The root of the Red Ginseng plant is the part that is used for its medicinal properties; it has been highly valued for its use in traditional Chinese medicine.

Other names synonymous with Red Ginseng include Panax Ginseng, mountain ginseng, wild Ginseng, true Ginseng, and Korean Ginseng.

Its medicinal benefits range from boosting the immune system and improving heart health and bringing down stress to treating erectile dysfunction in men and increasing women’s sexual function. Some research even suggests that Red Ginseng may help treat cancer and even slow or prevent cancer altogether. The component that has been shown to stop cancer tumour growth, Saponin, may also improve memory issues associated with dementia. 

Red Ginseng has beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants boost immune systems. Red Ginseng reduces inflammatory markers and helps protect against oxidative stress. For example, one test-tube study found that Red Ginseng extract reduced inflammation and improved antioxidant activity in skin cells from people with eczema.[1]

Red Ginseng could help improve brain functions like memory, behaviour, and mood. One study followed 30 healthy people who consumed 200 mg of Ginseng daily for four weeks. At the end of the study, they showed improvement in mental health, social functioning, and mood. Ginseng benefits cognitive functions, calmness, and mood in healthy people and those with Alzheimer’s disease.[2]

Ginseng may improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction by decreasing oxidative stress in tissues and enhancing blood flow in penile muscles.[3]

Ginsenosides in Ginseng seem to regulate inflammation, provide antioxidant protection and maintain the health of cells, which could help decrease the risk of certain kinds of cancer.[4]

Interactions – Caffeine and some medications 

Avoid combining Ginseng and caffeine. Ginseng can intensify the effects of caffeine.

It’s a moderate risk that Red Ginseng could interfere with some medications, including blood pressure medicine, blood thinner medicine, monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), immune system suppressant medication, insulin for diabetes.

[1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21494373/ 

[2]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11895046/

[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3739647/

[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26850342/

Ginkgo is an herb derived from the oldest species of tree in the world – the Ginkgo Biloba, or Maidenhair Tree. 

Though used since ancient times, modern medicine has found many uses for Ginkgo. The biggest reason Ginkgo is so healthy is because it contains powerful antioxidants, which fight free radicals and protect the skin.[1] Ginkgo is also a champion at fighting inflammation, making it useful for a variety of health needs.[2]

Gingko is applied to treat illnesses concerning poor blood circulation because it dilates the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow. This increase in blood flow can also help support vision and eye health and even treat headaches and migraines.[3]

Some research shows that it can enhance brain function, boosting memory, sharpening focus, and heightening attention span. In some cases, Ginkgo may help with memory conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.[4]

Some sources indicate that Ginkgo can treat sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction or low libido. Ginkgo’s ability to improve blood levels of nitric oxide, which improves circulation, dilates the blood vessels. One study evaluated the use of Ginkgo to increase sexual desire in women, and it was determined to be beneficial.[5]

Interactions – SSRI medication and other medications[6]

There may be an interaction between ginkgo and SSRI medications, rendering them less effective.

Some interactions with Ginkgo could increase the risk of bleeding. These include blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin), SSRIs/MAOIs/antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft), and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Tylenol).

[1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11507743/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2527648/

[3]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18446847/

[4]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26268332/

[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18446847/ 

[6]https://thetattyjournal.org/2021/01/28/12-benefits-of-ginkgo-biloba-plus-side-effects-dosage/

Rhodiola is an herb that grows in Europe and Asia’s cold, mountainous regions. 

Its roots are considered adaptogens, which help the body adapt to and resist physical, chemical, and environmental stress. Its root contains more than 140 active ingredients, the two most potent: rosavin and salidroside.[1]

Rhodiola has been used to treat anxiety, stress, and depression in individuals for centuries. Modern medicine has adopted Rhodiola to help fight fatigue, heighten brain function, and improve exercise performance.

Rhodiola is also utilized to help treat cancer, tuberculosis, and diabetes, prevent cold and flu, aging, and liver damage, improve hearing, strengthen the nervous system, and enhance immunity.[2]

Interactions – Rhodiola may decrease the effectiveness of some medications, including lovastatin(Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox) fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and others.

Taking Rhodiola along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. These include: Some drugs used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide(Diabeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.

Using Rhodiola with drugs that lower blood pressure can increase the effects of these drugs and may lower blood pressure too much. These medications include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

May decreased effectiveness of medication that move pumps in cells, including some chemotherapeutic agents (etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), protease inhibitors (amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), H2 antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine), some calcium channel blockers(diltiazem, verapamil), corticosteroids, erythromycin, cisapride (Propulsid), fexofenadine (Allegra), cyclosporine, loperamide (Imodium), quinidine, and others.

May decrease effectiveness of medication that decreases the immune system, including azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others. [3] 

[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3991026/

[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6208354/

[3]https://www.rxlist.com/rhodiola/supplements.html

Suma root has a long history of use. To this day, the herbal remedy is utilized for a variety of purposes, including boosting energy levels and reducing stress, pain, inflammation, and anxiety [1][2].

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4327996/

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23384553/

Yerba mate contains several beneficial plant nutrients, including [1]:

• Xanthines: These compounds act as stimulants. They include caffeine and theobromine, which are also found in tea, coffee, and chocolate.
• Caffeoyl derivatives: These compounds are the main health-promoting antioxidants in the tea.
• Saponins: These bitter compounds have certain anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties.
• Polyphenols: This is a large group of antioxidants, linked to a reduced risk of many diseases.

Yerba mate contains less caffeine than coffee but more than tea. Caffeine can  affect the levels of certain signalling molecules in your brain, making it particularly beneficial for your mental focus [2].

Several human studies observed improved alertness, short-term recall and reaction time in participants who consumed a single dose containing 37.5–450 mg of caffeine [3].

Additionally, those who regularly consume yerba mate often report that it enhances alertness like coffee — but without the jittery side effects.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18034743

[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1356551

[3]http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2007.00665.x/full