Panax Ginseng (Asian Ginseng)
Summary
Panax ginseng is the Asian ginseng root, rich in ginsenosides. Pooled trials show a small drop in fasting blood sugar (grade B) and no effect on blood pressure. Effects on fatigue are small and inconsistent, the effect on erectile function was judged trivial, and cognition evidence is unconvincing. Insomnia is the most common side effect, and it speeds up some drug metabolism.
Key facts
- The root of Panax ginseng; red and white ginseng are two ways of preparing it. Ginsenosides are thought to be the key compounds[8]
- 16 trials: fasting glucose −0.31 mmol/L versus control (genus Panax, with and without diabetes)[1]
- 17 trials (1,381 people): no significant effect on systolic or diastolic pressure[2]
- 9 trials (587 men): improvement judged trivial against the minimal important difference[3]
- A Cochrane review found no convincing evidence that Panax ginseng improves cognition in healthy people[4]
- 500 mg twice a day for 28 days lowered midazolam levels by about a third, a sign of CYP3A induction[7]
- 5 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedGinsenosides are thought to be the main active compounds, and ginseng is described as an adaptogen (thought to help the body resist stress), but how it works in people is not established. In people, Panax ginseng does induce the drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP3A.[7][8]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
At a glance: strongest evidence per outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Effect | Strongest evidence | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood sugar | Grade B | Improved | Meta-analysis of 16 trials · n = 770 · 2014 | 1 row |
| Fatigue | Grade C | Mixed | Meta-analysis of 19 trials · n = 2,413 · 2023 | 2 rows |
| Sexual function | Grade C | Improved | Systematic review of 9 trials · n = 587 · 2021 | 1 row |
| Blood pressure | No effect | No effect | Meta-analysis of 17 trials · n = 1,381 · 2016 | 1 row |
Every graded row
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting blood glucose | Improved | Grade B | Meta-analysis · n = 770 · 2014 Adults with and without diabetes Form: Ginseng (genus Panax, several species and preparations) · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: At least 30 days Fasting glucose −0.31 mmol/L versus control. | 25265315 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
| Fatigue severity | Mixed | Grade C | Meta-analysis · n = 2,413 · 2023 Adults with general, chronic or disease-related fatigue Form: Ginseng or ginseng herbal formulas · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: Varied across trials Overall no significant reduction (SMD −0.36); ginseng reduced general fatigue (SMD −0.48) and formulas helped chronic fatigue; effect sizes small. | 36730693 (opens PubMed)Source [5] |
| Erectile function (IIEF) | Improved | Grade C | Systematic review · n = 587 · 2021 Men aged 20–70 with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction Form: Ginseng (various) · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: Up to 12 weeks IIEF-5 +2.39 points versus placebo (moderate certainty), below the 5-point minimal important difference; judged a trivial effect. Adverse events similar. | 33871063 (opens PubMed)Source [3] |
| Cancer-related fatigue | No effect | Grade C | RCT · n = 112 · 2017 Adults with advanced cancer and moderate fatigue Form: Standardized Panax ginseng extract · Dose: 400 mg twice a day · Duration: 28 days Fatigue improved equally with ginseng and placebo (7.5 vs 6.5 points, not significant); fewer side effects with ginseng. | 28874596 (opens PubMed)Source [6] |
| Blood pressure | No effect | No effect | Meta-analysis · n = 1,381 · 2016 Adults with and without cardiometabolic conditions Form: Ginseng (genus Panax) · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: At least 4 weeks No significant effect on systolic, diastolic or mean arterial pressure. | 27074879 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standardized root extract (ginsenoside content stated) | Varies[6] | No head-to-head absorption data in our sources.[6] | Fewer side effects than placebo at 400 mg twice a day for 28 days; insomnia is the most common side effect reported overall.[6][8] | Fatigue, blood sugar, erectile function |
| Red ginseng (steamed and dried root) | Varies[8] | No head-to-head absorption data in our sources.[8] | See general safety notes; insomnia most common.[8] | Fatigue, erectile function (various trials) |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 400 mg twice a day of standardized extract (cancer fatigue) to 500 mg twice a day (drug-interaction study), each for about 4 weeks; pooled reviews mixed many doses and preparations.[6][7]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
Medicines
- CYP3A substrates (e.g. midazolam)PK study500 mg twice a day for 28 days lowered midazolam exposure (AUC) by about 34%, consistent with CYP3A induction; fexofenadine (P-gp) was unchanged.[7]
- Diabetes medicinesNIH fact sheetGinseng may lower blood sugar; NCCIH advises people with diabetes to check with their clinician before use.[1][8]
- Anticoagulants and blood thinnersNIH fact sheetNCCIH notes Asian ginseng may interfere with blood clotting.[8]
Who should be careful
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Some studies suggest it may be unsafe in pregnancy (a ginseng compound caused birth defects in animals); little is known about breastfeeding.[8]
- Children and infants
- Some experts recommend against use in infants and children.[8]
- Autoimmune disease or bleeding risk
- Asian ginseng may worsen autoimmune disorders and interfere with blood clotting.[8]
- Trouble sleeping
- Insomnia is the most common side effect.[8]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Panax Ginseng (Asian Ginseng)
Products from brands we partner with that contain Panax Ginseng (Asian Ginseng). Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkSuper Ginseng4 capsules: 2,000 mg Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer root extract standardized to 30% ginsenosides; 15 servings per 60 capsules. More than the 800–1,000 mg of extract a day used in the single-product trials we cite.Shop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
Partner links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Get 15% off with SMART026 (opens in new tab)15% off with code SMART026
Partner links may earn us a commission. Learn more
- Supersmart’s own terms and exclusions apply at checkout.
- 20% applies when 3 or more products ship on auto-delivery to the same address.
- The code discount and Subscribe & Save are separate offers; we don’t claim they combine.
- Offer terms from Supersmart’s site and its affiliate program, checked Oct 8, 2026. Offers can change; the brand's checkout is final.
Frequently asked questions
Is Panax ginseng the same as American ginseng?
No. Panax ginseng is Asian (Korean) ginseng; American ginseng is a different Panax species. Some reviews pool them together.[1][8]
Does ginseng give you energy?
Pooled trials show small, inconsistent effects on fatigue, and a trial in cancer-related fatigue found no difference from placebo.[5][6]
Does ginseng help erectile dysfunction?
A Cochrane review found a small improvement judged trivial in size, from short trials of up to 12 weeks.[3]
Does ginseng raise blood pressure?
A pooled analysis of 17 trials found no significant effect on blood pressure.[2]
What are the side effects?
Insomnia is most common; rare reports include severe rash, liver damage and allergic reactions.[8]
Sources
- [1]The effect of ginseng (the genus panax) on glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.. PLoS One, 2014. meta-analysis
- [2]The effect of ginseng (genus Panax) on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.. J Hum Hypertens, 2016. meta-analysis
- [3]Ginseng for erectile dysfunction.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2021. systematic-review
- [4]Ginseng for cognition.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2010. systematic-review
- [5]Ginseng and Ginseng Herbal Formulas for Symptomatic Management of Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. J Integr Complement Med, 2023. meta-analysis
- [6]A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Panax Ginseng for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Advanced Cancer.. J Natl Compr Canc Netw, 2017. RCT
- [7]Influence of Panax ginseng on cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in healthy participants.. J Clin Pharmacol, 2012. PK-study
- [8]Asian Ginseng: Usefulness and Safety. NCCIH, 2025. fact-sheet
What changed
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, year and journal taken from the PubMed record) and abstracts read for each cited row. Product details in Where to buy read from the brand page on the date shown. NCCIH fact sheet (last updated February 2025) read on 2026-10-11. Self-reviewed in a second strict pass, then checked by an independent adversarial fact-check against the PubMed abstracts and live product pages. No credentialed medical reviewer yet.