Ginseng's Effect On The Psychological Well-Being Of Healthy, Young Adults - Brief Article

Nutrition Research Newsletter, July, 2001

Dietary supplements are very popular in all parts of the world, with ginseng being one of them. Ginseng supporters suggest it can enhance mental and physical vigor, ease childbirth, and treat inflammatory diseases. However, these claims are primarily derived from "ancient wisdom" and anecdotal evidence rather than well-controlled studies.

The results on ginseng studies are conflicting and not conclusive. However, the majority of ginseng research has examined physiological or psycho-physiological variables, while less attention has been devoted to studying ginseng's effects on psychological factors. Since many of the claims in support of ginseng are directed toward enhancing mental health (improved mood, vigor, and general well-being), two researchers decided to examine whether chronic ginseng supplementation enhances affect or mood.

Eighty-three "healthy" adults participated in this eight-week study and agreed to not substantially alter current physical activity level, to maintain normal dietary practices, and to avoid dietary supplements except those provided by the researchers in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: placebo (lactose), 200 mg ginseng (the clinically recommended levels) or 400 mg ginseng (twice the clinically recommended level). Positive and negative affect were determined from the 20-item Positive Affect-Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Total mood disturbance was measured by the Profile of Mood States inventory (POMS). These measures were obtained pre- and post-intervention.

Ginseng supplementation had no significant effect on positive affect, negative affect, or total mood disturbance. Compared with published norms, study participants had normal psychological profiles for positive affect, negative affect, and total mood disturbance.

The results show that after eight weeks of chronic ginseng supplementation, at either its recommended level or at twice that level, no psychological benefit was observed. The authors claim that the sample size and the duration of the study were significantly larger than previously published studies, but acknowledge that it is possible that an experiment of longer duration may yield different results. Continued research using randomized clinical trials, verified doses of ginseng, and more diverse samples is warranted. If ginseng is found to be an efficacious treatment for certain conditions and within certain populations, but not others, it should be clearly expressed in advertising statements and product marketing information.

Bradley J. Cardinal and Hermann-J. Engels. Ginseng Does Not Enhance Psychological Well-Being in Healthy, Young Adults: Results of a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial, JADA 101(6): 655-660 (June 2001) [Address correspondence to: Bradley J. Cardinal, PhD, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis OR 97331-3303].