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