Thai Ginseng

Thai ginseng (Kaempferia parviflora) is NOT related to true ginseng (Panax). It's a rhizome from the ginger family used in Thai traditional medicine primarily for male sexual function. Contains polymethoxyflavones. Some research supports effects on erectile function and physical performance. NO GRADED OUTCOMES. Also researched for anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects. Generally safe as a traditional food/medicine.

Quick Answer

What it is

Thai ginseng (Kaempferia parviflora) is NOT related to true ginseng (Panax). It's a rhizome from the ginger family used in Thai traditional medicine primarily for male sexual function.

Key findings

  • Grade B: Body Fat
  • Grade C: Erectile Function
  • Grade C: Blood Glucose

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Thai Ginseng

Quick Facts: Thai Ginseng

  • Best Evidence:Grade B
  • Conditions Studied:2
  • Research Outcomes:5
  • Grade B Findings:1
  • Key Effect:Body Composition
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B1
C3
D1
2 conditions · 5 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

|
B
Body Fat
Three RCTs consistently demonstrate body fat reduction. A 12-week RCT (n=76) found significant reductions in visceral, subcutaneous, and total abdominal fat area with 150mg/day. A second RCT (n=80) using 12mg purified polymethoxyflavone daily reduced visceral fat significantly at 8 and 12 weeks. A 2025 RCT (n=83 analyzed) confirmed significant reductions in body fat mass, body weight, and BMI compared to placebo.
smallImproves
C
Erectile Function
A small RCT in 45 elderly men (25mg or 90mg daily for 2 months) found significant improvements in erectile response at the higher dose. An open-label pilot study (n=14) reported statistically significant improvements in IIEF erectile function and intercourse satisfaction scores after 30 days of 100mg KaempMax. In vitro studies confirm moderate PDE5 inhibitory activity of polymethoxyflavone constituents, and a 2024 systematic review/meta-analysis supports these findings.
smallImproves
C
Blood Glucose
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 57 studies found that Kaempferia parviflora extract significantly decreased fasting blood glucose in both animal studies (SMD -0.88) and human studies (SMD -0.51, 95% CI -0.98 to -0.05). Effect sizes in humans were modest but statistically significant.
smallImproves
D
Energy Expenditure
A single human study found that acute oral ingestion of Kaempferia parviflora extract significantly increased whole-body energy expenditure (maximal increase of 229 kJ/day at 60 minutes), with a greater response in subjects with high brown adipose tissue activity (351 kJ/day). No effect was seen in subjects with low BAT activity.
smallImproves
C
Physical Performance
Two double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs in athletes show consistent grip strength improvements. In 60 soccer players (180mg/day, 12 weeks), right-hand grip strength was significantly increased. A larger trial in 194 adolescent athletes (360mg/day, 12 weeks) found significant increases in grip strength, back-leg strength, VO2max, and sprint speed, though flexibility and agility were unaffected.
smallImproves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

Research Citations (9)

Kaempferia parviflora Extract (SIRTMAX) reduces body fat in adults who are overweight: a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
(2025)
PMID: 40661686
A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal and human studies demonstrates the beneficial effects of Kaempferia parviflora on metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction
(2024)
PMID: 38194854
Supplementation of Kaempferia parviflora Extract Enhances Physical Fitness and Modulates Parameters of Heart Rate Variability in Adolescent Student-Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study
(2022)
PMID: 33272042
Polymethoxyflavone purified from Kaempferia parviflora reduces visceral fat in Japanese overweight individuals: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
(2021)
PMID: 33475663
Kaempferia parviflora ethanol extract improves self-assessed sexual health in men: a pilot study
(2018)
PMID: 29880257
Daily intake of Kaempferia parviflora extract decreases abdominal fat in overweight and preobese subjects: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study
(2018)
PMID: 30214264
Effect of Kaempferia parviflora Extract on Physical Fitness of Soccer Players: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
(2015)
PMID: 25957542
Kaempferia parviflora extract increases whole-body energy expenditure in humans: roles of brown adipose tissue
(2015)
PMID: 25994142
Kaempferia parviflora, a plant used in traditional medicine to enhance sexual performance contains large amounts of low affinity PDE5 inhibitors
(2011)
PMID: 21884777

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