INTRUDUCTION

 

Traditionally, red ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng, has been taken as an aphrodisiac, as a stimulant and to increase longevity. Used in China as a treatment for diabetes and male sexual dysfunction, ginseng root has been a highly prized herb for thousands of years. Although a widely used and highly regarded medicinal agent when used appropriately, there are concerns about the wide range of side effects and drug interactions from the long-term use of the ginseng plant for more than three months. It is generally well tolerated, but caution should be taken when consuming any herbal medicine.

 

USES

 

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

 

Lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth seems to improve lung function and some symptoms of COPD.

 

Mental 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 erectile dysfunction.

 

High blood pressure. Early evidence shows that taking Panax ginseng might slightly decrease blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.

 

Premature ejaculation. Applying a cream containing Panax ginseng, angelica root, Cistanches deserticola, Zanthoxyl species, torlidis seed, clover flower, asiasari root, cinnamon bark, and toad venom (SS Cream) to the penis one hour before intercourse and washing off immediately before intercourse seems to help prevent premature ejaculation

 

Sexual arousal. 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) seems to improve sexual desire in women.

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

 

Bad breath. Early evidence suggests that taking Korean red ginseng, a type of Panax ginseng, daily for 10 weeks helps reduce bad breath, particularly in people with bad breath caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

 

Breast cancer. Some studies conducted in China suggest 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. However, this might not be a result of taking the ginseng, because the people in the study were also more likely to be treated with the prescription cancer drug tamoxifen. It is difficult to know how much of the benefit to attribute to ginseng.

 

Infection of the airways in the lung (bronchitis). Taking Panax ginseng, combined with antibiotics, might be more effective in killing bacteria 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. Also, early research suggests that taking Panax ginseng (Cultivated Wild Ginseng Pharmacopuncture) intravenously (by IV) might stop or slow the progression of lung 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. Administering ginseng intravenously (by IV) seems to improve symptoms of heart failure.

 

Diabetes. There is inconsistent evidence about the effects of Panax ginseng on diabetes. Some research shows that taking Panax ginseng by mouth daily can improve blood sugar levels. However, other research suggests that taking Panax ginseng (AIPOP, Gangdown-Do, Korea) or Korean red ginseng extract (Spectrum Laboratories, Gardena, CA) by mouth does not improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

 

Fatigue. Early evidence shows that taking a specific product containing Panax ginseng, vitamins, and minerals (Pharmaton) might reduce symptoms of fatigue.

 

HIV. Early evidence shows that Korean red ginseng, a particular form of Panax ginseng, might increase immune function but does not affect how much of the HIV virus is circulating in the blood of people with HIV

 

Prediabetes. Taking a combination of Korean red ginseng and cheonggukjang, a type of fermented soybean paste, can reduce blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes.

 

Influenza. There is some evidence that taking a specific Panax ginseng extract (G115) by mouth beginning 4 weeks before a flu shot and continuing for 8 weeks after can decrease the risk of getting the flu.

 

Memory. Taking a specific Panax ginseng extract (G115) together with vitamins, minerals and dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate might improve memory in older people with memory problems.

 

Postmenopausal conditions. Some early research suggests that Panax ginseng might improve quality of life and menopausal symptoms, such as fatigue, insomnia, and depression in postmenopausal women. However, Panax ginseng does not appear to reduce hot flashes.

 

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

 

Wrinkled skin. Early research shows that taking a combination of Korean red ginseng root with Torilus fructus and Corni fructus daily for 24 weeks might reduce wrinkles, but does not appear to affect skin moisture, elasticity, thickness, or color.

 

Depression.

 

Anemia.

 

Fluid retention.

 

Stomach inflammation and other digestive problems.

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) .

 

Fibromyalgia.

 

Fever.

 

Other conditions.