D
Body Mass Index (BMI)
No effect
1 study20 participants
none
?
Cortisol
1 study20 participants
↓Improves
?
Strength
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
20 participants
↑Improves
?
Waist-Hip Ratio
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng)
Panax ginseng is commonly referred to as “Korean ginseng”. It appears to be effective for mood, immunity, and cognition, but is subpar for erectile function, testosterone, and exercise performance.
Quick Answer
What it is
Panax ginseng is commonly referred to as “Korean ginseng”. It appears to be effective for mood, immunity, and cognition, but is subpar for erectile function, testosterone, and exercise performance.
Key findings
- Grade B: Blood glucose (Type 2 Diabetes)
- Grade B: Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
- Grade B: Blood Lactate (Exercise) (General Athletic Performance)
Safety
No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.
ℹ️ Quick Facts: Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng)
Quick Facts: Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng)
- Best Evidence:Grade B
- Conditions Studied:38
- Research Outcomes:228
- Grade B Findings:9
- Key Effect:Cognitive Improvement
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B9
C18
D7
38 conditions · 228 outcomes
Detailed Outcomes
Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
124 participants
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
29 studies702 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
18 studies803 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
17 studies741 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
16 studies753 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
15 studies657 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
476 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies106 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
182 participants
↑Worsens
?
Glycemic Control
15 participants
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
36 participants
↑Improves
?
Weight
1 study36 participants
↓Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
124 participants
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
29 studies702 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
18 studies803 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
17 studies741 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
16 studies753 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
15 studies657 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
476 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies106 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
182 participants
↑Worsens
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
124 participants
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
29 studies702 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
18 studies803 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
17 studies741 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
16 studies753 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
15 studies657 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
476 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies106 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
182 participants
↑Worsens
B
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
Small Improvement
295 participants
small↓Improves
?
Cognition
295 participants
↑Improves
?
Cognitive Decline
61 participants
↓Improves
B
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
Small Decrease
63 participants
small↓Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
132 participants
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
3 studies105 participants
↓Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
3 studies54 participants
↑Improves
?
Body Fat
2 studies74 participants
↓Improves
?
Exercise Capacity
2 studies47 participants
↑Improves
?
Peak power output (PPO)
2 studies62 participants
↑Improves
?
Strength
2 studies53 participants
↑Improves
?
Weight
2 studies74 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
1 study20 participants
↓Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study20 participants
↓Improves
?
Exercise Recovery
24 participants
↑Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study24 participants
↓Improves
?
Free Fatty Acids
1 study8 participants
↑Improves
?
Immunoglobulin A
38 participants
↑Improves
?
Lactate Dehydrogenase
10 participants
↑Improves
?
Muscle Soreness
1 study10 participants
↓Improves
?
Respiratory Exchange Ratio
1 study36 participants
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
20 participants
↑Improves
?
Waist-Hip Ratio
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
B
Erections
Small Increase
195 participants
small↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study60 participants
↓Improves
?
Prolactin
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
60 participants
↑Improves
B
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
Small Improvement
158 participants
small↓Improves
B
Attention
Small Improvement
82 participants
small↑Improves
?
Cognition
422 participants
↑Improves
?
Reaction Time
222 participants
↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
60 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1 study48 participants
↓Improves
?
Cognitive Decline
61 participants
↓Improves
?
Motor Control
1 study112 participants
↑Improves
?
Processing Speed
32 participants
↑Improves
?
Stress Signs and Symptoms
1 study50 participants
↓Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
30 participants
↑Improves
?
Working Memory
1 study28 participants
↑Improves
B
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
139 participants
small↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
29 studies702 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
18 studies803 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
17 studies741 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
16 studies753 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
15 studies657 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
476 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
124 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies106 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
182 participants
↑Worsens
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
1 study20 participants
↓Improves
?
Cognition
30 participants
↑Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study20 participants
↓Improves
?
DNA Damage
1 study57 participants
↑Worsens
?
Glycemic Control
18 participants
↑Improves
?
Inflammation
18 participants
↓Improves
?
LDL Oxidation
1 study57 participants
↓Improves
?
Muscle Damage
1 study18 participants
↑Worsens
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study82 participants
↓Improves
?
Strength
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
20 participants
↑Improves
?
Waist-Hip Ratio
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
?
Weight
1 study57 participants
↓Improves
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
2 studies74 participants
small↓Improves
?
Strength
2 studies53 participants
↑Improves
?
Weight
2 studies74 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
1 study20 participants
↓Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study20 participants
↓Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study41 participants
↓Improves
?
Lactate Dehydrogenase
10 participants
↑Improves
?
Muscle Soreness
1 study10 participants
↓Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
41 participants
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study10 participants
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
20 participants
↑Improves
?
Waist-Hip Ratio
1 study20 participants
↑Improves
C
Cognition
Small Improvement
30 participants
small↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
143 participants
↑Improves
?
Mood
1 study30 participants
↑Improves
?
Reaction Time
20 participants
↑Improves
C
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
Small Decrease
36 participants
small↓Improves
?
Heart Rate
3 studies105 participants
↓Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
105 participants
↑Improves
?
Body Fat
1 study41 participants
↓Improves
?
Exercise Capacity
1 study28 participants
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study36 participants
↑Improves
?
Respiratory Exchange Ratio
1 study36 participants
↑Improves
?
Weight
1 study41 participants
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
18 participants
small↓Improves
?
Creatine Kinase
20 participants
↑Worsens
?
Glycemic Control
18 participants
↑Improves
?
Inflammation
18 participants
↓Improves
?
Lactate Dehydrogenase
10 participants
↑Improves
?
Muscle Damage
1 study18 participants
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Soreness
1 study10 participants
↓Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
20 participants
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study10 participants
↑Improves
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
1 study41 participants
small↓Improves
?
Exercise Recovery
24 participants
↑Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study24 participants
↓Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study41 participants
↓Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
41 participants
↑Improves
?
Peak power output (PPO)
1 study24 participants
↑Improves
?
Weight
1 study41 participants
↓Improves
C
Colorectal Cancer Risk
Moderate Improvement
1 study3974 participants
moderate↓Improves
?
Overall Cancer Risk
4617 participants
↑Worsens
?
Ovarian Cancer Risk
1 study3974 participants
↑Worsens
?
Pancreatic Cancer Risk
1 study3974 participants
↑Worsens
C
Blood Flow
Small Increase
17 participants
small↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
29 studies702 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
18 studies803 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
17 studies741 participants
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
16 studies753 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
15 studies657 participants
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
476 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
124 participants
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies106 participants
↓Improves
?
Insulin
182 participants
↑Worsens
?
Vascular Function
1 study17 participants
↑Improves
C
ADHD Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
1 study70 participants
moderate↓Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study70 participants
↓Improves
?
Serum DHEA
70 participants
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
64 participants
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1 study64 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study64 participants
↓Improves
?
Vascular Function
1 study64 participants
↑Improves
C
Cognition
Small Improvement
60 participants
small↑Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study60 participants
↓Improves
?
Quality of Life
1 study60 participants
↑Improves
C
Depression Symptoms
Small Improvement
50 participants
small↓Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study50 participants
↓Improves
?
Insomnia Signs and Symptoms
50 participants
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
15 participants
small↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
15 participants
↑Improves
C
Attention
Small Improvement
32 participants
small↑Improves
?
Processing Speed
32 participants
↑Improves
?
Reaction Time
32 participants
↑Improves
C
Creatine Kinase
Moderate Decrease
20 participants
moderate↓Improves
?
Oxygen Uptake
20 participants
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
48 participants
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1 study48 participants
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
1 study48 participants
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
48 participants
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study48 participants
↑Improves
?
Insulin
48 participants
↑Worsens
?
LDL Oxidation
1 study48 participants
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study48 participants
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study48 participants
↓Improves
C
Cognition
Small Improvement
90 participants
small↑Improves
?
Intermediate-Term Memory
90 participants
↑Improves
?
Short-Term Memory (Simple)
1 study90 participants
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
15 participants
small↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
15 participants
↑Improves
C
Depression Symptoms
Small Improvement
64 participants
small↓Improves
?
Schizophrenia symptoms
64 participants
↓Improves
?
Working Memory
1 study64 participants
↑Improves
D
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
No effect
1 study72 participants
none
?
Depression Symptoms
384 participants
↓Improves
?
Estrogen
1 study72 participants
↑Worsens
?
Hot Flash Symptoms
1 study384 participants
↓Improves
?
Libido
28 participants
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study72 participants
↓Improves
?
Menopausal Symptoms
72 participants
↓Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
384 participants
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study72 participants
↓Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
1 study80 participants
none
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study80 participants
↓Improves
?
Immunoglobulin A
38 participants
↑Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study80 participants
↑Worsens
?
Peak power output (PPO)
1 study38 participants
↑Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
1 study80 participants
none
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study80 participants
↓Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
1 study80 participants
↑Worsens
D
Lactate Threshold
No effect
1 study15 participants
none
?
Oxygen Uptake
15 participants
↑Improves
?
Reaction Time
15 participants
↑Improves
D
Anaerobic Capacity
No effect
1 study9 participants
none
?
Blood glucose
9 participants
↓Improves
?
Blood Lactate (Exercise)
9 participants
↑Worsens
?
Fat Oxidation
1 study9 participants
↑Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study9 participants
↓Improves
?
Oxygen Cost of Exercise
1 study9 participants
↑Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study9 participants
↑Improves
D
Lactate Threshold
No effect
1 study15 participants
none
?
Oxygen Uptake
15 participants
↑Improves
?
Reaction Time
15 participants
↑Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
2 studies232 participants
↓Improves
?
Vaccine Augmentation
227 participants
↑Improves
?
Vaccine Augmentation
227 participants
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
66 participants
↑Improves
?
Blood Flow
50 participants
↑Improves
?
Erections
86 participants
↑Improves
?
Libido
28 participants
↑Improves
?
Sleep Quality
16 participants
↑Improves
Evidence by Condition
Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)
Research Citations (59)
Related Supplements
L-Carnitine
28 shared conditions · 558 outcomes
L-carnitine can relieve leg pain in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and treat some aspects of metabolic syndrome. Although it’s often also used for fat loss, its effectiveness for that is questionable.
Fish Oil
25 shared conditions · 448 outcomes
Fish oil is a mix of mostly EPA and DHA derived from fatty fish. It reduces triglycerides, but does not seem to affect the rate of cardiovascular events. It appears to reduce the symptoms of depression and improve some painful, inflammatory conditions.
Vitamin D
22 shared conditions · 308 outcomes
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the sun. It benefits us in many ways, from bone health to mood.
Saffron
22 shared conditions · 390 outcomes
Saffron is a spice with antioxidant properties derived from the flowering plant Crocus sativus. When used as a supplement, saffron seems to be effective at reducing symptoms of depression and possibly anxiety.
Creatine
21 shared conditions · 433 outcomes
Creatine is among the most well-studied and effective supplements for improving exercise performance. It does this mainly by increasing energy availability during high-intensity activity. Creatine may also provide cognitive and mental health benefits in some contexts.
Vitamin C
19 shared conditions · 262 outcomes
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is an essential vitamin and a very popular supplement due to its antioxidant properties, safety profile, and low price. Many people supplement with vitamin C because it is believed to reduce symptoms of the common cold.
Spirulina
19 shared conditions · 304 outcomes
Spirulina, commonly known as “blue-green algae”, is a nontoxic cyanobacterium that is rich in various nutrients and bioactive pigments and polyphenols. Spirulina contains many antioxidant compounds and could have beneficial cardiometabolic effects.
Ashwagandha
19 shared conditions · 318 outcomes
Ashwagandha has been called the king of Ayurvedic herbs. It’s best known for reducing stress and anxiety. It may also modestly enhance various aspects of physical performance, increase testosterone levels, and improve reproductive health, but more research is needed to confirm these effects.