Many studies are sponsored by ginseng growers,
manufacturers, or importers who have a financial
interest in obtaining positive results.
Despite these drawbacks, there is enough evidence
that ginseng provides health benefits that the National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM), a government organization within the
National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring clinical
trials to determine safety and effectiveness ginseng
as a treatment for several diseases and disorders. Indi-
viduals interested in participating in a clinical trial at
no charge can find a list of open trials athttp://
[http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.](http://www.clinicaltrials.gov>.)
Some health claims for ginseng appear more
promising than others. There is good evidence that
ginseng can cause short-term improvement in mental
performance in both healthy young adults and elderly
ill adults. Not enough information is available to
determine if long-term gains also occur, but the results
have been promising enough that ginseng is being
studied in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and
other dementias. Along with improved mental per-
formance, some studies have shown that ginseng
improves the sense of well being and quality of life.
Results of these studies are mixed, with some finding
improvements and others finding no change. The sit-
uation is complicated by the fact that different studies
define and measure ‘‘well being’’ and ‘‘quality of life’’
in different ways. In general, people with the worst
quality of life report the most improvement.
Many claims are made that ginseng boosts the
immune system, thus helping to prevent disease and
promote a more rapid recovery from illness and injury.
Some studies also claim that ginseng boosts the effect
of antibiotics and improves the body’s response to
influenza vaccines. Some studies of patients with dis-
eases that cause a low white cell count (white cells are a
part of the immune system) show that white cell count
increases with high doses of ginsenosides. Better stud-
ies are needed before the effect of ginseng on the
immune system can be determined.
There is good evidence that ginseng lowers blood
sugar in people with type 2 (non-insulin dependent)
diabetes. The effect of ginseng on blood sugar in peo-
ple with type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes has not
been studied enough to produce any definite findings.
Ginseng has been promoted as a preventative and/
or cure forcancer. According the American Cancer
Society in 2007, ‘‘There is no reliable scientific evi-
dence that ginseng is effective in preventing or treating
cancer in humans.’’ However, controversial evidence
from some studies done in Asia suggests the possibility
that ginseng powder or extract may prevent some
cancers. More and better studies are needed to clarify
these results.
Some studies have reported that ginseng improves
stamina and athletic performance and decreases
fatigue, while other studies find no effect. There are
so many other lifestyle variables in most of these stud-
ies that it is difficult to separate the effect of ginseng
from other factors.
Studies of the effect of ginseng on the circulatory
system are mixed. Some studies find that ginseng low-
ers blood pressure and in combination with other
herbs prevents coronary artery disease and possibly
congestive heart failure. Other studies find no effect,
or that the effect is apparent only at very high, and
possibly unsafe, doses. The effect of ginseng on the
circulatory system continues to be investigated.KEY TERMS
Alternative medicine—A system of healing that
rejects conventional, pharmaceutical-based medi-
cine and replaces it with the use of dietary supple-
ments and therapies such as herbs, vitamins,
minerals, massage, and cleansing diets. Alternative
medicine includes well-established treatment sys-
tems such as homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Med-
icine, and Ayurvedic medicine, as well as more-
recent, fad-driven treatments.
Alzheimer’s disease—An incurable disease of
older individuals that results in the destruction of
nerve cells in the brain and causes gradual loss of
mental and physical functions.
Conventional medicine—Mainstream or Western
pharmaceutical-based medicine practiced by med-
ical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, and other
licensed health care professionals.
Dietary supplement—A product, such as a vitamin,
mineral, herb, amino acid, or enzyme, that is
intended to be consumed in addition to an individ-
ual’s diet with the expectation that it will improve
health.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—An ancient
system of medicine based on maintaining a balance
in vital energy orqithat controls emotions, spiritual,
and physical well being. Diseases and disorders
result from imbalances in qi, and treatments such
as massage, exercise, acupuncture, nutritional and
herbal therapy is designed to restore balance and
harmony to the body.Ginseng