Thorne’s newest stress support formula, Ginseng Plus, contains a trio of botanicals formulated to enhance the resilience of both body and mind during times of excessive stress.* It contains Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng), Greek mountain tea, and lion’s mane – a mushroom also found in Daily Greens Plus and Pre-Workout Elite.

Before we learn about the herbal ingredients in the Ginseng Plus formulation, let’s begin with a short glossary of botanical terms. 

  • Active constituents – chemical compounds in plants that have physiological effects on the body 
  • Adaptogen – herbs that help keep proper balance, conserve energy, and support the ability to cope with stress 
  • Aromatic – herbs that have a strong, usually pleasant, odor due to the presence of essential oils
  • Nervine – herbs that support the nervous system and may have calming, stimulating, or tonic effects
  • Nootropic – herbs that support brain health and promote cognitive functions, such as learning, memory, and focus 
  • Nutritive – herbs that nourish tissues, organs, and organ systems
  • Tonic – herbs that support normal function or “tone” of an organ or organ system 

Ginseng Plus is a blend of adaptogenic and nootropic botanicals, traditionally recognized as having tonic and nutritive activity for the brain and body.* Read on for a deeper look at each of the herbs that can be found in Ginseng Plus.

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng)  

With use in traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years, the roots of the Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) plant are well respected as an herbal supplement for supporting vitality and well-being.* In botanical terms, Panax ginseng is a stimulating adaptogen with tonic and nootropic activities.* In conversational terms, Korean ginseng helps your body cope with stress and supports brain functions, such as focus and memory.*

The word “ginseng” is often used to describe several different plants with similar health benefits. Common herbs that might be called “ginseng” include: 

  • Panax ginseng – Asian, Chinese, or Korean ginseng 
  • Panax quinquefolius – American ginseng 
  • Panax pseudoginseng – Himalayan ginseng 
  • Eleutherococcus senticosus – Siberian ginseng

Among the Panax genus of plants, ginsenosides are the main active constituent. For Korean ginseng, rare ginsenosides, which concentrate in the roots as the plant ages, are thought to be the most important compounds in the herb. Traditional cultivation of herbal ginseng is a time and labor-intensive process. The roots are harvested after six years of growth. Roots that are sun-dried are called, “white” ginseng, whereas roots that are steamed, artificially dried, then sun-dried and aged are “red” ginseng. Red ginseng tends to contain a higher concentration of rare ginsenosides.

The Korean red ginseng in Thorne’s Ginseng Plus is cultivated using sustainable growing, harvesting, and preservation techniques through biomimetic indoor farming. This unique cultivation process results in a ginseng extract that is rich in rare ginsenosides with a gentle ecological footprint. 

Along with its thousands of years of traditional use, ginseng is also well-studied. There are more than 5,000 scientific publications related to the Panax ginseng species alone. The specific extract used in Ginseng Plus has also been featured in several clinical trials.

In one double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 50 healthy adults ages 18-65 who reported a high level of occupational stress were randomly given ginseng or placebo once daily for 14 days with a two-week washout period before switching to the alternate treatment. Focus and concentration were measured using the d2 Test of Attention, learning and memory were measured by a computerized memory test, and stress was measured using the perceived stress score. Ginseng users reported elevated focus after the first day of use, less perceived stress after five days, and enhanced memory during stressful tasks after 12 days of continuous use.1

Greek mountain tea (Sideritis scardica)

Greek mountain tea, also known as ironwort, shepherd’s tea, and tea of the gods, is a fragrant flowering plant that thrives at high altitudes and is native to Greece and other areas of the Balkans. With traditional use recorded as early as the first century, this herbal ingredient promotes blood flow to the brain, supporting mental acuity during times of stress.*

Greek mountain tea is caffeine-free and prized for its nervine and adaptogenic activities, helping the body manage stress and relax nervous tension.* In ancient times, Greek mountain tea earned its name “ironwort” because it was given to soldiers as a rejuvenating aid to support healing after war.

Greek mountain tea contains several active constituents, including terpenes, iridoids, coumarins, flavonoids, lignans, sterols, and essential oils. It is often used as an aromatic herb in Greek and Balkan cuisines.

While Greek mountain tea has been used for thousands of years, it has only been clinically studied more recently. In one clinical trial, a single use of Greek mountain tea resulted in enhanced blood flow to the brain during stressful tasks.2

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion’s mane is an edible mushroom species with both culinary and traditional medicinal use in Asian cultures for centuries. The name “lion’s mane” comes from the overall look of the mushroom and its bushy, mane-like appearance. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, lion’s mane is a tonic, nutritive, and adaptogen herb that supports healthy “qi” – the vital life force.

In Japan, lion’s mane is known as Yamabushitake, named after the Yamabushi monks who wore fur around their necks to resemble the mushroom. Lion’s mane has historically been used to support focus during meditation as part of Buddhism practices.

Similar to other mushroom species, lion’s mane contains beta-glucans along with the additional active constituents hericenones and erinacine terpenoids, compounds that are thought to nourish both the brain and the body.*

Interest in lion’s mane has been growing worldwide, and recent studies have focused on lion’s mane to better understand how it might benefit cognitive function and memory.* As with many herbs that have long-standing historical use, it can take time for modern research to catch up to historical significance. In the case of lion’s mane, this means that standardization of the extract is not yet settled, making the comparison among studies challenging. Regardless, currently published studies do indicate positive benefits of lion’s mane, particularly during times of stress.

Who should try Ginseng Plus

You might have noticed it can be difficult to remain focused on challenging tasks during stressful periods. Whether your mind wanders or you feel “foggy,” stress-related lack of mental clarity is a frustration that can then become an additional source of stress. Ginseng Plus was formulated to help you think and perform at your best during times of stress.*

Ginseng Plus supports your body’s ability to resist stress-related fatigue, promotes a positive mood, and enhances blood flow to the brain during stressful tasks.* It supports CEOs and executives, graduate and undergraduate students, perimenopausal or menopausal women, and anyone else who experiences excessive stress and is looking for help reclaiming their physical and mental vitality.*  

References

  1. Mariage PA, Hovhannisyan A, Panossian AG. Efficacy of Panax ginseng Meyer herbal preparation HRG80 in preventing and mitigating stress-induced failure of cognitive functions in healthy subjects: A pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(4):57. doi:10.3390/ph13040057
  2. Wightman EL, Jackson PA, Khan J, et al. The acute and chronic cognitive and cerebral blood flow effects of a Sideritis scardica (Greek mountain tea) extract: A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups study in healthy humans. Nutrients. 2018;10(8):955. doi:10.3390/nu10080955