American Ginseng
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 640 participants, researched for Blood Sugar Regulation, Cognitive Function, Immune Support.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Blood Sugar Regulation
StrongCognitive Function
ModerateImmune Support
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Blood Sugar Regulation
To assess American ginseng on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes
Study Type
Randomised double-blind crossover trial
Purpose
To assess American ginseng on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes
Dose
2 g/day
Participants
64 type 2 diabetic patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
American ginseng significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and HbA1c vs placebo. No adverse cardiovascular effects. PMID: 29478187
How They Measured It
Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, lipids
To test long-term safety of American ginseng in type 2 diabetes
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To test long-term safety of American ginseng in type 2 diabetes
Dose
3 g/day
Participants
96 type 2 diabetic patients
Duration
2 years
Results
American ginseng was safe long-term and showed sustained HbA1c improvements without negative effects on liver, kidney, or immune function. PMCID: PMC4033486
How They Measured It
HbA1c, fasting glucose, safety markers
To assess American ginseng on postprandial glycemia in healthy and diabetic subjects
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess American ginseng on postprandial glycemia in healthy and diabetic subjects
Dose
3 g taken 40 minutes before oral glucose
Participants
60 subjects (30 healthy, 30 type 2 diabetic)
Duration
Acute single dose
Results
American ginseng significantly reduced postprandial glycemia in both healthy subjects and type 2 diabetics regardless of timing relative to meal. PMID: 11035687
How They Measured It
Postprandial blood glucose, AUC
To meta-analyze ginseng species effects on fasting blood glucose across RCTs
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To meta-analyze ginseng species effects on fasting blood glucose across RCTs
Dose
Various
Participants
16 RCTs pooled
Duration
Various
Results
Ginseng supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (-0.31 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.59 to -0.03, p=0.03) across 16 RCTs. PMCID: PMC6943541
How They Measured It
Fasting blood glucose, meta-analytic pooling
Cognitive Function
To assess acute neurocognitive effects of American ginseng (Cereboost)
Study Type
Randomised double-blind crossover trial
Purpose
To assess acute neurocognitive effects of American ginseng (Cereboost)
Dose
100, 200, 400 mg
Participants
32 healthy young adults
Duration
Acute single dose
Results
American ginseng (Cereboost) significantly improved working memory accuracy at 100 mg. Dose-dependent effects on attention observed. PMID: 20676609
How They Measured It
Cognitive battery, mood, attention measures
To review ginseng pleiotropic beneficial effects on multiple organ systems
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review ginseng pleiotropic beneficial effects on multiple organ systems
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Panax ginseng exhibits pleiotropic beneficial effects on cardiovascular, central nervous, and immune systems. Ginsenosides identified as key bioactive compounds. PMCID: PMC3659569
How They Measured It
Systematic literature review
Immune Support
To test American ginseng (COLD-fX) for upper respiratory infection prevention
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To test American ginseng (COLD-fX) for upper respiratory infection prevention
Dose
400 mg/day
Participants
279 healthy adults
Duration
4 months cold season
Results
American ginseng significantly reduced mean number of colds per person (0.68 vs 0.93, p=0.04) and reduced duration and severity. PMID: 15857944
How They Measured It
Cold incidence, duration, severity
To assess American ginseng on immune response post-influenza vaccination in elderly
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess American ginseng on immune response post-influenza vaccination in elderly
Dose
800 mg/day
Participants
60 adults over 65
Duration
4 months
Results
American ginseng significantly enhanced NK cell function and antibody titers after influenza vaccination in older adults. PMID: 16552436
How They Measured It
NK cell activity, cytokine profile, antibody titre
To investigate American ginseng polysaccharides on immune cell activation
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate American ginseng polysaccharides on immune cell activation
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
C57BL/6 mice
Duration
2 weeks
Results
American ginseng polysaccharides significantly stimulated macrophage activity, NK cell cytotoxicity, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. PMID: 18655775
How They Measured It
Macrophage activation, cytokines, NK cell cytotoxicity
To test American ginseng on cold and flu in institutionalised elderly
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To test American ginseng on cold and flu in institutionalised elderly
Dose
400 mg/day
Participants
198 institutionalised elderly
Duration
8 weeks
Results
American ginseng group had significantly fewer respiratory illness episodes and hospitalizations compared to placebo during influenza season. PMID: 16710080
How They Measured It
Cold and flu incidence, hospitalization rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about American Ginseng research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), involving 640 total participants. Research covers Blood sugar regulation, Cognitive function, Immune support. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (9 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
American Ginseng has been researched for: Blood sugar regulation, Cognitive function, Immune support. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 9 out of 10 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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