The Power Of Ginseng For Altitude Sickness - Zaca

The Power Of Ginseng For Altitude Sickness

Ginseng For Altitude Sickness

Ginseng has emerged as a natural remedy that may help avoid the dread of altitude sickness on your outdoor adventures or travel plans. With a decade of elevation experience, we’ll explore everything you need to know about ginseng for altitude sickness.

Ginseng For Altitude Sickness: Nature’s Remedy

Ginseng, a prized herb in traditional Chinese medicine, has become worldwide renowned for its many health benefits. Recent studies have highlighted ginseng's potential in combating altitude sickness which we’ll further explore.

Does Ginseng Help With Altitude Sickness?

Yes, there’s some research showing that ginseng may help with altitude sickness.

With benefits such as helping blood circulation, below we’ll dive into the science behind ginseng helping with altitude sickness.

What Causes Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a condition that can occur due to the decrease in oxygen levels at higher elevations.

The symptoms of altitude sickness can include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid heartbeat

These symptoms can occur usually within 6-24 hours upon arrival in a high-altitude destination. Read further below how ginseng and other herbs can help you.

The Science Of Ginseng For Altitude Sickness

Research shows evidence that ginseng for altitude sickness can work. This adaptogenic herb is known for its ability to enhance the body's resistance to stress, and may aid the adverse reactions to low oxygen.

One study particularly on Chinese medicinal plants published in 2020 found ginseng is good for high-altitudes.¹

Ginseng high-altitude benefits:[¹][²]

  • Aid blood circulation 
  • Red blood cell production was promoted
  • Decrease blood pressure
  • Reduces pulmonary vasoconstriction
  • Increase nitric oxide synthesis and levels

These ginseng benefits are found to be correlated with altitude sickness, and therefore may provide alleviation. The verdict will be up to you on the efficacy of ginseng if you give it a try on your next high-altitude trip.

Why Does Ginseng Make Me Feel Good?

Ginseng can make you feel good due to its bioactive compounds which exert powerful antioxidant effects on the body.⁴

Known as ginsenosides, these are likely keys to the power behind this strong herb. From improved cognitive function and increased blood circulation to strengthening the immune system and reducing fatigue.⁴

4 Herbs For High-Altitudes

Ginseng is not alone, there’s a few key herbs found to help your body adapt to high-altitude stress and combat mountain sickness. As a high-altitude based company, we would highly consider using these for your next high altitude trip.

4 Herbs For High-Altitudes:

1. Glutathione

Glutathione is considered the mother of antioxidants, and shown in research to be beneficial in high-altitudes.⁸

One study showed glutathione to deplete by 45% in the body in high elevation conditions, therefore supplementing it can be key to replenishing it.⁷

Glutathione for high-altitudes:[⁷][⁸]

  • Combat high-altitude oxidative stress
  • Replenish antioxidants that are lost
Replenish and protect your body in high altitudes with glutathione.

2. Ginseng

As outlined in this article, this Chinese herb has adaptogenic properties that are helpful in high altitudes.

Ginseng has been shown to help blood circulation and red blood cell production, which can be affected from low oxygen levels.[¹][²]

Ginseng for high-altitudes:[¹][²]

  • Increase red blood cell production
  • Promote blood circulation
Ginseng is another key herb for high altitude trips.

3. Ginkgo Biloba

The leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree is native to Eastern Asia and used medicinally for centuries with evidence of high-altitude usage.

One study done at Mauna Kea Mountain in Hawaii found Ginkgo biloba to lessen altitude sickness.¹¹

Ginkgo Biloba for high-altitudes:[⁹][¹⁰][¹¹][¹²]

  • Promote oxygen saturation
  • Decrease high-altitude issues
Ginkgo biloba can be a good addition to your high-altitude regimes.

4. DHM 

A flavonoid compound found in the Japanese raisin tree, DHM has been shown to contain potent antioxidant properties and high-altitude benefits.

One study found DHM to improve high-altitude performance due to protecting mitochondrial functions.

DHM for high-altitudes:[¹³]

  • Improve high-elevation performance
  • Lower fatigue via boosting cellular antioxidant capacity.
DHM is another vital herb to bring along for your high-altitude journeys.

Each of these herbs offers unique functional benefits for your high-altitude journey — including glutathione, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and dhm.


Top Herb-Infused Supplement For Altitude Journeys

Altitude Sickness Herbs
With Zaca’s chewables, say goodbye to travel discomforts and welcome a journey filled with vitality. Zaca helps you rehydrate, replenish, and recover faster. Packed with potent herbs, each chewable tablet is a powerhouse of natural ingredients including glutathione and DHM, specifically selected to support your body's resilience. Simply eat 2-4 chewables per day, or as you need.
Try Zaca’s chewable supplement today and invigorate your body for your mountain journeys.









 
















SOURCES:

1. Chinese medicinal plants (Ginseng) for the potential management of high-altitude pulmonary oedema and pulmonary hypertension
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8641673/
2. Chinese Herbal Medicine for Acute Mountain Sickness: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3881533/
3. Physiology, Pulmonary Vasoconstriction - Hypoxia or Low Oxygen
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499962/
4. Proven Health Benefits of Ginseng
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ginseng-benefits
5. Reduction of Mountain Sickness With Chinese Herbs (Ginseng)
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/mntnsick.htm
6. Nutritional and Herbal Supplements to Prevent Altitude Sickness
https://www.naturalgrocers.com/article/altitude-sickness
7. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
8. High Altitude and Free Radicals
https://www.jssm.org/hf.php?id=jssm-03-64.xml
9. Ginkgo biloba reduces incidence and severity of acute mountain sickness.
http://www.everestnews.com/stories024/peterh.htm
10. Ginkgo biloba decreases acute mountain sickness in people ascending to high altitude at Ollagüe (3696 m) in northern Chile
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18076292/
11. Ginkgo biloba for the prevention of severe acute mountain sickness (AMS) starting one day before rapid ascent
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12006162/
12. Supplements And Natural Remedies For High Altitude Hiking - Ginkgo Biloba
https://www.summitstrength.com.au/blog/preventing-altitude-sickness-supplements
13. Dihydromyricetin Improves Physical Performance under Simulated High Altitude
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2014/11000/Dihydromyricetin_Improves_Physical_Performance.6.aspx