Chapter 5: Red Ginseng and Erectile Dysfunction

If you have a problem with getting an erection from time to time; you should not be that concerned. Multiple factors can keep a man from achieving an erection occasionally. It’s when the problems persist that you need to start looking into what is causing it. There could be health issues or bad habits that are contributing to your ED. Once you find out what is causing it; you can start looking into treatment options that are relative to your condition.

As we have discussed; some causes of ED can be mental, but more often than not, they are physical. Heart problems, problems with our nervous system and various diseases like Diabetes can cause ED. If we make a concentrated effort to lead a healthier lifestyle; we can prevent the onset of these conditions.

Using supplements containing things like red ginseng root have been used to promote overall health and erection problems. Let’s look into Korean Red Ginseng and see exactly how it affects erectile dysfunction.

Korean Red Ginseng

Ginseng is a plant that grows in Asia as well as Siberia and America. Korean Red Ginseng, also known as Panax Ginseng or Chinese Ginseng, grows in Asia and is much different from the other ginseng plants.

The part of the plant that is used as a health supplement is the root. The best quality ginseng is pretty expensive because of how long it takes the plant to grow. A good quality ginseng root comes from a plant that has been growing for at least five years. The root is dried and becomes white ginseng. In order for the root to become red ginseng; it must be steamed first before it is dried.

Benefits of Red Ginseng

Red ginseng has been used in Eastern medicine for many centuries as a supplement that promotes overall health. Besides treating ED; it is also used to treat Diabetes, strengthen the immune system, promote cardiovascular health and give you more energy. It is also given as a supplement to reduce stress.

The reason that early medicinal practitioners started experimenting with red ginseng root is because the root is shaped like the human body. It looks like it has little arms and legs shooting out of it so they believed that it must be good for the body. In modern times; there has been more tests done so we know more about how red ginseng truly affects our health and our ED.

Ginseng for Erectile Dysfunction

The way that ginseng was discovered might sound silly to us today. We wouldn’t dream of looking at a plant with a root shaped like a human body and assume it cures us in modern times. This is why studies have been conducted in recent years to see if red ginseng really has an effect in treating ED.

One such study was conducted on 45 men with erectile dysfunction and published in the American Journal of Urology. Each of the 45 men were given either a supplement of Korean red ginseng or a placebo that had no affect at all. The men were not told which they were given.

The men who were given the red ginseng took 900mg of the supplement 3 times a day for 8 weeks. At the conclusion of the study; the men who were given the red ginseng showed a noticeable improvement over the men who took the placebo. Thus determining that red ginseng was indeed a viable remedy for ED in some men.

Supplements Using Ginseng

Ginseng can be prepared in several different ways to make supplements. When you buy supplements made from ginseng; be sure to check the label carefully to see what kind of ginseng it is. Siberian and American Ginseng are not the same plant. You want to be sure it’s Korean or Chinese Ginseng and make sure it is red. White ginseng could be useful as well, but there has been much more successful studies conducted using red ginseng.

Red ginseng supplements come in capsules, liquids and powders. You can also buy the red ginseng root directly and boil it yourself. You can boil the root and make tea out of it. Make sure to consult your physician before using ginseng supplements or making the tea, especially if you are on medications.

Ginseng Effects on Women

Besides the studies done on red ginseng’s effects on ED; there have also been studies conducted on women who are in menopause. Menopause happens naturally with women when they age and their sex drive starts to dissipate.

The same type of study was done on over 30 women where some women were given a red ginseng supplement and some were given a placebo. At the conclusion of the study; the women who were given the red ginseng showed a noticeable improvement in how they functioned sexually over the women who took the placebo. Thus determining that red ginseng was indeed a viable treatment for the symptoms of female menopause.

Red Ginseng: The Side Effects

Red Ginseng is a fairly harmless herb when taken in moderation over a short period of time. Prolonged intake of the herb, however, might start to have some minor negative effects. These side effects do not occur in everyone, but insomnia is the most common. Here are a few side effects that have been experienced by some people who have taken red ginseng supplements.

• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Elevated Heart Rate
• Diarrhea

Mixing Ginseng with Medication

Another rare health risk of taking ginseng supplements is mixing it with other medications you might be taking. It is rare for these drugs to have an adverse reaction when mixed with ginseng, but it has been known to happen. If you take any of the medications below; be sure to consult your physician before you take ginseng supplements. Note: Be careful when mixing ginseng with caffeine because ginseng makes caffeine absorb into the body too quickly.

• Insulin
• Blood Thinners
• Stimulants
• Medication for Blood Pressure
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
• Immune System Suppressants