Amazing Benefits Of Ginseng For Skin

“Ginseng”- we often come across this word on the packages of homeopathic medicines. It is a popular health benefiting substance, but few of us actually know about this ingredient. Ginseng is basically a nutritious herb belonging to the 11 species of slow growing perennial plants of the family Araliaceae. It is a medicinal plant with fleshy roots and flourishes in Siberia, Northern China and Korea. Tropical ginseng, belonging to the species Panax vietnamensis, is also found in Vietnam. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) belongs to the same family but not the same genus like true ginseng. It is also an adaptogenic herb whose active compounds are eleutherosides as against ginsenosides in true ginseng. It possesses a woody root instead of a fleshy one.Ginseng is a health benefiting ingredient and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Now it has been widely adopted in many western countries due to its medicinal properties. In fact, ginseng tea is the latest fad when it comes to health drinks. It is also available in powdered form in capsules, root extracts and honeyed root in medical stores. Ginseng tea is, however, considered more effective as it helps the ginseng to get into the bloodstream faster while it is absorbed by the stomach lining. This herb can influence your health and beauty in various ways.

Types of Ginseng:Broadly there are three varieties of ginseng on the basis of the place of origin.

• American Ginseng: American ginseng or Panax quinquefolium L.ginseng has its origin in southern Ontario from where it spread to Georgia and Wisconsin. It is commercially cultivated in China. It is known for its calming effect that helps in alleviating stress.

• Asiatic Ginseng: Asiatic or Panax ginseng has its origin in North Korea and China. It is red in colour and is prepared by processing and steaming Panax white ginseng and drying it. This is mostly made into tea, slices or capsules and is known for its warming effect on the body.

• Siberian Ginseng: Also known as eleutherococcus centipoises, it is not a true ginseng but belongs to the same family as the other ginseng types. It has its origin in Russia and Japan. Its root is devoid of ginsenosides found in other ginseng types. Instead they contain eleutheroside, which is considered an imitation ginseng.

Skin Benefits of Ginseng:
Apart from its various health benefits, this herb has positive effects on your health as well. Today, ginseng or ginseng extract is widely used in beauty and health products. Some of the ways in which it can benefit your skin are as follows.

1. Anti-ageing Benefits:Ginseng has been promoted as an anti-ageing treatment. It contains a large amount of phytonutrients, which can stimulate and activate the skin’s metabolism. It rids your skin of the free radicals that gets accumulated when your skin is regularly exposed to sunlight and environmental pollution. It also contains certain ingredients that can increase the production of collagen in the middle layer of the skin known as dermis, making your skin firmer. This collagen makes your skin more elastic and toned, thereby diminishing wrinkles or fine lines on the face and other body parts.

2. Improves Complexion:Ginseng roots and leaves are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which are good for overall skin health. They metabolise skin cells and facilitate the elimination of dead skin cells to produce healthy new skin. Ginseng tea is particularly great for refining and rehydrating your skin. It regenerates skin cells by increasing oxygenation. It also improves blood circulation and is a great blood detoxifier. All these factors contribute to a healthier and brighter complexion. Topical use of ginseng leaves can keep your skin healthy and glowing.

3. Great Toner:
Ginseng is also a great toner and facial freshener. Not only does it improve collagen formation but also helps reduce black spots on the face. You can prepare your own ginseng mask by mixing ginseng oil with other ingredients, like sunflower oil, honey or water. This should be applied twice a week for best results.

4. Treatment of Skin Diseases:Incomplete skin metabolism contributes to skin problems like acne, eczema and rough skin. Ginseng is effective in this regard as it gets absorbed by the skin very quickly and improves subcutaneous vascular circulation. Regular intake of ginseng can help you get rid of these problems, making your skin bright and cheerful.

5. Treatment of Dark Circles:Another noteworthy benefit of ginseng is that it helps in reducing puffiness of the eyes and lightens under-eye dark circles. You can try using a ginseng mask for this purpose and get freedom from those dark circles.