Herb library · Herb · Panax ginseng
Asian ginseng
The root of a Korean and northeastern Chinese plant, sold for stress, focus, fatigue and blood sugar. Most trials are small and short; some hint at modest effects on thinking, fatigue and erectile function, and most find no help for athletic performance.
Traditional use
Native to Korea, northeastern China and far-eastern Siberia, Asian ginseng has been used as a calming agent in traditional Chinese medicine and as an adaptogen, a herb thought to help the body resist stress. "Red" and "white" ginseng are the same root prepared two different ways. Today it is promoted for stress, thinking and memory, flu, fatigue, athletic performance, diabetes, aging, asthma and anxiety.
What studies show
- Limited
Thinking and attention: a small amount of research suggests it may improve some measures of thinking, attention and reaction time in middle-aged adults, but not in young adults. Any memory benefit seemed to depend on adding ginkgo.
- Limited
Fatigue: a 2023 review of 19 studies suggested a small benefit for general fatigue from ginseng alone, but not all research agrees.
- Limited
Blood sugar: a 2022 review found improvements in fasting blood sugar and cholesterol in people with prediabetes and diabetes, but research on blood sugar control is, overall, inconclusive and conflicting.
- Limited
Erectile dysfunction: some research shows oral Asian ginseng seems to improve sexual function in people with ED.
- Limited
Flu: a very small amount of preliminary research suggests it may lower the chance of getting the flu, but not how bad it is or how long it lasts.
- Limited· shows no benefit
Athletic performance: the majority of research shows it does not improve athletic performance.
- Insufficient
Aging, asthma, anxiety and other conditions: there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it helps.
Be careful of
Cautions
- NoteShort-term use by mouth (up to 6 months) in recommended amounts appears safe for most people; its long-term safety has been questioned. Trouble sleeping is the most common side effect. Uncommon reports include severe rash, liver damage and severe allergic reactions.
- ConditionIt may worsen autoimmune disorders, interfere with blood clotting, and lower blood sugar. If you have diabetes, ask your clinician first.
- InteractionIt might interact with certain medications.
- PregnancySome studies suggest it may be unsafe during pregnancy (one of its chemicals caused birth defects in animals), and some experts recommend against it for infants, children, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.
From the old books
What herbals and dispensaries of the past printed. History, in their words.
“The genuine Chinese ginseng is the root of Aralia Ginseng, A. Meyer (Panax Ginseng, Nees), an east Asia plant. Altogether, 5 commercial grades of ginseng are distinguished in China. It is often adulterated by mixing it with the root of some species of Convolvulus and other roots.”
Sources
- Asian Ginseng: Usefulness and Safety (opens in a new tab) · NCCIH · read September 25, 2026
Reviewed September 25, 2026.