Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng Together: Does it Work?
Ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba are both nootropics that are used to help improve memory, mood, and mental energy.
Ginseng (specifically the Red “Panax” Ginseng that we’ll be focusing on today) is a type of plant that is native to China. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Ginseng is also known as an adaptogen because it helps the body cope with stress. One of the ways it does this is by increasing levels of a hormone called cortisol which helps regulate blood sugar levels and keep us alert during periods of low blood sugar or exhaustion.
Ginkgo Biloba comes from the leaves of a tree that grows in China and Japan, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries as well. Ginkgo Biloba can be seen as an antioxidant because it protects cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can also be found in foods like red wine.
Looking at them both, one can surely wonder; is it good to combine Ginkgo and Ginseng together? As it stands, their individual benefits on the human brain look impressive, but do the benefits get even better when you combine them?
The answer is that yes, it is more than likely that the nootropic effects of both will get more substantial than taking either one of them alone.
The active ingredients in Ginkgo Biloba are flavonoids. These act as antioxidants which may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. The active ingredient in Ginseng is called ginsenosides. These act as stimulants to increase blood flow, promote mental clarity and alertness, and help regulate neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. It is the combination of these chemicals that leads to an improvement in mood, cognitive function, and overall mental performance in the majority of users.
Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng Tea
Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng are most commonly taken together as supplements (either as separate, standalone supplements, or together in a single supplement), but some prefer to drink them as tea. There is no particular advantage to ingesting them this way. If anything, the supplement versions of both are more convenient for most people.
What do Other Neurohackers Say?
If you look it up online you’ll see that there are quite a few Reddit discussions on combining Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng together. Specifically, some Reddit users have shared that the combination is highly effective for their cognition, and some even linked to scientific evidence that looked into this very topic.
Any Side Effects from Combining Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng Together?
Generally speaking, both are safe. In studies, most of the time, they aren’t known to cause any major side effects. That said, you never know what the potential side effects could be for your due to your unique bodily chemistry. If you are sensitive to supplements in general, or if you have a condition (or are taking medications such as blood thinners), it is important to talk to your doctor before taking Ginkgo or Ginseng, especially if you plan on combining them together.
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