Tag Archives: digestive health

5 Reasons to Add Ginseng to Your Diet, from Cold Prevention to Stress Reduction

ginseng

Ginseng root is an herb that has been used for thousands of years to promote healing and vitality throughout the body. American Ginseng has been studied for the past number of years to examine it’s benefits as a stress reducer, immunity booster, digestive and anti-aging aid… just to name a few! The National Institutes of Health has even declared American Ginseng an endangered species because so many people try to harvest it for its many valued uses.

So why should you find more ways to sneak some more of this super beneficial herb? Here are 5 BIG reasons:

1. Ginseng Prevents Colds and Flu
Consider swapping or supplementing your over-the-counter cold remedy with a dose of ginseng. Increasing evidence is validating the effectiveness of a ginseng extract daily around flu season can help prevent cold or flu symptoms. Sniffles already settle in? Fear not: it is also likely that ginseng helps minimize symptoms and shorten the duration of your cold because of the high levels of polysaccharides, a complex carbohydrate known to boost immune response, according to this recent study.

2. Ginseng Decreases Stress
Looking for some support for your hectic, busy life? The ancient Chinese began using ginseng to nourish the “Yin” or the part of us that tends to get overstimulated. To this day, ginseng helps promote balance, increases energy, and replenishes adrenal function. Research has found that the substances released in ginseng directly affect the adrenal glands, where stress hormones are produced. Prolonged stress causes adrenal fatigue, causing unattractive symptoms like chronic low energy, weight gain, anxiety, depression, and decreased immunity. Let ginseng help you prevent those!

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What Being Regular Really Means

Let’s get personal, shall we?

The other day while driving back to the office from lunch, I felt the urge to use the restroom. And for some reason in that moment, I realized I do so a lot, perhaps more than the average person.

I’ve always thought that was because I’m typically well hydrated, drinking the recommended 6-8 glasses of water a day. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe I was frequenting the loo too often. Gasp. So, I started to wonder how many times a healthy person should go to the bathroom a day. Our resident dietitian Mary Hartley, RD gladly weighed in. (more…)