Enjoy the gift of ginseng–free shipping for orders over 200

Ginseng & Immune System Ginseng & Immune System

CAN GINSENG BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?

With the still-ongoing coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on global healthcare systems and economies, there appears little we’re advised to do in-between washing our hands regularly, wearing face masks, and practising social distancing. But did you know? Another way you could help yourself–and others around you–is to ensure that your immune system is as strong as it can be. That way, you’ll be able to ward off any ‘outsider invader,’ like the coronavirus. But wait, there’s just an important question: “How?” It comes down to one of the most commonly used herbal medicines used by humans for thousands of years. It’s none other than ginseng.

HOW DOES THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORK?

Before we dive into ginseng’s effects on the immune system, it’s vital first to have a basic understanding of the immune system–including how it works. Your immune system is made up of various organs, cells, and proteins. It is responsible for protecting your body from harmful substances by recognizing, responding to, and getting rid of antigens. Examples of antigens include the proteins on the surfaces of fungi, viruses, and bacteria (i.e. foreign, harmful invaders).

GINSENG AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

As it turns out, incorporating ginseng into your lifestyle can help strengthen your immunity. That’s because this ‘cure-all’ has been extensively reported to enhance an individual’s resistance to illness or microbial attacks through the regulation of the immune system. More specifically, studies have found that specific immune cells are more numerous or more active in healthy volunteers who take ginseng than in people who take a placebo. A 2007 study found that people who take ginseng could have up to 35% higher chance of living disease-free for 5 years after curative surgery and up to a 38% higher survival rate compared to those not taking it! Anyone would agree that those are impressive numbers.

There is also evidence that suggests ginseng supplementation can lead to improvements in immune markers in people with cancer, too. Ginseng also appears to enhance immune activity in patients with AIDS and chronic fatigue syndrome. Most promising of all, in the context of the ongoing pandemic, is that ginseng extract appears to enhance the effect of vaccinations against diseases like influenza (which is also virus-mediated, like COVID-19).

OTHER LIFESTYLE TIPS FOR OPTIMAL IMMUNE HEALTH

With all that said, it’s still crucial to note that optimal immune health often relies on a multifaceted approach; to bolster your immunity, making healthy lifestyle choices–along with supplementing with ginseng, of course!–is critical. And that means you should eat more fruits and vegetables, get adequate sleep (that’s 7 to 9 hours) nightly, and keep your stress levels in check.

And… Of course, please do not forget to keep washing your hands before and after any risky exposure (e.g. treating a wound or caring for a sick loved one). It is still one of the best ways to prevent infection from viruses or bacteria. It won’t support your immune system, but it does keep you protected, nonetheless. So do more of it!