Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng
For the health condition: Anxiety

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ginseng, particularly Panax ginseng, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine as a tonic to enhance vitality and help the body adapt to stress. Its use for anxiety is primarily based on this traditional context, where ginseng is believed to balance the body’s systems and promote resilience to psychological and physical stressors. The herb is considered an “adaptogen,” a term used for substances thought to help the body cope with stress and restore normal physiological function.

While preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) suggest that ginsenosides, the active compounds in ginseng, might modulate neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin—both relevant in anxiety regulation—there is limited direct clinical evidence in humans to confirm its efficacy for anxiety. A few small clinical trials have reported improvements in mood and fatigue, but anxiety-specific outcomes are rarely the primary focus, and results are inconsistent. Systematic reviews generally conclude that human evidence is lacking or too limited to draw firm conclusions.

In summary, ginseng’s use for anxiety is rooted in traditional medicine, with some weak supportive evidence from preclinical studies and anecdotal reports, but robust, high-quality clinical trials are lacking. Therefore, its role in anxiety management remains primarily traditional rather than scientifically validated.

More about ginseng
More about Anxiety

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Agarwood
Agastache
Agmatine
Agrimony
Albizia
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alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
amino acids
Amor seco
anamu
Anemone
aniracetam
anise
apigenin
Ardisia
ash
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
bacteria
baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
basil
bayleaf
bee products
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
betony
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Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black seed
blackboard tree
Bombax
borneol
brahmi
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
calamus
Calea zacatechichi
California poppy
Camellia sinensis
cannabidiol
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
Canscora
capillary artemisia
Capitate Valerian
cardamom
caryophyllene
catnip
catuaba
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
chrysanthemum
Cinnamomum
citron
Clary sage
Clerodendrum indicum
Clostridium butyricum
clove
cocoa
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
cowslip
Curcuma
curcumin
Cymbopogon martini
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dragonhead
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Erythrina
essential oil blend
eugenol
fatty acids
fennel
Ficus religiosa
fragrant rosewood
fungus
ganoderma
gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides
gastrodia
gastrodin
Gelsemium
geranium
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glycine
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
guayusa
heal-all
hemp
hemp oil
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
hericium mushroom
honeybush
Honokiol
hops
hyperforin
Hypericum
Hyperoside
Ilex
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inositol
iridoids
isoliquiritigenin
jasmine
Jatamansi
jujube
jujubosides
kanna
kava
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Kefir
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Lactobacillus johnsonii
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Lavandin
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lemon balm
lemongrass
ligustilides
limonene
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lingzhi
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Litsea
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Lycopodium
maca
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Myrcene
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Nutmeg
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
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oolong tea
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Osmanthus
Oxindole alkaloids
paeoniflorin
passionflower
Passionfruit
Patchouli oil
peony
Petiveria
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Phenylpropanoids
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
Plectranthus amboinicus
Polygala
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poppy
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