Ginseng, Asian (Panax ginseng) Research

Latin Name: Panax ginseng

Family: Araliaceae

People use ginseng as an immune system strengthener, to improve cognitive function, and as an overall health tonic.  It may also have aphrodisiac like qualities.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

General

• A review of the uses of Panax ginseng is provided. Systematic reviews have shown it reduces a cold and helps with erectile disfunction. Nonsystematic reviews suggest it may help reduce cancer, cancer fatigue, and viral myocarditis. From: Ernst, E. (2010). Panax ginseng: an overview of the clinical evidence. Journal of Ginseng Research, 34(4), 259-263.

Cognitive Function

• A placebo-controlled, double blind study with 20 young health adults showed ginkgo and ginseng to improve cognitive performance.  From:  Kennedy, D. O., Scholey, A. B., & Wesnes, K. A. (2001). Differential, dose dependent changes in cognitive performance following acute administration of a Ginkgo biloba/Panax ginseng combination to healthy young volunteers. Nutritional neuroscience, 4(5), 399-412.
• A review of studies using ginseng to reduce fatigue or increase performance was provided.  From:  Lee, N. H., Jung, H. C., & Lee, S. (2016). Red Ginseng as an Ergogenic Aid: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. JENB (Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry), 20(4), 13-19.

Stimulant

• A review of studies using ginseng to reduce fatigue or increase performance was provided.  From:  Lee, N. H., Jung, H. C., & Lee, S. (2016). Red Ginseng as an Ergogenic Aid: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. JENB (Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry), 20(4), 13-19.
• In a 4 week study with 174 patents, a Panax ginseng supplement reduced fatigue. More research is warranted. From: Zhang, L., Chen, X., Cheng, Y., Chen, Q., Tan, H., Son, D., … & Xu, H. (2019). Safety and antifatigue effect of Korean Red Ginseng: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Ginseng Research.

Anti- Cancer

• A matched case-controlled study of 905 pairs showed a reduced likelihood of cancer with those who ingested ginseng regularly.  From:  Yun, T. K., & Choi, S. Y. (1990). A case-control study of ginseng intake and cancer. International journal of epidemiology, 19(4), 871-876.
• In a large matched case-controlled study, intake of ginseng was associated with reduced incidences of cancer.  From:  Yun, T. K., & Choi, S. Y. (1995). Preventive effect of ginseng intake against various human cancers: a case-control study on 1987 pairs. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers, 4(4), 401-408.
• In a cohort study of almost 1500 breast cancer survivors, those who consumed ginseng before diagnosis had an increased survival rate.  From:  Cui, Y., Shu, X. O., Gao, Y. T., Cai, H., Tao, M. H., & Zheng, W. (2006). Association of ginseng use with survival and quality of life among breast cancer patients. American journal of epidemiology, 163(7), 645-653.
• Ginseng taken for 12 weeks increased quality of life (mood and energy) in cancer patients.  From:  Kim, J. H., Park, C. Y., & Lee, S. J. (2006). Effects of Sun Ginseng on subjective quality of life in cancer patients: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot trial. Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics, 31(4), 331-334.

Aphrodisiac

• Aphrodisiac activities of ginseng are reviewed.  From: Nocerino, E., Amato, M., & Izzo, A. A. (2000). The aphrodisiac and adaptogenic properties of ginseng. Fitoterapia, 71, S1-S5.
• Ginsing and other herbs were reviewed for male sexual dysfunction.  From: Bella, A. J., & Shamloul, R. (2014). Traditional plant aphrodisiacs and male sexual dysfunction. Phytotherapy research, 28(6), 831-835.
• Seven randomoized clinical trials for the use  of Panax ginseng to treat erectile dysfunction were reviewed and showed beneficial results.  From:  Jang, D. J., Lee, M. S., Shin, B. C., Lee, Y. C., & Ernst, E. (2008). Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 66(4), 444-450.

Immunity

• In a review of research, Panax ginseng could be an effective adjuvent or complimentary treatment to boost immunity. From: Kang, S., & Min, H. (2012). Ginseng, the’immunity boost’: the effects of Panax ginseng on immune system. Journal of ginseng research, 36(4), 354.

Common Cold

• In a study with 323 participants with a history of having caught a cold in the past, taking a ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) supplement for 4 months reduced severity and duration of symptoms. From: Predy, G. N., Goel, V., Lovlin, R., Donner, A., Stitt, L., & Basu, T. K. (2005). Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial. Cmaj, 173(9), 1043-1048.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 11/19/2019