Ginseng for Health Care: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials in Korean Literature

In 2013, a systematic review of 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from Korean literature investigated the efficacy and safety of ginseng across various health conditions, including exercise capacity, cognitive performance, and erectile dysfunction, among others. The review included studies with sample sizes ranging from 10 to 160 participants and ginseng dosages from 400 mg to 6000 mg per day. While some studies reported positive effects, such as improved erectile function and immune modulation post-surgery, the overall evidence was mixed, with many studies not showing significant results. The methodological quality of the studies was generally poor, with a high risk of bias, and adverse events were underreported. The review concluded that more rigorous trials are needed to establish the clinical efficacy of ginseng, despite it being generally safe with no serious adverse effects reported.