Ginseng has been taken for centuries as a therapeutic supplement for all ages and genders, but is increasing in popularity for its benefits towards female health.
WIth a vast majority of the female population suffering with hormone related issues such as imbalances, infertility, PCOS and PMS symptoms to name a few, the option of a natural supplement to support this is the answer a lot of females are searching for.
So how does it help?
The biggest way that ginseng contributes to hormonal related issues is by its ability to help restore balance to hormone levels. Studies have shown that ginseng can help to balance hormones due to its involvement in adjusting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis which is the body’s mechanism that balances and controls hormones (Lee & Rhee, 2017).
What in particular can it help with?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an extremely common hormonal dysfunction experienced by a lot of women that can lead to symptoms such as infertility, irregular and painful periods, higher testosterone leading to increased body hair, acne and weight gain, and ovarian cysts. A study on animals showed Ginseng’s ability to reduce nerve growth factor and cyst development in animals with PCOS. It has been shown that the production of nerve growth factor is increased in patients with PCOS, the ginsenoside component of ginseng has shown ability to reduce this resulting in a reduction in cysts and restoration of hormone balance (Jung et al., 2011).
Ginseng has also shown promising results in supporting symptoms associated with menopause. Studies have shown significant improvements in side effects such as hot flashes, sleeplessness, mood changes, decreased libido, brain fog and vaginal dryness with the supplement of ginseng. After 12 weeks of 3g daily ginseng supplementation, women aged between 45-60 years old reported a significant reduction in the menopausal symptoms mentioned above (Kim et al., 2012).
As mentioned already, ginseng was able to improve libido in menopausal women, studies have also shown its ability to improve overall sexual functioning in females of all ages (Chung et al., 2015).
An overall health kick!
On top of these female specific benefits, Ginseng is a great all rounder for improving mental health, increasing immunity, boosting energy and keeping the body healthy and functioning. Having your daily dose of ginseng is a must have for any female wanting to improve their health, life quality and hormone balance!
References
Chung, H. S., Hwang, I., Oh, K. J., Lee, M. N., & Park, K. (2015). The Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on Sexual Function in Premenopausal Women: Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Crossover Clinical Trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2015, 913158. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/913158
Jung, J. H., Park, H. T., Kim, T., Jeong, M. J., Lim, S. C., Nah, S. Y., Cho, I. H., Park, S. H., Kang, S. S., Moon, C. J., Kim, J. C., Kim, S. H., & Bae, C. S. (2011). Therapeutic effect of korean red ginseng extract on infertility caused by polycystic ovaries. Journal of ginseng research, 35(2), 250–255. https://doi.org/10.5142/jgr.2011.35.2.250
Kim, S. Y., Seo, S. K., Choi, Y. M., Jeon, Y. E., Lim, K. J., Cho, S., Choi, Y. S., & Lee, B. S. (2012). Effects of red ginseng supplementation on menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 19(4), 461–466. https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e3182325e4b
Lee, S., & Rhee, D. K. (2017). Effects of ginseng on stress-related depression, anxiety, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Journal of ginseng research, 41(4), 589–594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2017.01.010
