Promotes better sleep

As obvious as it may seem, insufficient sleep is a surprisingly common reason for chronic fatigue. Many people go through life feeling too busy to slow down and get all of the rest that they need for a proper recharge. So, be honest with yourself. How many hours of sleep have you been averaging a night? If it’s anything below 7, you should work on turning in to bed earlier. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Especially if you just can’t resist scrolling through your phone at night or indulging in an episode of your favorite TV show on Netflix.

This is where ginseng, one of the oldest sleep remedies in the book, comes in. According to various studies, ginseng promotes normal sleep and wakefulness cycles, making it easier for you to catch enough zzz’s–so you wake up in the morning feeling recharged and revitalized.

Relieves excessive stress

Chronic fatigue can also be caused by prolonged stress. For instance, a 2011 study published in BMC Research Notes, which involved 2,483 participants, found a strong link between increased stress levels and fatigue. Besides, stress can also disrupt sleep and cause insomnia, which ties back to the point above (i.e. a lack of sleep).

So, how does ginseng help with this? Easy: it does so through its adaptogenic effects. In other words: through nourishing your adrenal glands, ginseng can reduce your levels of cortisol (also known as the stress hormone)–in turn, improving your body’s resilience to stress. It’s worth noting that there is even some human research reporting anti-depressant-like active compounds and mechanisms in ginseng.

Eliminates the need for caffeine

With ginseng’s energy-boosting capabilities, there’s now no need for you to turn to caffeine. And that’s a good thing. To understand why you first need to know how caffeine works. See, adenosine is a chemical that regulates your sleep-wake cycle and makes you tired when its level rises over the day. The key to caffeine’s stimulant effect lies in its ability to block your brain’s adenosine receptors.

Here’s the catch: caffeine doesn’t stop the actual production of adenosine. Meaning? The more caffeine you consume, the larger the buildup of adenosine waiting to bind to its receptors. And the more severe the fatigue! Thus, when it comes to the choice of ‘ginseng vs caffeine,’ there’s no competition here. For a long-lasting, natural balanced feeling of energy, always choose ginseng.

Ginseng tea can help you stay hydrated

Several studies show that dehydration can make you feel exhausted even when you’re well-rested. Take, for instance, this 2011 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Even though the male subjects were only mildly dehydrated, they still reported significantly high levels of fatigue, lethargy, and tiredness. These effects are not only in your mind, either. When dehydrated, you’d also find physical tasks more challenging and tiring because your muscles lack water, which is necessary for them to function properly.

While technically not a direct benefit of ginseng itself, frequently drinking ginseng tea can help you stay hydrated over the day. Bonus: besides all the usual health benefits you’d get with ginseng, its tea is also downright delicious, so you might almost forget that you’re doing something good for your health!

Want to dig into what the research says on ginseng’s fatigue-fighting abilities?

If you’ve read thus far, and are still unconvinced of ginseng’s benefits on energy, then the following comprehensive overview of research might be of use.

Fights fatigue in healthy individuals

You can find proof of this in a 2013 study published in PLoS One. In this 4-week study, researchers randomly assigned 90 individuals with chronic fatigue to 3 groups: those who received 1 gram of ginseng, 2 grams of ginseng, and finally, a placebo. Those given ginseng reported less physical and mental fatigue, plus reductions in oxidative stress, than those taking the placebo. Furthermore, a review of over 155 studies suggests that ginseng supplementation may help reduce mental fatigue and enhance physical activity!

Combats cancer-related fatigue

It’s also worthwhile noting that in a small number of independent studies, scientists have found that ginseng extracts seem to help relieve cancer-related fatigue–one of the most common adverse side effects of chemotherapy. In a 2010 study involving 290 cancer patients, more than twice as many patients taking 1,000 or 2,000 mg of ginseng a day reported less fatigue and more energy after 8 weeks compared with those given a placebo. This finding is also supported by another large study, where the same researchers found that cancer patients given 1,000 mg of ginseng twice a day for 2 weeks saw significant improvements in fatigue compared to a placebo group.

There’s more. Another study gave 364 cancer patients experiencing fatigue 2,000 mg of American ginseng or a placebo. After 8 weeks, those in the ginseng group reported significantly lower fatigue levels than those in the placebo groups.

How does ginseng boost energy?

Ultimately, while scientists aren’t exactly sure why ginseng helps combat fatigue, they hypothesize that it may be due to the natural remedy’s calming effects. Remember how excessive stress can contribute to fatigue? Yep. And if you’re wondering just how effective ginseng is as a calming agent? Well, the answer is this: very. A 2010 study published in Human Psychopharmacology, for example, found that participants who’d taken 400 mg of ginseng daily experienced an improvement in calmness.

Convinced of ginseng’s fatigue-relieving properties? Then it’s time to get your hands on some! Just note that not all ginseng you get will be of high-quality. There are quite a few things you need to take note of to ensure you’re not getting scammed. But if you honestly don’t have the time to screen through sellers? There’s a quick-fix: just get your ginseng from us! Like we always say, “we will never sell a bad ginseng.”

Consider a visit to your doctor

Still feeling tired–despite making an effort to rest, reduce stress, eat a balanced diet, and take ginseng? A visit to the doctor may be necessary. This is especially important if your fatigue levels are starting to interfere with your ability to function, including getting to work, meeting with friends, or just taking care of your daily basic needs. If this is the case, make an appointment with your primary care doctor to determine what’s wrong.

He/she will be able to do a physical exam (and likely order blood tests) to rule out serious underlying health conditions, like anemia or a thyroid disorder. Don’t see this as a hassle: knowing what’s wrong brings you a step closer to getting your energy back, after all!