Ginseng

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Brain aging²

  In people going through normal aging, ginseng may improve brain function, but more research is needed.

• Open question

  Cholesterol levels³

  In people, ginseng did not change cholesterol, but higher doses and longer use lowered it in some studies.

• Open question

  Tiredness and exercise stamina⁴

  Ginseng supplements may ease tiredness, but studies so far are too few to be sure.

• Concern

  Side effects from overuse⁵

  Some people who took too much ginseng reported problems like high blood pressure, liver issues and bleeding.

• Benefit

  Bone strength after menopause⁶

  In postmenopausal women with osteopenia, 3 g of ginseng extract daily for 12 weeks improved bone-building markers and knee arthritis symptoms.

Animal and lab studies only

• Benefit

  Lung health support⁸

  In lab and animal studies, ginseng and its compounds may support lung health, but how sure this is for people is unclear.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Gut bacteria and immunity⁷

  A review reports ginseng polysaccharides may affect immunity and gut bacteria, but how they work in the body is unclear.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.