For thousands of years, humans have exploited the properties of ginseng root, in particular to have more energy and strengthen the immune system. Ginseng can be taken in many ways, for example with the fresh root you can prepare a herbal tea, an alcoholic infusion or you can steam it briefly. If you prefer, you can dry and store it to have it available whenever you need it. Ginseng root is also available in the form of a dietary supplement: in capsules or in powder form.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Take the Ginseng Root
Step 1. Make ginseng tea
You can buy handy sachets at the supermarket or you can easily make it from scratch using ginseng root. All you need is a teapot, a colander and a fresh or dried ginseng root. Cut it into thin slices, 3 will be needed for each cup of herbal tea. Wait for the water to boil before turning off the stove.
- There are two ways to make ginseng tea. You can put the slices you made from the root directly into the saucepan or into a tea infuser. Pour the boiling water over the filter and let the ginseng steep for 5 minutes.
- You can sweeten herbal tea with honey without compromising its health benefits.
Step 2. Infuse the root in an alcoholic drink
Cut a fresh or dried ginseng root into small pieces, then transfer them to a jar with an airtight lid. At this point, fill the jar with a liqueur of your choice, for example you can use rum, gin, vodka or ethyl alcohol if you prefer. Keep the jar in a cool place and let the ginseng infuse for 15-30 days.
- The alcoholic infusion will be taken in very small quantities, about 5-15 drops at a time.
- Filter the infusion before using it.
- Since you will only have to take a few drops at a time, it is sufficient to prepare a small amount of the infusion. 250 ml of liqueur and a ginseng root are enough to obtain an infusion that will last for years if you keep it in a cool place away from light.
- You can use any liqueur that has an alcohol content between 45 and 95 degrees.
Step 3. Take ginseng in the form of a dietary supplement
Ask your pharmacist, your doctor or herbalist for advice to be sure you are choosing a valid product among the many available on the market. Generally capsule supplements contain between 100 and 400 mg of ginseng root, but you can take up to 3,000 mg per day.
You should take your daily dose of ginseng in the morning, when you have breakfast, to get the most benefits from the root without risking possible side effects. If you take it in the evening, you may have a hard time falling asleep
Step 4. Steam the ginseng root before eating
If you have a fresh or wild root available, you can eat it after steaming it. Cut it and place it in the steamer basket over the boiling water. Let it cook for 15 minutes, then eat it on its own or incorporate it into a recipe.
Red ginseng (sometimes known as Korean ginseng) has already been steamed
Step 5. Stop taking ginseng if you experience any side effects
Ginseng can cause some generally mild adverse effects. You should consult your doctor before taking it if you use any medications or other supplements or if you experience any unwanted symptoms. Although these are usually mild side effects, it is best to stop taking it if you have the following symptoms:
- Nervousness or agitation
- Rapid heartbeat;
- Dysentery;
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headache;
- Low blood pressure.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Fit with Ginseng
Step 1. Take ginseng in drink form to feel more alert and energetic
Ginseng root has the ability to make you feel more alert, focused and alert throughout the day. You can take it in the form of an energy drink, juice or herbal tea to get these benefits.
- You can drink a drink that contains ginseng root for breakfast as a coffee substitute to feel more energetic throughout the day.
- Remember that ginseng can interfere with sleep quality, so it's best to consume it early in the day.
- If you are feeling nervous, anxious or agitated, you may have taken too much of it. These are usually transient sensations, but you should see your doctor if you feel unwell.
Step 2. Take ginseng in combination with cancer drugs
Ginseng cannot cure the disease, but it may be able to alleviate the symptoms and slightly reduce the incidence of cancer. Check with your healthcare provider before you start taking ginseng root to make sure it doesn't interfere negatively with any medications you have been prescribed.
- Taken daily in capsules, ginseng may relieve the feeling of fatigue in cancer patients.
- Ginseng should only be used in conjunction with other prescribed medical treatments. Do not start taking it without first checking with your doctor.
Step 3. Prevent colds and flu with ginseng during the winter season
Taken twice daily in supplement form, ginseng can help boost your immune system so you don't get sick. If you already have a cold or the flu, you can take it to relieve symptoms and try to speed up the course of the disease.
If you are over 65, the best way to avoid getting sick is to get the flu shot
Step 4. Avoid ginseng if you have certain medical conditions
In general, ginseng is a safe ingredient for everyone and does not cause unwanted interactions with most drugs. However, people with certain diseases or taking certain medicines should avoid it as it may cause ailments.
- Ginseng root can interact with insulin, antipsychotic medications, and blood thinners.
- Ginseng is a stimulant, so if you take other substances that cause the same effect (for example, caffeine) or if you have a heart condition, it is best to avoid it.
- Ginseng should also be avoided during pregnancy because the possible effects on the unborn child are not yet known.
Part 3 of 3: Drying the Fresh Ginseng Root
Step 1. Rinse the root
If you grew it yourself, wash it immediately after harvesting. Immerse it in a basin full of water and move it gently to dissolve the earth residues. After rinsing it thoroughly, let it dry naturally in the air out of direct sunlight.
Ginseng root has a very fragile and thin skin so try not to rub it so as not to break it
Step 2. Steam the ginseng if desired
When it is treated with steam before being dried it is called red ginseng, while the one that is only dried is called white ginseng. To get red ginseng, you need to steam it for 1 to 3 hours.
- You can use a pot and a steamer basket. Make sure you use an appropriate amount of water for the cooking time.
- This step is optional. If your recipe instructs you to use white ginseng, you can skip to the next point.
Step 3. Dehydrate the ginseng using a dryer
Place the roots on the nets or trays making sure they don't touch each other. Set the dryer temperature to 32-35 ° C and let them dry for 2 weeks.
- Don't try to dehydrate ginseng using the microwave, oven, or sun, as it may dry out too quickly. Keep the roots out of sunlight as they dehydrate.
- It is not possible to use the oven as the ginseng roots have to dehydrate very slowly over a couple of weeks. You can use an aromatic herb dryer that guarantees a low and constant temperature.
Advice
- American and Korean ginseng can be prepared and consumed in the same way.
- Ginseng can improve mental performance, but not physical stamina.
