TL;DR: Ginseng is an ancient root used for centuries to boost focus, stamina, and resilience. In Flow State from Bagus Botanicals, Panax ginseng works with lion’s mane mushroom to give you clean, steady energy without the crash. Each type of ginseng has its own personality and benefits, from hormone balance to circulation support. We’ll walk through the differences, how to choose a good one, and why it’s safe for most people, including those with gout.


What is Ginseng

Ginseng comes from plants in the Panax family. The root holds a mix of compounds called ginsenosides that support the body’s natural ability to handle stress, find balance, and stay sharp. True ginseng includes Panax ginseng from Asia, Panax quinquefolius from North America, Panax notoginseng, Panax japonicus, and Panax vietnamensis.

Other plants sometimes borrow the name “ginseng,” like Siberian ginseng, but they aren’t part of the Panax family and don’t contain ginsenosides.

Ginseng is what herbalists call an adaptogen. That means it helps your body adjust to whatever life throws at it. If you’re drained, it can help lift you up. If you’re on edge, it can help you find calm.

Panax Ginseng Roots

Flow State: A Functional Kratom + Nootropic Blend

Learn More About Flow State

Flow State blends Panax ginseng, lion’s mane mushroom, and kratom powder into one scoopable mix. The result is a smooth lift in focus, mood, and motivation.

This is what we call functional kratom. Instead of plain kratom powder, you get a complete stack designed for a specific goal. Here, that goal is mental clarity and sustained energy.

  • Panax ginseng brings steady energy and stamina without the jitters.
  • Lion’s mane feeds your brain, supporting focus and creativity.
  • Kratom in small amounts offers a gentle boost in mood and alertness.

It’s part of a new wave of functional products that go beyond one plant and look at the whole experience.


Lion’s Mane: The Cognitive Sidekick

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a soft, white mushroom that looks like a waterfall of icicles. Inside, it holds compounds that may help your brain grow new connections. In human studies, lion’s mane has improved memory and mental clarity. Many people also notice less brain fog and more “present” focus.

In Flow State, lion’s mane takes care of the mental clarity while ginseng handles the energy and stamina. Together they feel balanced, grounded, and sustainable.


Meet the Five Main Types of Ginseng

Each type of ginseng grows in its own corner of the world and brings its own mix of ginsenosides.

Panax ginseng (Asian/Korean)

  • Where it grows: Korea, China, Siberia
  • Energy tone: Stimulating
  • Benefits: Focus, stamina, immune support, may help sexual health in men and mood in women
  • Best for: A strong daily pick-me-up

Panax quinquefolius (American)

  • Where it grows: USA, Canada
  • Energy tone: Calming
  • Benefits: Stress relief, immune boost, blood sugar support
  • Best for: Gentle daily energy and stress balance

Panax notoginseng (Tienchi)

  • Where it grows: China’s Yunnan and Guangxi provinces
  • Energy tone: Neutral
  • Benefits: Circulation, recovery from injury, heart health
  • Best for: Cardio wellness and post-workout recovery

Panax japonicus (Japanese)

  • Where it grows: Japan, China, Korea
  • Energy tone: Balanced
  • Benefits: Energy, circulation, anti-inflammatory support
  • Best for: A rare hybrid of vitality and blood health

Panax vietnamensis (Vietnamese/Ngoc Linh)

  • Where it grows: Vietnam, Laos
  • Energy tone: Calming-energizing
  • Benefits: Anti-stress, mood lift, cognitive enhancement
  • Best for: Exclusive adaptogen use when you want both calm and energy

SpeciesOriginKey BenefitsEnergy Tone
P. ginsengKorea/ChinaStamina, focus, libidoStimulating
P. quinquefoliusUSA/CanadaStress relief, immunityCalming
P. notoginsengChinaCirculation, recoveryNeutral
P. japonicusJapan/ChinaEnergy + circulationBalanced
P. vietnamensisVietnamAnti-stress, mood boostCalming-energizing

Ginseng and Hormones

  • For men: May improve sexual performance and support hormone balance by improving blood flow.
  • For women: Can help ease mood changes and boost libido during menopause.
  • The effects depend on the species and dose, so not all ginseng works the same way.

Choosing a Good Ginseng

  • Read the Latin name so you know which species you’re getting.
  • Look for standardization to 5–10% ginsenosides.
  • Check sourcing and choose brands that test for purity.
  • Pick your form — capsules or standardized powder are most consistent.
  • Red or white: Red ginseng is steamed and stronger. White is unsteamed and gentler.

Safety and Taking with Gout

Most people can take ginseng safely at 200–400 mg per day of a standardized extract. Possible mild effects include headache, upset stomach, or trouble sleeping if taken late. Avoid if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking certain medications like blood thinners or diabetes drugs without talking to a doctor.

For those with gout, ginseng is low in purines and some studies suggest it may lower uric acid and inflammation. That means it’s generally safe and possibly helpful.


FAQ

Can I take ginseng daily?
Yes. Many people use it daily. You can take breaks if you want, but it’s not required.

What’s the difference between Asian and American ginseng?
Asian is more energizing. American is gentler and better for calming stress.

Can I mix ginseng with lion’s mane?
Yes. They work well together for focus and balanced energy, as in Flow State.

Does ginseng raise blood pressure?
It can go either way depending on the person. If you have hypertension, monitor your numbers.


The Bottom Line

Ginseng has been used for centuries to keep the mind sharp and the body strong. In Flow State, it teams up with lion’s mane and kratom to give you a smooth, steady lift you can feel good about. Whether you choose Asian for stamina, American for stress relief, or another variety for its unique benefits, quality matters most.

Sources

  1. Kennedy, D. O., et al. (2001). Dose dependent changes in cognitive performance and mood following acute administration of Ginseng to healthy young volunteers. Psychopharmacology, 153(4), 529–533.
  2. Kennedy, D. O., et al. (2002). Modulation of cognition and mood following administration of single doses of Ginseng and Ginkgo biloba. Appetite, 39(3), 219–224.
  3. Cui, X., et al. (2013). Korean red ginseng improves sexual function in premenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(6), 1430–1437.
  4. Cui, X., et al. (2012). Effect of Panax ginseng on quality of life: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Ginseng Research, 36(3), 263–270.
  5. Ellis, J. M., & Reddy, P. (2002). Effects of Panax ginseng on quality of life. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 36(3), 375–379.
  6. Sievenpiper, J. L., et al. (2004). American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) reduces postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and in type 2 diabetic patients. Archives of Internal Medicine, 164(9), 1005–1009.
  7. Attele, A. S., Wu, J. A., & Yuan, C. S. (1999). Ginseng pharmacology: multiple constituents and multiple actions. Biochemical Pharmacology, 58(11), 1685–1693.
  8. Li, T., et al. (2016). Ginseng and gout: a potential preventive effect via uric acid modulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(8), 1344.