People have traditionally taken ginseng to help with a range of medical conditions.
Increased energy
Ginseng may help stimulate physical and mental activity in people who feel weak and tired. One studyTrusted Source of 21 men and 69 women found that ginseng showed good results in helping people with chronic fatigue.
A 2014 studyTrusted Source of people receiving cancer treatment found that ginseng helped reduce cancer-related fatigue.
Sharper cognitive function
Ginseng may improve thinking processes and cognition. A 2018 reportTrusted Source examined the accuracy of this claim.
This report concluded that, based on human and aminal studies, ginseng components have the potential to treat some cognitive deficits. These studies showed ginseng could reduce oxidative stress, which could lead to enhancement in cognitive function.
A 2016 study on the effects of Korean red ginseng on cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease found promise as well.
The study involved 14 people, three men, and 11 women, with a median age of 74.93 years old. The patients received 4.5 grams of Korean red ginseng for 12 weeks.
The study concluded that the Korean red ginseng helped improve frontal brain lobe function.
Anti-inflammatory effects
Ginseng may reduce inflammation. According to a 2020 studyTrusted Source, ginsenosides, the active components of ginseng, may target pathways in the immune system that could reduce inflammation.
Treatment of erectile dysfunction
Men may take ginseng to treat erectile dysfunction.
Flu prevention
Research on the effects of ginseng on mice suggests a possible linkTrusted Source between ginseng and the treatment and prevention of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Findings of another study suggestedTrusted Source that red ginseng extract could improve the survival of human lung epithelial cells infected with the influenza virus.
It is undetermined exactly how the anti-viral mechanisms in ginseng work based on the above study.
Lowering blood sugar
A 2014 studyTrusted Source suggests that ginseng may help lower blood sugar and help treat diabetes. Ginsenosides may affect insulin production in the pancreas and improve insulin resistance using other mechanisms.
Another 2014 studyTrusted Source showed similar benefits of ginseng on lowering blood sugar. Some participants took 2.7 grams of fermented red ginseng each day, while others took a placebo. Researchers found that ginseng was effective in lowering blood sugar and increasing insulin levels after a meal compared to the placebo.
