The term ginseng refers to several species of the genus Panax . For more than two thousand years, the roots of this slow-growing plant have been valued in Chinese medicine. The two most commonly used species are Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), which is mostly extinct in its natural range but is still cultivated, and American ginseng ( P. quinquefolius L.), which is both harvested from the wild and cultivated. Panax ginseng should not be confused with Siberian ginseng ( Eleutherococcus senticosus ). In Russia, Siberian ginseng was promoted as a cheaper alternative to ginseng and was believed to have identical benefits. However, Siberian ginseng does not contain the ginsenosides that are present in the Panax species, which are believed to be active ingredients and have been studied scientifically.

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses based on scientific evidence

Mental performance

Several studies report that ginseng can modestly improve thinking or learning at daily doses between 200 and 400 milligrams of standardized extract G115®, taken by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. Mental performance has been assessed using standardized measurements of reaction time, concentration, learning, math, and logic. Benefits have been seen both in healthy young people and in older ill patients. Effects have also been reported for the combination use of ginseng with Ginkgo biloba .Although this evidence is promising, most studies have been small and not well designed or reported. There is also a small amount of negative evidence, reporting that ginseng actually may not significantly affect thinking processes. It is not clear if people with certain conditions may benefit more than others. Therefore, although the sum total of available scientific evidence does suggest some effectiveness of short-term use of ginseng in this area, better research is necessary before a strong recommendation can be made.

Type 2 diabetes (adult-onset)

Several human studies report that ginseng may lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, both at fasting states and after eating. Long-term effects are not clear, and it is not known what doses are safe or effective. Preliminary research suggests that ginseng may not carry a significant risk of causing dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Additional studies are needed that measure long-term effects of ginseng in diabetes patients, and which examine interactions with standard prescription drugs for diabetes. People with diabetes should seek the care of a qualified healthcare practitioner, and should not use ginseng instead of more proven therapies. Effects of ginseng in type 1 diabetes ("insulin dependent") are not well studied.

Cancer prevention

A small number of studies report that ginseng taken by mouth may lower the risk of being affected by various cancers, especially if ginseng powder or extract is used. However, most of these studies have been published by the same research group, and have used a type of research design (case-control) that can only be considered preliminary. Results may have been affected by other lifestyle choices in people who use ginseng, such as exercise or dietary habits. Additional trials are necessary before a clear conclusion can be reached.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Ginseng was reported to improve pulmonary function and exercise capacity in patients with COPD in one study. Further research is needed to confirm these results. C Congestive heart failure

Evidence from a small amount of research is unclear in this area.

Coronary artery (heart) disease

Several studies from China report that ginseng in combination with various other herbs may reduce symptoms of coronary artery disease such as anginal chest pain, and may improve abnormalities seen on electrocardiograms (ECG). Most studies have not been well described or reported. Without further evidence of the effects of ginseng specifically, a firm conclusion cannot be reached.

Exercise performance

Ginseng is commonly used by athletes with the intention of improving stamina. However, it remains unclear if ginseng taken by mouth significantly affects exercise performance. Numerous studies have been published in this area, with mixed results. Most research has not been well designed or reported, and cannot be considered reliable. Trials in the 1980s reported benefits, while more recent research found no effects. Better studies are necessary before a clear conclusion can be reached.

Fatigue

A small amount of research using ginseng extract G115® (with or without multivitamins) reports improvements in patients with fatigue of various causes. However, these results are preliminary, and studies have not been high quality. In one study, Siberian ginseng efficacy was not demonstrated. However, the findings of possible efficacy for patients with moderate fatigue suggest that further research may be of value.

Fistula (anal)

Preliminary evidence in infants with peri-anal abscess or fistula-in-ano suggests that a treatment of GTTC (Ginseng and Tang-kuei Ten Combination) may accelerate recovery. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Immune system enhancement

A small number of studies report that ginseng may stimulate activity of immune cells in the body (T-lymphocytes and neutrophils), improve the effectiveness of antibiotics in people with acute bronchitis, and enhance the body's response to influenza vaccines. Most research in this area has been published by the same lead author. Additional studies, which examine the effects of ginseng on specific types of infections, are necessary before a clear conclusion can be reached.

Intracranial pressure (ICP)

Preliminary study of Xuesaitong injection (XSTI, a preparation of Panax Notoginseng) reports that it may help to decrease intracranial pressure and benefit coma patients. Further study is needed to confirm these results.

High blood pressure

Preliminary research suggests that ginseng may lower blood pressure (systolic and diastolic). It is not clear what doses are safe or effective. Well-conducted studies are needed to confirm these early results.

Low white blood cell counts

Poorly described preliminary research reports improved blood counts in patients with aplastic anemia using ginseng in combination with other herbs, and improved white blood cell counts in patients with neutropenia using high doses of ginsenosides. Reliable studies are needed before a conclusion can be reached. Notably, there are reports of blood cell counts dropping after ginseng use.

Menopausal symptoms

Evidence from a small amount of research is unclear in this area. Some studies report improvements in depression and sense of well-being, without changes in hormone levels.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

In patients treated with Hochu-ekki-to, which contains ginseng and several other herbs, urinary MRSA has been reported to decrease after a 10-week treatment period. Further study of ginseng alone is necessary in order to draw firm conclusions.

Multi-infarct dementia

A small study conducted in patients with multi-infarct dementia reports that an herbal combination known as Fuyuan mixture, which contains ginseng, may have therapeutic benefits. The effects of ginseng alone are not clear, and no firm conclusion can be drawn.

Quality of life

Preliminary research of Siberian ginseng ( E. senticosus ) administration in the elderly suggests that some aspects of mental health and social functioning (and overall health-related quality of life) may improve after 4 weeks of therapy, although differences appear to attenuate with continued use. Other studies exist in this area but it is difficult to consolidate results of the different subjective measures of quality of life. Additional study is necessary in this area before a firm conclusion can be reached.

Sense of well-being

Several studies have examined the effects of ginseng (with or without multivitamins) on overall well-being in healthy and ill patients, when taken for up to 12 weeks. Most trials are not high quality, and results are mixed. Preliminary research suggests that benefits may occur in people with the worst baseline quality of life. However, it remains inconclusive if ginseng is beneficial in this area for anybody.

Viral myocarditis

Poorly described research in patients treated with Shenmai and Shengmai injection (a Ginseng preparation), report that there may be some related cardiac improvement. More in-depth and reliable studies are needed before a clear conclusion can be drawn.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Adrenal tonic, aerobic fitness, aging, aggression, Alzheimer's disease, allergy, anemia, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anxiety, aphrodisiac, aplastic anemia, appetite stimulant, asthma, atherosclerosis, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bleeding disorders, breast cancer, breast enlargement, breathing difficulty, bronchodilation, burns, chemotherapy support, chronic fatigue syndrome, cold limbs, colitis, convulsions, diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), digestive complaints, diuretic (water pill), dizziness, dysentery, estrogen-like activity, female sexual function, fever, gynecology-related disorders, fibromyalgia, hangover, headaches, heart damage, hepatitis/hepatitis B infection, herpes, HIV,H. pyloriinfection in stomach ulcers, human lung adenocarcinoma, improved memory and thinking after menopause, inflammation, influenza, insomnia, ischemic brain injury, kidney disease, learning, liver diseases, liver health, long-term debility, low sperm count, male infertility, malignant tumors, migraine, morphine tolerance, neuralgia (pain due to nerve damage or inflammation), neuroprotective, neurosis, organ prolapse, oxygen absorption, pain relief, palpitations, physical work capacity, premature ejaculation, prostate cancer,Pseudomonasinfection in cystic fibrosis, psycho-asthenia, prostate cancer, Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome in heart disease (Eastern medicine), recovery from radiation, rehabilitation, sedative, senile dementia, sexual arousal, sexual symptoms, spontaneous sweating, stomach cancer, stomach upset, stress, strokes, surgical recovery, upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting, weight loss.

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Tags: Herbal Medicine

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