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PANAX GINSENG

OTHER NAME(S): Asian Ginseng, Asiatic Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Chinese Red Ginseng, Ginseng, Ginseng Asiatique, Ginseng Blanc... 

Possibly Effective for:
Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth might improve abstract thinking, mental arithmetic skills, and reaction times in healthy, middle-aged people but not in young adults. Panax ginseng alone does not seem to improve memory. But there is some evidence that a combination of Panax ginseng and ginkgo leaf extract can improve memory in otherwise healthy people between the ages of 38 and 66.
Erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth seems to improve sexual function in men with ED.

Flu (influenza). Taking a specific Panax ginseng by mouth appears to reduce the risk of getting a cold or the flu. But, taking Panax ginseng does not seem to reduce flu symptoms or the length of the illness.
Fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Taking Panax ginseng daily for 3 months reduces feelings of tiredness and improves quality of life in females with MS.
Increasing response to sexual stimuli in healthy people. Taking powdered Korean red ginseng, a specific form of Panax ginseng, seems to improve sexual arousal and satisfaction in postmenopausal women. Also, using a specific product containing Korean red ginseng and other ingredients (ArginMax for Women, Daily Wellness Company) seems to improve sexual desire in women who report

 

Sexual Problems.
Athletic performance. Taking Panax ginseng by mouth for up to 8 weeks does not improve exercise performance.
Insufficient Evidence for

Hay fever. Early research shows that taking Panax ginseng improves some symptoms of hay fever such as itching and runny nose.

Alzheimer disease. Some research shows that taking Panax ginseng root daily for 12 weeks can improve mental performance in people with Alzheimer disease.

Breast cancer. Research conducted in China suggests that some people with breast cancer treated with any form of ginseng (American or Panax) have a higher quality of life and lower risk of death. But this might not be due to ginseng. The people in the study were also likely to be treated with the prescription anticancer drug tamoxifen. It is difficult to know how much of the benefit is from ginseng or tamoxifen.

Swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis). Taking a specific Panax ginseng extract (G115) by mouth, combined with antibiotics, might be more effective in killing bacteria in the lungs of people with long-term bronchitis than antibiotic treatment alone.

Cancer. Research suggests that taking ginseng by mouth might decrease the occurrence of some types of cancer, including stomach cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, ovarian cancer, and skin cancer. However, other research shows that Panax ginseng doesn't reduce the risk of getting cancer. But several studies show that Panax ginseng might slow cancer growth and improve quality of life in cancer patients.

Tiredness in people with cancer. Early research shows that Panax ginseng can reduce fatigue in some people with cancer.

Common cold. There is some evidence that taking a specific Panax ginseng extract (G115) by mouth can decrease the chance                     of catching a cold.

Heart failure and fluid build up in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth daily, without or without conventional medications, seems to improve heart function.
A lung disease that makes it harder to breathe (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth with many other ingredients seems to improve lung function and some symptoms of COPD. But other research suggests that Panax ginseng does not help to prevent COPD exacerbations.

Diabetes. Some research shows that taking Panax ginseng by mouth daily can improve blood sugar levels. But not all research agrees.
Nerve pain in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy). Early research suggests that taking Panax ginseng might reduce nerve sensitivity in people with this condition.

Fatigue. Early research shows that Panax ginseng can reduce fatigue in some people with chronic fatigue. But not all research agrees.

Fibromyalgia. Research suggests that taking Panax ginseng root extract by mouth daily for 12 weeks does not improve pain, tiredness, sleep quality, anxiety, tender points, or quality of life in people with fibromyalgia.

Gallbladder disease. Research suggests that taking Panax ginseng together with medication for 24 weeks does not reduce gallstones.

Bad breath. Early research suggests that taking Korean red ginseng, a type of Panax ginseng, daily for 10 weeks might help to improve bad breath.

Hangover. Research suggests that drinking a beverage containing Panax ginseng extract within 5 minutes of drinking alcohol and eating a piece of cheese might lower blood alcohol levels and reduce hangover symptoms.

Hearing loss. Early research suggests that taking Panax ginseng for 14 days reduces temporary hearing loss caused by loud noise. But it might be less effective than N-acetyl cysteine at preventing temporary hearing loss caused by loud noise.

HIV. Early evidence shows that Korean red ginseng, a type of Panax ginseng, might increase immune function. But it doesn't seem to lower the amount of the HIV virus found in the blood of people with HIV.

High blood pressure. Some early research shows that taking Panax ginseng in three divided doses daily for 8 weeks slightly reduces blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. But taking a specific Panax ginseng product (Ginseol K-g1) daily for 8 weeks does not reduce blood pressure in people with mildly high blood pressure.

Prediabetes. Early research shows that taking fermented Panax ginseng can reduce post-meal blood sugar levels and increase post-meal insulin levels in people with prediabetes.

Symptoms of menopause. Panax ginseng seems to improve some, but not all, symptoms of menopause. Some early research suggests

 

hat Panax ginseng might improve quality of life and fatigue, insomnia, and depression. Panax ginseng also seems to reduce

 

cholesterol levels. But most research shows that Panax ginseng doesn't reduce hot flashes. Also, it does not seem improve memory or concentration.

Quality of life. While some research suggests that Panax ginseng might improve quality of life, other research shows no benefit.

Stress. Early research in adults who are stressed at work suggests that taking a specific type of Panax ginseng reduces stress and

 

improves attention and memory., Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Aging. Anxiety, Anemia, Bleeding disorders, 
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Convulsions. Decline in memory and thinking skills in older people that is more than what is normal.

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