Ginseng, particularly Panax ginseng (often referred to as "Oriental ginseng"), has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine as an adaptogen—a substance believed to help the body resist physical, chemical, and biological stress. While the adrenal cortex is not explicitly mentioned in historical texts, the concept of adaptogens broadly overlaps with modern ideas of adrenal support, namely, buffering the effects of stress and promoting homeostasis. Traditionally, ginseng has been used to combat fatigue, enhance energy, and improve resilience during periods of stress, all of which are associated with adrenal cortex function in contemporary holistic health paradigms.

Scientifically, some studies suggest that ginsenosides (active compounds in Panax ginseng) may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and modulate cortisol levels, but the evidence is inconsistent and often based on animal or in vitro research. Very few well-designed clinical trials specifically evaluate ginseng’s direct effect on adrenal cortex function in humans. Most human studies focus on general fatigue, cognitive function, or immune modulation rather than targeted adrenal support. Therefore, while there are plausible mechanisms and preliminary data, the primary foundation for using Oriental ginseng to support the adrenal cortex remains traditional rather than robustly scientific.