Ginseng Products for the Brain

Ginseng and its main active components, ginsenosides, have a wide range of beneficial actions in the central nervous system, including the brain itself. Dragon Herbs offers a wide range of world class Ginseng products to choose from. Human studies in Japan have shown that Ginseng benefits cognition, neurological and psychomotor function in healthy subjects. Ginseng improves the functioning of the hippocampus and as a result supports cognition performance. Ginseng in general, and ginsenoside Rg1 (a major constituent of Ginseng root extract) are recognized nootropics (brain enhancing agents). Rg1 improves the proliferating ability of neuronal progenitors. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3 protect neurons from various kinds of neurotoxicity. Ginseng acts as an antioxidant in the brain protecting against free radicals. Ginsenosides enhance neurite growth of dopaminergic neurons. Ginseng has been shown in animals to increase dopamine (“the pleasure molecule”) uptake in the brain. Ginsenosides protect dopaminergic neurons and protect against the oxidative stress induced by auto-oxidation of dopamine. Ginseng elevates production of the “love neurotransmitter” NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) in the brain and induces NGF related neurites to grow. Ginseng appears to protect the innate brain immune cells known as microglia. Some ginsenosides can modulate neurotransmission in the brain. Both Rb1 and Rg1, the most abundant ginsenosides in Ginseng root, can modulate acetylcholine release and re-uptake. These compounds may benefit memory.