Korean Red Ginseng - Effective Natural Supplement to Promote Sleep

With insomnia and sleep problems quite common around the world, we often look for a natural supplement as a solution. Well, Korean Red Ginseng may serve as that natural supplement. Research shows Korean Red Ginseng has a significant potential to alleviate sleep problems, and help people get a sound sleep.

Ginseng does not come in its red version naturally. Ginseng roots are originally white in color. Red Ginseng is attained by heating Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) through steaming process or by exposing it to direct sunlight. Conversion of white ginseng into Red Ginseng locks all natural elements of the ginseng root, preventing any loss of the herb's medicinal benefits. Korean Red Ginseng, which plant is grown for 6 years, is the best kind of ginseng available in the world with a host of healing properties.

Korean Red Ginseng Can Help with Sleep

A study was conducted to determine if Red Ginseng extract influences sleeping behaviors in human beings.

In the study, 1500 mg of Red Ginseng extract (RGE) was given orally to young, healthy male volunteers aged between 15 and 37 years. RGE was administered to these volunteers 3 times per day for 7 days. Overnight PSG (polysomnographic) studies were done two times – 1 day before the administration of RGE and 7 days after the administration. Researchers investigated variations in parameters of sleep architecture like total sleep time (TST), proportion of every sleep stage, sleep efficacy (SE – total time of sleep/time in bed), and wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO), within baseline PSG and PSG post administration of RGE.

In the results, it was found that total wake time (TWT) was reduced significantly and sleep efficacy was increased, although there was a reduction in slow wave sleep phase 1, and an increase in non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep after administration.

From these study results, it can be considered that intake of Red Ginseng extract would improve sleep quality, thereby proving to be beneficial for sleep disturbed individuals.

This study supports the theory that Korean ginseng can play the role of a stimulant as well as a sedative. A noteworthy fact about ginseng is that it is an 'adaptogen'. Adaptogens are plant extracts which balance the response of the body to stressors, both daily and cellular. Kevin Spelman, a well-recognized lecturer of Maryland University of Integrative Health, stated that Red Ginseng produces an effect on the stress axis, or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the herb helps in normalizing the stress response of the body. If your nervous system has an excessive response to stressors, under many circumstances, ginseng's active components support homeostatic response to bring it back to a normal baseline. On the other hand, if the response is deficient, the herb will bring it up.

So, what is the reason behind Korean Red Ginseng's sleep benefits? According to Spelman, the restorative effects of Red Ginseng on nervous system are responsible for the herb's sleep promotion properties. By taming frazzled nerves and soothing run-down sluggishness, Red Ginseng enabled the participants to have a good rest at night.

In Conclusion

Although further research is needed to find out exactly how Korean Red Ginseng sedates the mind, the research till now suggests that the red root has a significant potential to improve sleep and eliminate various sleep issues. If you wish to take ginseng supplements, ensure that you get supplements made from 6-year grown Korean Red Ginseng only, since such ginseng has all the health benefits the herb can offer. Moreover, trust only the best Korean Red Ginseng providers when buying the supplements. Korea Ginseng Corp (CheongKwanJang in Korean) is the oldest and most trusted Red Ginseng manufacturer. Korea Ginseng Corp (KGC) provides the best quality, authentic 6-years-grown Korean Red Ginseng products with 118 years of trusted reputation.

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23872254