its white color.

A third form of Asian ginseng, called black ginseng because of its charred appearance, is also available but at a much higher price. Black ginseng is made by steaming and drying red or white ginseng three to nine times until its color darkens.

This extra processing is done to enhance the beneficial properties of the ginseng root. According to studies, black ginseng contains a higher concentration of ginsenosides than red or white ginseng. Ginsenosides are the active components of ginseng responsible for most of its medicinal properties.

Besides having anti-cancer and antioxidant effects, black ginseng is also said to help boost brain function, improve memory, increase insulin sensitivity and restore the pancreatic B cell function (i.e., insulin production).

Why drinking black ginseng tea is good for diabetics

In a study published in the journal BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, researchers from South Korea looked at the anti-diabetic properties of black ginseng. They used mice with Type 2 diabetes for their experiments and treated the animals with black ginseng extracts for four weeks.

The researchers then collected various samples for analysis to see how black ginseng affected the animals’ fasting blood glucose, blood cholesterol levels and liver health. They also examined how the herb exerts its beneficial effects inside the body.

The researchers found that diabetic mice treated with black ginseng extracts experienced a decrease in fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance, while the non-treated mice showed no significant changes.

Blood sample analysis also revealed that black ginseng decreased the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride and total cholesterol levels of the diabetic mice. Meanwhile, a look at the mice’s livers showed that black ginseng caused a decrease in fat accumulation and protected their muscles from further damage.

In addition, the researchers found that black ginseng improved the expression of genes and proteins related to glucose balance and glucose uptake in the liver and muscles.

This suggests that the anti-diabetic effects of black ginseng may be due to its ability to suppress the production of glucose, which, in turn, forces liver and muscle cells to increase their absorption of glucose from the blood.

These findings show that drinking black ginseng tea can be beneficial for people suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

Other health benefits of black ginseng

Aside from improving symptoms of diabetes, black ginseng offers other health benefits, such as:

• Increased energy levels
• Improved cognitive performance
• Reduced inflammation
• Improved symptoms of erectile dysfunction
• Enhanced immune function
• Reduced risk of developing cancer

To enjoy the health benefits of ginseng, you can choose to consume the herb either as a supplement or as an herbal tea. However, be mindful of the dosage, potency and purity of the product you are purchasing. To ensure the safety and quality of a ginseng product, check the label for the amount and purity of the ginsenoside it contains and buy only from trusted sources.

Sources:

VeryWellHealth.com

MedicalNewsToday.com

BMCComplementMedTherapies.BiomedCentral.com

FloraFarm.de

Healthline.com