TLDR Panax ginseng is generally safe with mild side effects and may have health benefits, but more research is needed.
The systematic review from 2015 analyzed the safety of Panax ginseng through 44 randomized clinical trials involving 3,092 participants over the past 10 years. The trials, which varied in dosage and duration, assessed ginseng's effects on health conditions such as cardiovascular function, glucose metabolism, sexual function, and hair density. While 29 studies reported positive effects, 15 found no significant impact. Adverse events were generally mild and included symptoms like hot flushes, insomnia, and dyspepsia, with no serious or severe adverse events reported. The review concluded that Panax ginseng appears to be safe, with potential health benefits, but emphasized the need for larger, higher-quality clinical trials to confirm its efficacy and safety. Additionally, the review noted the possibility of drug interactions, particularly with warfarin, suggesting caution in patients on certain medications.
95 citations,
April 2013 in “PLOS ONE” Ginseng is possibly safe but its effectiveness is unclear due to poor quality studies and mixed results.
25 citations,
September 2009 in “Journal of Ginseng Research” Korean red ginseng can significantly increase hair density and thickness in people with androgenic alopecia.
July 2021 in “IntechOpen eBooks” Ginseng, especially its component ginsenosides, can promote hair growth, reduce hair loss, and potentially treat conditions like alopecia by affecting cell pathways and cytokines.
41 citations,
September 2011 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” Panax ginseng extract helps mice grow hair.
September 2013 in “Daehan hwajangpum hakoeji/Daehan hwa'jangpum haghoeji” Shampoo with ginseng helped improve hair thickness, density, growth, and reduced hair loss.
1 citations,
December 2016 in “Trichology and cosmetology:” Panax ginseng might help with hair growth and has fewer side effects than synthetic treatments.
14 citations,
January 2014 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Minoxidil with Korean red ginseng improves hair density and thickness more than minoxidil alone.
67 citations,
May 2018 in “Journal of Ginseng Research” Red ginseng may improve immunity, fatigue, memory, blood circulation, and menopausal symptoms, and is generally safe to consume.
