Red ginseng is a form of Asian ginseng, belonging to the Panax species of ginseng, that has been used for centuries in Chinese traditional medicine to heal sickness, promote longevity, and provide wisdom to its users. Today, research on the effects of red ginseng has confirmed many of its ancient uses and dispelled others. Red ginseng is still widely used to promote health and well-being, but you should consult with a medical practitioner before you opt for its use, particularly if you plan to use it to treat a particular condition.
Immune Health
Red ginseng is thought to boost the immune system to assist the body in fighting infection and disease. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies show that red ginseng does boost immune function by increasing the number of immune cells in the blood and heightening the immune system's response to flu vaccination.
Cardiovascular Health
Both the MayoClinic.com and the University of Maryland Medical Center report that red ginseng has antioxidant effects that help destroy the free radicals that can contribute to heart disease. In addition to improving the symptoms of heart disease in patients, it may also lower the "bad" LDL cholesterol levels and raise "good" HDL cholesterol levels.
Type 2 Diabetes
Red ginseng may have the ability to lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that in some cases, red ginseng may actually raise blood sugar levels. According to the MayoClinic.com, "Long-term effects are not clear, and it is not known what doses are safe or effective. People with diabetes should seek the care of a qualified health care practitioner and should not use ginseng instead of more proven therapies."
Mental Performance
Research shows that red ginseng may give a slight boost to mental performance, including thinking and learning. The effects have been observed in a variety of subjects, including young and healthy and old and infirm. According to the MayoClinic.com, some mixed results have been observed. "Therefore, even though most available evidence supports this use of ginseng, better research is needed before a strong recommendation can be made."