NR-025 Ingredient Atlas entry · Root

Panax ginseng

Panax ginseng, also called Korean or Asian ginseng, from the ivy family

A root long used as a tonic in Korea and China, often taken as red ginseng, and studied for many things, most often blood sugar, the heart, immunity, tiredness and thinking. Here is every study in people we could find, sorted from each study's summary.

  • Part used: root
  • Taken as root, red ginseng or extract
  • Usually 8 weeks
Version 1.0Updated 19 Oct 2026
A round cluster of green, unripe ginseng berries on a stalk above the plant's broad leaves
A Korean ginseng plant with its unripe berries. Photo by Scudsvlad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The research map

From every paper to the studies that matter

Most research on Panax ginseng is in the lab or about growing and processing the plant. Only a small share tests it in people, and that is what this page is about.

  1. 14,169 papers mention Panax ginseng. Every record in PubMed, all years
  2. 521 are about people. The rest: 7,159 lab and animal studies, 1,605 reviews, 4,884 on chemistry, farming and more
  3. 264 give Panax ginseng on its own. 127 more test it inside a blend
  4. 157 are randomised against a placebo. The strongest kind of study

Bar lengths use a square-root scale so the small numbers stay visible.

At a glance

How much research there is

  • 264 studies giving Panax ginseng to people
  • 157 of them randomised against a placebo
  • 14,196 people taking part, where studies say
  • 278 systematic reviews pooling the trials

Studies in people, by year published

Panax ginseng on its own. Most were published since 2010.

Randomised, placebo-controlled Other designs
What was measured

What the studies looked at

Each study can measure several things. Choose a topic to see its studies in the list below.

Studies in people with a diagnosed condition are counted here and listed with their population. We describe what they measured, not what they might treat. Most studies also report safety; see below.

Doses and extracts

What was tested, and how much

Ginseng is taken as dried root powder, red ginseng (the root steamed, then dried) or concentrated extracts such as G115, so the same number of milligrams can mean very different amounts of the root. Red ginseng is often given in grams a day, extracts in a few hundred milligrams.

Daily amount, one dot per study

Summary read119 studies don't give a daily amount in their summary and aren't shown.

Studies per extract

  • Korean red ginseng (KRG)27
  • Korean Red Ginseng16
  • G11516
  • Other named171
  • Not named34

Named extracts are the maker's brand. "Not named" means the study didn't say.

Every study

All studies in people

Filter the list, then open a study on PubMed. Each row comes from the study's published summary. American ginseng, notoginseng and Siberian ginseng are different plants, so they aren't included.

Study Who took part People Extract and daily dose Length
Lee 2026ObservationalHIV-1 patients, KRG-naive or experienced200Korean Red Ginseng–
Park 2026RCT, placeboMen with andropause symptoms116SIRTBERRY ginseng berry extract, 700 mg8 weeks
Wang 2026RCT, placeboChinese women with menopausal symptoms112Red ginseng beverage13 weeks
Ge 2026RCT, placeboPatients with stable coronary artery disease100Zhenyuan capsule (ginseng berry saponins)12 weeks
Nam 2026RCT, placeboAdults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes70Korean red ginseng (KRG), 2,000 mg12 weeks
Rahmani 2026RCT, placeboGastrointestinal cancer survivors with fatigue65Standardized Panax ginseng extract, 250 mg4 weeks
Seo 2026RCT, active or other controlPatients after gastrointestinal cancer surgery60Korean red ginseng (KRG)–
Zhao 2026Single-arm or open-labelOverweight middle-aged adults50Panax ginseng Meyer, 6,000 mg4 weeks
Lee 2026RCT, placeboPatients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy24Korean red ginseng (KRG)13 weeks
Nilsson 2026Crossover, placeboHealthy middle-aged adults22Panax ginseng tablets (32 mg ginsenosides)–
Tan 2026RCT, placeboAdults with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose regulation–Korean red ginseng capsules–
Seo 2025RCT, placeboAdults recently infected with COVID-19220G1899 Korean red ginseng extract powder12 weeks
Dormal 2025RCT, placeboModerately stressed adults149Hydroponically grown red ginseng root powder, 200 mg3 weeks
Nam 2025RCT, placeboAdults with daily fatigue88Ginseng berry concentrate (GBC), 1,000 mg8 weeks
Shim 2025RCT, placeboAdults with stress-related symptoms86White ginseng (PGC)12 weeks
Lee 2025RCT, placeboHealthy middle-aged Japanese adults46Korean red ginseng (KRG) extract, 960 mg3 weeks
Otsu 2025RCT, active or other controlPancreatic cancer patients on chemotherapy40Koujin red ginseng powder (TJ-3020), 2,000 mg8 weeks
Kang 2025Single-arm or open-labelPatients with mild chronic pancreatitis symptoms40Korean red ginseng (KRG)26 weeks
Gao 2024Crossover, placeboAdults with prediabetes195Zhenyuan capsule (ginseng berry saponins)4 weeks
Cho 2024RCT, placeboPatients with Sjogren syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis120Korean red ginseng (KRG), 2,000 mg12 weeks
Yang 2024RCT, placeboSub-healthy adults with low immunity119Korean red ginseng (KRG) capsule26 weeks
Jeong 2024RCT, placeboKorean adults with prediabetes98Red ginseng extract powder (KGC05pg), 500 mg12 weeks
Shin 2024RCT, placeboMen with lower urinary tract symptoms88Red ginseng oil (RXGIN)12 weeks
Baek 2024RCT, placeboAdults 55-75 with subjective memory impairment80ThinkGIN (sprout ginseng extract), 450 mg12 weeks
Cho 2024ObservationalHIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy58Korean Red Ginseng–
Omrani 2024RCT, placeboThyroid cancer patients receiving radioiodine40Panax ginseng (PG), 500 mg0 weeks
Hong 2024Non-randomised controlledChildren after stem cell transplant for cancer38Korean red ginseng (KRG) powder52 weeks
Lee 2024Single-arm or open-labelAdults with cerebellar atrophy9Korean Red Ginseng, 4,500 mg13 weeks
Hernández-García 2024RCT, placeboMale recreational athletes–Panax ginseng extract (PG), 500 mg2 weeks
Yoon 2023RCT, active or other controlHealthy adults vaccinated against COVID-19350Korean red ginseng (KRG)24 weeks
Cho 2023ObservationalHIV-1 patients, KRG-treated vs naive153Korean red ginseng–
Lee 2023RCT, placeboAdults with subjective memory impairment136Gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF), 600 mg8 weeks
Yoon 2023RCT, placeboHealthy men reporting stress90Korean red ginseng (KRG)8 weeks
Jeddy 2023RCT, active or other controlOral cancer patients45Red ginseng herbal mouth rinseOn the skin2 weeks
Hamidian 2023RCT, placeboWomen with non-metastatic breast cancer on chemotherapy40Panax ginseng, 1,000 mg–
Hamidian 2023RCT, placeboWomen with breast cancer on doxorubicin30Panax ginseng, 1,000 mg–
Park 2022RCT, placeboHealthy volunteers180KGR-BG1 black ginseng extract6 weeks
Yang 2022RCT, placeboHealthy adults doing exercise test110Korean red ginseng (KRG) capsule8 weeks
Cho 2022ObservationalHIV-1 patients without ART77Korean red ginseng–
Lee 2022RCT, placeboAdults with subjective memory impairment76Gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF), 300 mg8 weeks
Kwon 2022RCT, placeboPatients with severe atherosclerosis58Korean red ginseng (KRG) extract, 2,000 mg52 weeks
Kim 2022Single-arm or open-labelAdults aged 40 to 7553Red ginseng extract, 3,000 mg24 weeks
Korshnyak 2022Single-arm or open-labelMild combat brain injury with asthenic syndrome42Korean red ginseng–
Lee 2022Single-arm or open-labelKorean women aged 50 or older29Fermented red ginseng concentrate3 weeks
Hou 2022RCT, active or other controlHealthy women, split-face skin test20Red ginseng hydrogel formulationOn the skin–
Shin 2022PharmacokineticHealthy Korean men16Fermented red ginseng (FRG) vs red ginseng, 6,000 mg–
Kim 2022PharmacokineticHealthy Korean men14Red ginseng vs bioconverted red ginseng extract–
Ahn 2022PharmacokineticHealthy Korean volunteers11DDK-401 compound K-enriched red ginseng extract–
Cristina-Souza 2022Crossover, placeboMale track and field athletes10Panax ginseng1 weeks
Teitelbaum 2021Single-arm or open-labelPeople with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia188HRG80 red ginseng4 weeks
Hyun 2021RCT, placeboHealthy adults100Korean red ginseng (KRG) tablet, 2,000 mg8 weeks
Hong 2021RCT, placeboPatients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease94Korea Red Ginseng (KRG), 2,000 mg4 weeks
Kwon 2021RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia68Korean red ginseng (KRG), 2,000 mg4 weeks
Chung 2021RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women63Korean red ginseng (KRG)–
Jung 2021RCT, placeboPatients with allergic rhinitis60Korean red ginseng (KRG)4 weeks
Ghorbani 2021RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome60Panax ginseng4 weeks
Seong 2021RCT, placeboAdults with metabolic syndrome60Korean red ginseng (KRG)8 weeks
Chung 2021RCT, placeboPremenopausal women after gynaecologic cancer surgery55Korean red ginseng (KRG), 3,000 mg12 weeks
Kim 2021RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women with hand osteoarthritis52Korean red ginseng (RG), 3,000 mg12 weeks
Namgung 2021RCT, placeboHealthy adults51Korean red ginseng (KRG), 1,000 mg8 weeks
Kim 2021RCT, active or other controlPatients with bile duct or pancreatic cancer on chemotherapy26Korean red ginseng (KRG)–
Cho 2021Single-arm or open-labelHIV-1 infected hemophiliacs20Korean Red Ginseng–
Chen 2021RCT, placeboHealthy female college students20Jilin ginseng root6 weeks
Dimpfel 2021Crossover, placeboHealthy elderly adults–HRG80 red ginseng and white ginseng4 weeks
Yoo 2021PharmacokineticHealthy adults–Black ginseng (CJ EnerG) vs red ginseng–
Lee 2021Crossover, placeboPatients with glaucoma–Red ginseng–
Kim 2020RCT, placeboColorectal cancer patients on chemotherapy438Korean red ginseng (KRG), 2,000 mg16 weeks
Chen 2020RCT, placeboAdults with moderate to very severe COPD200G115, 400 mg24 weeks
Kwon 2020RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia68Korean red ginseng (KRG), 2,000 mg4 weeks
Shen 2020RCT, placeboAdults with raised ALT (hepatic dysfunction)60GS-KG9 Panax ginseng extract, 3,000 mg12 weeks
Sung 2020RCT, placeboAdults with chronic fatigue50Korean red ginseng (KRG), 3,000 mg6 weeks
Mariage 2020Crossover, placeboTired healthy adults50HRG80 red ginseng and white ginseng (PGS)2 weeks
Lee 2020Single-arm or open-labelAdults with difficult-to-treat major depression36Korean red ginseng (KRG)6 weeks
Kim 2020PharmacokineticHealthy Korean volunteers34Red ginseng and fermented red ginseng–
Zhao 2020Single-arm or open-labelHealthy volunteers30Korean Red Ginseng, 3,000 mg2 weeks
Al-Dujaili 2020Single-arm or open-labelHealthy women24Korean red ginseng extract, 75 mg1 weeks
Park 2020Non-randomised controlledAdults, split-face cream test23Fermented black ginseng 1% creamOn the skin8 weeks
Park 2020Non-randomised controlledAdults, split-face cream test23Fermented black ginseng 1% creamOn the skin8 weeks
Choi 2020PharmacokineticHealthy Korean volunteers15Red ginseng extract2 weeks
Park 2020RCT, placeboAdults with type 2 diabetes and neuropathy–Korean red ginseng (KRG)24 weeks
Wang 2020Non-randomised controlledAdults with Spleen-Qi deficiency–Panax ginseng–
Park 2020RCT, placeboAdults with type 2 diabetes–Korean red ginseng (KRG)24 weeks
Zhang 2019RCT, placeboChinese adults with TCM deficiency syndrome180Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), 3,600 mg4 weeks
Shergis 2019RCT, placeboAdults with moderate COPD168Not named, 200 mg24 weeks
Cho 2019ObservationalHIV-1 patients, KRG-treated vs naive163Korean red ginseng–
Park 2019RCT, placeboAdults with mild cognitive impairment90Panax ginseng powder, 3,000 mg26 weeks
Baek 2019RCT, placeboAdults with high stress levels63Korean Red Ginseng6 weeks
Ghorbani 2019RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction62Not named, 1,000 mg4 weeks
Hou 2019Single-arm or open-labelAdults with acne symptoms20Red ginseng ethanol extract fraction (RGEF)On the skin4 weeks
Fukami 2019PharmacokineticHealthy Japanese adults aged 40-6012Fermented ginseng (L. paracasei A221)–
Jin 2019PharmacokineticHealthy volunteers–Red ginseng extract2 weeks
Song 2018RCT, placeboHealthy adults1,000Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), 2,000 mg24 weeks
Lee 2018RCT, placeboSedentary healthy adults in exercise program117Ginsenoside complex (UG0712), 500 mg12 weeks
Pourmohamadi 2018RCT, placeboColon cancer patients after chemotherapy113Not named, 100 mg4 weeks
Cho 2018Crossover, placeboWomen with rheumatoid arthritis80Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), 2,000 mg8 weeks
Choi 2018RCT, placeboAdults with fasting glucose 100-140 mg/dL72Ginseng berry extract12 weeks
Kang 2018Non-randomised controlledColon cancer patients on FOLFOX chemotherapy42Korean red ginseng extract (KRG)–
Kim 2018Single-arm or open-labelMild to moderate atopic dermatitis41Korean red ginseng tablets8 weeks
Flanagan 2018Crossover, placeboHealthy men and women, intense resistance exercise19GINST15, 960 mg2 weeks
Caldwell 2018Crossover, placeboHealthy men and women, resistance exercise19GINST15, 960 mg2 weeks
Yan 2018Non-randomised controlledProfessional athletes in training–Korean ginseng4 weeks
In-Ho 2018Non-randomised controlledHealthy adults–Ginseng berry extract4 weeks
Cho 2017ObservationalHIV-1 patients with and without KRG252Korean Red Ginseng372 weeks
Yennurajalingam 2017RCT, placeboPatients with advanced cancer and fatigue127Not named, 800 mg4 weeks
Al-Kuraishy 2017RCT, placeboHealthy medical students65Not named, 500 mg4 weeks
Jiang 2017RCT, active or other controlAdvanced lung cancer patients on chemotherapy60Fermented red ginseng (FRG) extract9 weeks
Kim 2017RCT, placeboWomen with ovarian cancer after chemotherapy30Red ginseng, 3,000 mg13 weeks
Fung 2017Crossover, placeboHealthy volunteers25Not named3 weeks
Cho 2017Single-arm or open-labelLong-term slow progressor HIV-1 patients10Korean Red Ginseng–
Park 2016RCT, placeboMale infertility patients with varicocele80Korean red ginseng (KRG), 1,500 mg12 weeks
Hong 2016RCT, placeboPatients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease80Korean Red Ginseng (KRG)3 weeks
Park 2016RCT, placeboIndividuals with healthy skin78BG11001 (enzyme-treated red ginseng), 750 mg24 weeks
Cha 2016RCT, placeboPrehypertensive nonobese, nondiabetic adults62Korean red ginseng, 5,000 mg12 weeks
Jung 2016RCT, placeboMen with metabolic syndrome62Red ginseng (RG), 3,000 mg4 weeks
Choi 2016RCT, active or other controlPatients with chronic hepatitis B on antivirals38Korean Red Ginseng powder, 3,000 mg–
Ong Lai Teik 2016Crossover, placeboHealthy adult volunteers24Not named, 1,000 mg–
Kim 2016Single-arm or open-labelHealthy Korean-type male volunteers15Fermented red ginseng2 weeks
Heo 2016Single-arm or open-labelAlzheimer's disease patients14Korean Red Ginseng, 4,500 mg12 weeks
Kim 2016Single-arm or open-labelHealthy Korean men14Red ginseng (RG)2 weeks
Szeto 2016OtherHealthy adults7Commercial Panax ginseng extract–
Shah 2016Crossover, placeboYoung healthy volunteers–Not named, 800 mg–
Kim 2015RCT, active or other controlPatients with chronic tinnitus61Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), 3,000 mg4 weeks
Bae 2015RCT, placeboGlaucoma patients with dry eye49Korean Red Ginseng, 3,000 mg8 weeks
Chung 2015Crossover, placeboPremenopausal women with sexual dysfunction41Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), 3,000 mg8 weeks
Jeong 2015Single-arm or open-labelWomen with residual symptoms of major depression35Korean Red Ginseng, 3,000 mg8 weeks
LaSala 2015RCT, placeboHealthy volunteers in driving simulator30Not named, 1,200 mg–
Yennurajalingam 2015Single-arm or open-labelCancer patients with fatigue30Not named, 800 mg4 weeks
Hwang 2015RCT, placeboAdults with healthy skin, eye wrinkles23Enzyme-modified ginseng extract (EG)On the skin–
De Souza 2015Crossover, placeboHealthy adults13Korean red ginseng whole root and ethanol extracts, 3,000 mg–
Park 2015OtherTwo advanced cancer patients2Mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture–
Lee 2014RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women93Fermented red ginseng (FRG)2 weeks
Lee 2014RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women aged 50-7393Fermented red ginseng (FRG)2 weeks
Rhee 2014RCT, placeboAdults with mildly raised blood pressure90Ginseol K-g1, 300 mg8 weeks
Seo 2014RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women aged 45-6082Korean red ginseng, 3,000 mg12 weeks
Park 2014RCT, placeboWomen with cold hypersensitivity in hands and feet80Korean red ginseng (KRG), 6,000 mg8 weeks
Park 2014Non-randomised controlledSudden sensorineural hearing loss on steroids73Korean red ginseng extract, 3,000 mg3 weeks
Cho 2014RCT, placeboHealthy adults aged 50-7572Y-75 (Ginsan) polysaccharide, 6,000 mg14 weeks
Ko 2014RCT, placeboChildren aged 6-15 with ADHD symptoms70Korean red ginseng extract, 2,000 mg8 weeks
Oh 2014RCT, placeboAdults with impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes42Fermented red ginseng (FRG)4 weeks
Bang 2014RCT, placeboAdults with impaired glucose or new type 2 diabetes41Korean red ginseng (KRG), 5,000 mg12 weeks
Lee 2014Crossover, placeboHealthy men given alcohol25Red ginseng anti-hangover drink–
Shishtar 2014Crossover, placeboAdults with type 2 diabetes25Korean white ginseng (KWG), 3,000 mg–
Jovanovski 2014Crossover, placeboHealthy volunteers23Rg3-enriched Korean red ginseng, 400 mg–
Park 2014RCT, placeboKorean adults with impaired fasting glucose23Hydrolyzed ginseng extract (HGE), 960 mg8 weeks
Yang 2014RCT, placeboYoung women22Korean red ginseng (KRG), 2,700 mg2 weeks
Jovanovski 2014Crossover, placeboHealthy volunteers16Korean red ginseng (KRG) root and fractions, 3,000 mg–
Calderón 2014PharmacokineticHealthy volunteers on lopinavir-ritonavir12Not named, 1,000 mg2 weeks
Song 2014Single-arm or open-labelObese middle-aged Korean women10Panax ginseng extract8 weeks
Wu 2014RCT, placeboAdults with moderate to very severe COPD10Not named, 400 mg4 weeks
Ryu 2014OtherWomen with female pattern alopecia–Korean red ginseng–
Choi 2013RCT, placeboMen with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction119Standardized Korean ginseng berry (SKGB), 1,400 mg8 weeks
Lee 2013RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women93Fermented red ginseng (FRG)2 weeks
Kim 2013RCT, placeboAdults with idiopathic chronic fatigue9020% ethanol extract of Panax ginseng, 2,000 mg4 weeks
Cho 2013RCT, placeboHealthy overweight and obese adults68Korean red ginseng rootlets, 6,000 mg12 weeks
Delui 2013RCT, placeboIranian adults with hyperlipidemia40Not named8 weeks
Braz 2013RCT, placeboPatients with fibromyalgia38Not named, 100 mg12 weeks
Cho 2013ObservationalHIV-1 long-term slow progressors vs controls31Korean red ginseng–
Lee 2013RCT, placeboGallstone patients on bile acid therapy28Korean red ginseng (KRG), 7,500 mg24 weeks
Han 2013Single-arm or open-labelHealthy young men15Red ginseng extract (RGE), 4,500 mg1 weeks
Kim 2013PharmacokineticHealthy Korean men10Korean Red Ginseng extract–
Kang 2013RCT, placeboHealthy adults–Korean red ginseng extract, 1,500 mg8 weeks
Lee 2012RCT, placeboHealthy volunteers100Korean Red Ginseng (KRG)–
Kim 2012RCT, placeboPostmenopausal women72Red ginseng (RG), 3,000 mg12 weeks
Yoon 2012RCT, placeboDrug-naive adults with type 2 diabetes72Ginsam (vinegar extract), 3,000 mg8 weeks
Park 2012RCT, placeboAdults with metabolic syndrome60Korean red ginseng (KRG), 4,500 mg12 weeks
Kwon 2012RCT, placeboObese women50Korean red ginseng (KRG)8 weeks
Chen 2012Single-arm or open-labelHemodialysis patients with intradialytic hypotension38Korean red ginseng slices4 weeks
Lee 2012Non-randomised controlledChildren with cancer after chemotherapy30Korean red ginseng extract52 weeks
Jin 2012PharmacokineticHealthy Korean male volunteers24Not named, 3,000 mg–
Yeo 2012RCT, placeboHealthy young men15Korean red ginseng, 4,500 mg2 weeks
Malati 2012PharmacokineticHealthy adult volunteers12Not named, 1,000 mg4 weeks
Kim 2012RCT, placeboHealthy adults aged 20-65–KRG, 6,000 mg8 weeks
Lee 2012RCT, placeboHealthy Korean adult volunteers–Not named, 2,000 mg4 weeks
Kim 2011RCT, placeboHealthy adult volunteers82Not named, 2,000 mg4 weeks
Rhee 2011RCT, placeboAdults with hypertension on medication80KRG, 3,000 mg12 weeks
Jung 2011RCT, placeboPatients with perennial allergic rhinitis59Fermented red ginseng4 weeks
Ahn 2011RCT, placeboPatients after ST-elevation myocardial infarction50Red ginseng extract, 3,000 mg35 weeks
Lee 2011Single-arm or open-labelAtopic dermatitis patients30Korean red ginseng16 weeks
Song 2011Single-arm or open-labelWomen with melasma25Korean red ginseng powder, 3,000 mg24 weeks
Lee 2011Single-arm or open-labelHealthy young women21Korean red ginseng2 weeks
Jung 2011RCT, placeboMale college students after uphill running18Korean red ginseng extract, 60,000 mg2 weeks
Lee 2011Single-arm or open-labelChildren aged 6 to 14 with ADHD18Korean red ginseng, 2,000 mg8 weeks
De Souza 2011Crossover, placeboHealthy adults13KRG root fractions, 3,000 mg–
Ping 2011Crossover, placeboHeat-adapted recreational male runners9Not named, 200 mg–
Kwon 2011Single-arm or open-labelNon-small cell lung cancer patients6Mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture4 weeks
Kim 2011RCT, active or other controlHealthy subjects given fermented or plain red ginseng–Fermented red ginseng extract (FRG-E)–
Bandyopadhyay 2011RCT, placeboRunners in hot humid environment (from title only)–Not named–
Heo 2011Single-arm or open-labelPatients with Alzheimer's disease, long-term follow-up–KRG, 9,000 mg96 weeks
Yun 2010RCT, placeboChronic atrophic gastritis patients643Red ginseng extract powder, 143 mg156 weeks
Oh 2010Crossover, placeboMenopausal women32KRG, 3,000 mg–
Reay 2010Crossover, placeboHealthy young adults30G115, 400 mg1 weeks
Lee 2010Crossover, placeboValve replacement patients taking warfarin25KRG, 1,000 mg6 weeks
Jovanovski 2010Crossover, placeboHealthy adults17KRG root and fractions, 3,000 mg–
Lee 2010Single-arm or open-labelAdvanced cancer patients7Cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture9 weeks
Kim 2009RCT, placeboMen with erectile dysfunction143Tissue-cultured mountain ginseng extract (TMGE), 2,000 mg8 weeks
Yook 2009RCT, placeboHealthy adult males120Wild ginseng pharmacopuncture–
Lee 2009Single-arm or open-labelDyspepsia patients with halitosis88Korea red ginseng10 weeks
Sung 2009Non-randomised controlledHIV-1 patients on antiretroviral therapy46Korean Red Ginseng156 weeks
Cho 2009Single-arm or open-labelHIV-1 infected hemophiliacs20Korean Red Ginseng–
Cho 2009Single-arm or open-labelLong-term survivors of HIV-13Korean Red Ginseng–
Niederhofer 2009Single-arm or open-labelAdolescent males with ADHD3Not named–
Reay 2009Crossover, placeboHealthy volunteers, two studies–G115; Cheong Kwan Jang–
Niederhofer 2009Single-arm or open-labelPatients with autistic disorder–Not named–
Lee 2008RCT, active or other controlAlzheimer's disease patients97Not named, 4,500 mg12 weeks
Heo 2008RCT, active or other controlAlzheimer's disease patients on standard drugs61KRG, 9,000 mg12 weeks
Lee 2008RCT, active or other controlIschemic stroke patients starting warfarin25Not named2 weeks
Cho 2008Non-randomised controlledHIV-1 long-term survivors18Korean Red Ginseng–
Vuksan 2008Crossover, placeboAdults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes–KRG rootlets, 6,000 mg12 weeks
Ma 2008RCT, placeboAdults with type 2 diabetes–Not named–
de Andrade 2007RCT, placeboMen with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction60KRG, 3,000 mg12 weeks
Beckert 2007OtherHealthy adult volunteers, five herbs tested in turn10Not named2 weeks
Reay 2006Crossover, placeboYoung healthy volunteers, two studies57G115, 400 mg–
Kim 2006RCT, placeboCancer patients53Sun ginseng (SG), 3,000 mg12 weeks
Cho 2006Non-randomised controlledHIV-1 slow progressors and controls44Korean Red Ginseng–
Reay 2006Crossover, placeboHealthy young adults27G115, 200 mg–
Jiang 2006PharmacokineticHealthy subjects given single warfarin dose24Not named–
Sievenpiper 2006Crossover, placeboHealthy adults, two studies12KRG rootlets, 6,000 mg–
Sung 2005ObservationalHIV-1 patients without antiretroviral therapy68KRG, 1,200 mg486 weeks
Reay 2005Crossover, placeboHealthy young adults30G115, 400 mg–
Xia 2005RCT, placeboChildren having heart surgery with bypass24Ginsenosides compound (Shen-fu)–
Han 2005Single-arm or open-labelHealthy non-smoking adult men12Korean red ginseng water extract–
Gurley 2005PharmacokineticHealthy older adults aged 60-7612Not named4 weeks
Kim 2005Single-arm or open-labelHealthy sedentary men7Panax ginseng extract (PGE), 6,000 mg8 weeks
Kennedy 2004Crossover, placeboHealthy young adults aged 18-2428G115, 200 mg–
Sievenpiper 2004Crossover, placeboHealthy adults, eight ginseng types tested12Asian and Asian-red ginseng among eight types, 3,000 mg–
Engels 2003RCT, placeboActive healthy adults38G115, 400 mg8 weeks
Sievenpiper 2003Crossover, placeboHealthy adults, two dose studies22Not named, 9,000 mg–
Anderson 2003PharmacokineticVolunteers given ginseng or soy for 14 days20Standardised 4% ginsenosides, 200 mg2 weeks
Kennedy 2003Crossover, placeboHealthy young volunteers15G115, 200 mg–
Tawab 2003PharmacokineticTwo healthy volunteers2Ginsana extract–
Kim 2003Single-arm or open-labelHumans, health status not stated–Panax ginseng extract (PGE), 6,000 mg8 weeks
Gross 2002RCT, placeboAdults with COPD92G115, 200 mg13 weeks
Hong 2002Crossover, placeboMen with erectile dysfunction45KRG, 2,700 mg8 weeks
Suh 2002Non-randomised controlledStage III gastric cancer after surgery42Red ginseng powder–
Ellis 2002RCT, placeboAdults assessed for quality of life30Not named, 200 mg8 weeks
Caron 2002RCT, placeboHealthy adults30Not named, 200 mg4 weeks
Kennedy 2002Crossover, placeboHealthy young adults20Not named, 400 mg–
Gurley 2002PharmacokineticHealthy volunteers12Not named4 weeks
Scholey 2002Crossover, placeboHealthy young adults, three studies–G115–
Cardinal 2001RCT, placeboHealthy young adults83G115, 400 mg8 weeks
Engels 2001RCT, placeboHealthy active women24G115, 400 mg8 weeks
Kennedy 2001Crossover, placeboHealthy young adults20G115, 600 mg–
Cho 2001Non-randomised controlledHIV-1 patients taking zidovudine18KRG261 weeks
Kim 2001Non-randomised controlledMale student smokers–Red ginseng, 1,800 mg4 weeks
Bespalov 2001OtherPrecancerous esophagus and endometrium lesions (plus animals)–Bioginseng, panaxel–
Gaffney 2001Non-randomised controlledClub-level endurance athletes in training–33% ethanolic extract, 2,000 mg6 weeks
Sung 2000RCT, active or other controlPatients with essential hypertension and normotensive controls27KRG–
Tode 1999Single-arm or open-labelPostmenopausal women with climacteric syndromes20Korean red ginseng, 6,000 mg4 weeks
Han 1998Single-arm or open-labelAdults with essential or white coat hypertension34Red ginseng, 4,500 mg8 weeks
Allen 1998RCT, placeboHealthy young adults287% standardised extract, 200 mg3 weeks
Lee 1998RCT, placeboMale smokers–Red ginseng, 1,800 mg4 weeks
Engels 1997RCT, placeboHealthy men36G115, 400 mg8 weeks
Scaglione 1996RCT, placeboAdult volunteers receiving influenza vaccine227Ginsana G115, 100 mg12 weeks
Salvati 1996Non-randomised controlledMen with oligoasthenospermia, with controls86Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer saponins–
Choi 1995RCT, placeboMen with erectile dysfunction90KRG–
Ding 1995RCT, active or other controlPatients with severe congestive heart failure45Red ginseng–
Zhang 1994Non-randomised controlledPregnant women with intrauterine growth retardation54Chang Bai Shan ginseng saponin tablets–
Wang 1994OtherHealthy human subjects–Not named–
Scaglione 1990RCT, placeboHealthy volunteers60Aqueous and standardised extracts, 200 mg8 weeks
Zhao 1990Non-randomised controlledMiddle-aged and older adults–Ginseng-rhizome saponin (GRS), 150 mg9 weeks
Lee 1987OtherHealthy male volunteers14Panax ginseng extract, 3,000 mg–
von Ardenne 1987Single-arm or open-labelAdults given standardised ginseng extract–G115, 200 mg4 weeks
D'Angelo 1986RCT, placeboHealthy male volunteers32G115, 200 mg12 weeks
Huo 1984Single-arm or open-labelElderly patients327Saponin of Panax ginseng fruit–
Safety

What's known about safety

  • In trials

    In placebo-controlled trials, side effects were about as common as with placebo and mostly mild. Trouble sleeping, hot flushes and indigestion were reported most. Taking it by mouth for up to six months appears safe for most people.

    Kim 2015, review of 44 trials with 3,092 people; Coon and Ernst 2002, review of adverse effects; NCCIH, updated Feb 2025

  • In the UK

    Panax ginseng isn't a novel food, because it was eaten in the EU before May 1997, so the root can be sold in food supplements. A G115 root extract is also registered with the MHRA as a traditional herbal medicine. We found no official UK or EU upper limit.

    EU Novel Food Status Catalogue (not novel); FSA novel foods guidance; MHRA list of traditional herbal registrations, Oct 2025; searches of FSA and COT, Oct 2026

  • Check first

    It may lower blood sugar and affect blood clotting, and interactions with warfarin and the antidepressant phenelzine have been reported. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist first if you take regular medicines. Some studies suggest it may be unsafe in pregnancy, and little is known about breastfeeding.

    NCCIH, updated Feb 2025; Coon and Ernst 2002, review of adverse effects and drug interactions

How we built this

Where these studies come from

We list every published study of Panax ginseng in people, leaving out other ginsengs and single purified ginsenosides. This first version is built from each study's summary; full-paper checks come next.

  1. We search

    PubMed, the world's main library of medical research, for every paper on L-theanine.

  2. We keep studies in people

    Lab and animal work is counted but left out of the list, because it doesn't tell you what happens in people.

  3. We note the basics

    Who took part, how many, how much and for how long, from each study's published summary. A second check corrects what the first read gets wrong.

  4. We read them in full

    Results appear once we've read the whole paper and checked every number. The date at the top shows when this entry was last updated.

Download the study list

Every study in people as a spreadsheet, 264 rows, free to reuse with a link back.

Download the CSV

Versions

Each update to the data gets a new version number, so you can tell what changed and when.

See every version

1.0 · 19 Oct 2026. First release. Every published study giving Panax ginseng on its own to people is listed from its summary. None is read in full yet.

Keep exploring

Related