Panax ginseng · Panax ginseng (Korean/Asian ginseng)
A classic adaptogenic root containing ginsenosides, studied in multiple human trials for cognitive performance in aging and mild cognitive impairment.
Short answer
Panax ginseng (Panax ginseng (Korean/Asian ginseng)) is a adaptogen / cognitive aging support with evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. We track 0 produkter containing Panax ginseng. The top-ranked product scores 0 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $0.00 per månad.
What it is
Panax ginseng is a slow-growing root native to East Asia, one of the most widely used adaptogenic herbs globally, containing a family of active compounds called ginsenosides.
Why people take it
Cognitive decline is a major dimension of aging, and ginseng has one of the more substantial human evidence bases among adaptogens for cognitive outcomes specifically, including in people already showing cognitive impairment.
Our verdict
There's real human RCT and open-label evidence for modest cognitive benefits in Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment patients, but a Cochrane review found the trial base heterogeneous with mixed quality, and effects seem to fade after stopping supplementation — suggesting symptomatic rather than disease-modifying benefit.
Structure & class
Ginsenosides (e.g., Rb1, Rg1, Rg3) are the primär studied bioactive triterpene saponins, with total ginsenoside content varying by root age, species, and processing (white vs. red ginseng).
Mechanism & clinical data
An open-label trial (Lee et al. 2008, Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord; NCT00391833) gave 97 Alzheimer's patients 4.5 g/day ginseng powder for 12 weeks, showing improved MMSE and ADAS-cog scores, with the effect reversing after discontinuation, suggesting a symptomatic rather than disease-modifying mechanism. A separate RCT (Park et al. 2019) in 90 subjects with mild cognitive impairment used 3 g/day for 6 months and found improved delayed recall on the Rey Complex Figure Test. A Cochrane review of 9 RCTs found heterogeneous quality but some consistent signal for cognitive/behavioral improvement without serious adverse events.
Pharmacokinetics
Ginsenoside pharmacokinetics vary widely by compound; major ginsenosides undergo significant gut-microbiota metabolism to secondary metabolites (e.g., compound K), with typical elimination half-lives in the range of several hours, though effects in trials are assessed after weeks-to-months of continuous dosing.
Dose & forms
What to watch out for
Can cause insomnia or overstimulation in sensitive individuals, especially taken late in the day; potential interaction with blood thinners (warfarin) and diabetes medications (additive glucose-lowering effect); produkter vary widely in ginsenoside standardization.
Where this dose comes from
The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.
When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.
Regelverk status
Timeline
Regelverk events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Panax ginseng, most recent first. Every entry links to its primär source.
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EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claimsA Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in april 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
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EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risksThe HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
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Lee ST, et al. (2008). Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. PMID 18580589.Lee ST, et al. (2008). Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. PMID 18580589.
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EU Health Claims Regulation adoptedRegulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
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EU introduces the Novel Food RegulationRegulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 maj 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
Landmark studies
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Lee ST, et al. (2008). Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. PMID 18580589.
Lee ST, et al. (2008). Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. PMID 18580589.
Läs studie →
Found in these produkter
Alla produkter in our catalog that contain Panax ginseng, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.
No produkter in our catalog contain this yet.
Buying guides and comparisons
Related ingredients
Se alla in Adaptogen / Cognitive aging support →Molekyler in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Panax ginseng in our catalogue.
Nothing else in the database sits close enough to this molecule to list.
Frequently asked questions
What is Panax ginseng?
Panax ginseng is a slow-growing root native to East Asia, one of the most widely used adaptogenic herbs globally, containing a family of active compounds called ginsenosides.
What dose of Panax ginseng should I take?
The trial dose in published human studies is 4500 mg per dag, with a range of 3000 to 4500 mg per dag. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.
Is Panax ginseng safe?
Can cause insomnia or overstimulation in sensitive individuals, especially taken late in the day; potential interaction with blood thinners (warfarin) and diabetes medications (additive glucose-lowering effect); produkter vary widely in ginsenoside standardization.
What is the best Panax ginseng supplement?
We track 0 produkter containing Panax ginseng. The top-ranked product scores 0 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.
What is the evidence grade for Panax ginseng?
Panax ginseng has evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.
Data verification
Bevisning grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new produkter are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.