10 Ways to Use & Prepare Ginseng

As more and more people learn about the benefits of ginseng, the demand for different ginseng products has also increased. If you want to know the different ways you can use ginseng to improve your health, below are 10 options for you:

1. Ginseng capsules

At health food shops, herbal stores, and other similar establishments, it is not hard to find ginseng products in the form of capsules Usually, you can find these ginseng supplements in packs, boxes, or plastic bottles that contain 30, 50, 75, or 100 capsules each. Dosage can vary, from 100 milligrams to 600 milligrams per capsule and, depending on your needs and your doctor’s advice, you can consume up to 3,000 milligrams daily for three months.

For best results, you should take one in the morning with your meal. Try not to do it late in the day, especially at night, as you may have trouble falling asleep.

2. Dried ginseng root chews

Keeping your energy levels up throughout the day can get increasingly harder as you grow older. Fortunately, chewing slices of ginseng can help fix that.

Using fresh ginseng, you can make your own chewy ginseng snacks that you can take with you wherever you go and whenever you start feeling hungry and tired. Just purchase some dried ginseng roots, slice them into bite-size pieces, and steam them in a cooker or steamer. Depending on how thick the ginseng root slices are, the chews should be soft and ready in about 15 to 30 minutes. You can then either eat them right away or let them air dry for a couple of days and store them in a container.

3. Ginseng tea

You can have better and healthier morning or afternoon tea experiences by switching to ginseng tea. To prepare, you have a few options.

The easiest way is to simply buy ginseng tea bags. Just boil a pot of water, add your desired number of tea bags, and mix with honey, ginger, and other herbs to enhance the flavor. Or, you can get whole ginseng roots and boil them in water. The next step is to strain the roots to collect the tea, and then add honey to serve. Another way you can consider is to grind dried ginseng into coarse flakes using a coffee grinder. You then need to put the flakes in a cup, pour hot water, and allow them to steep for a few minutes. Strain the tea and add honey for a hint of sweetness before drinking.

4. Ginseng iced tea

During the summer, a lot of people drink ice cold juices, soft drinks, beer, and other beverages to stay cool. However, if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, these are things that you should stay away from. Fortunately, you can make your own ginseng iced tea at home and enjoy a healthy and refreshing summer.

To make ginseng iced tea, you need Korean or American ginseng tea bags. You can also make your own by adding about 4 to 5 grams of Korean or American ginseng tea powder to an empty tea bag or tea steeper for every 8 ounces of freshly boiled water. Let the mixture steep for 5 minutes or so. Then, take the tea bags out, pour in some honey, and store the tea in the fridge until it achieves the coldness that you prefer.

5. Ginseng coffee

Many people have the habit of starting their day with a hot cup of coffee. Without that caffeine, it is usually hard for them to go on with their day-to-day routines. If this sounds like you and you want to make your daily coffee habit more beneficial to your health, you can make that happen by adding ginseng.

Using your coffee grinder, you can grind ginseng chunks in with your whole coffee beans. The recommended amount of ginseng to use per 8 ounces of brewed coffee is 2 grams. Allow the mixture to be grounded evenly, stopping and opening the grinder a few times to stir its contents to achieve the best texture. Once ready, pour the ground ginseng and coffee into the coffee filter and brew. To serve, you can add a bit of honey to enhance the flavor.

6. Ginseng smoothie

Your body needs to get the right amount of essential vitamins and minerals every day to function properly, and one way to achieve that is by drinking smoothies. Made using fresh fruits and vegetables, smoothies are loaded with fiber and important nutrients that can help lower your risk of chronic conditions and boost your overall health.

To blend your own ginseng smoothies at home, you need your usual smoothie ingredients plus ginseng powder. Mix whatever fruits you prefer to use in your smoothies with just one or two teaspoons of ginseng powder, so you can take its nutritional value to a higher level.

7. Ginseng as a spice

In case you did not know, fresh ginseng is bitter and earthy, with a hint of sweetness. If you want to mix things up with your usual home-cooked meals, you can use ginseng as a spice to enhance the flavors.

You can cut fresh ginseng into thin slices, soak them overnight, and use them in your favorite salad recipe and other side dishes. You can also boil the root until it becomes soft, mash it, and add it to a broth. Another method you can try is to chop the root into small cubes and stir fry it with rice and/or vegetables.

8. To make soup

Soups are known as excellent comfort foods. If the weather is cold or if you are feeling sick, they can help boost your immune system, enhance your mood, and make you feel better.

By adding ginseng to your favorite soup recipe, you can get more benefits from every spoonful you eat. You just need to acquire some dried ginseng root and follow the steps to make your preferred soup recipe. Simply add the ginseng root to the pot with the other ingredients. Allow the soup to cook for a few hours so that the roots soften. Then, you can either take the roots out of the pot and discard them or slice them into small pieces and put them back in the pot to boost taste and texture.

9. Ginseng alcohol

Your favorite alcoholic drink can also be made better and stronger by adding some ginseng. Whether you like vodka or you are more of a wine person, you can try mixing ginseng to avail of certain benefits.

According to research, alcoholic beverages with ginseng have been found to have better control at managing blood levels after 30 minutes to an hour of drinking. They also cause milder hangover symptoms. Thus, at home, you can take a large jar and fill it with your alcohol of choice and then add fresh ginseng roots. Close and seal the lid tightly and leave it in a cool dark area for at least six months.

10. Ginseng cream

Ginseng contains vitamin D and vitamin B12, two compounds that can help improve blood and oxygen circulation in the body and promote collagen production. Because of this, it is also used to make anti-aging skin creams.

For smoother and firmer skin, you can apply anti-aging ginseng cream every day. With consistent use, your skin will be better hydrated, softer, and clearer.