Oriental Ginseng, particularly Panax ginseng, has a long history of traditional use in East Asian medicine for promoting vitality and physical performance. In recent decades, scientific interest has grown regarding its potential benefits for body building, especially due to its purported adaptogenic and ergogenic effects. Several small-scale clinical studies and animal experiments suggest that ginseng supplementation may enhance exercise performance, reduce fatigue, and support muscle recovery, largely attributed to its ginsenosides content. Some research has indicated modest improvements in aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and antioxidant status in athletes and recreational exercisers consuming ginseng extracts.

However, the overall quality and size of these studies are limited, and results are inconsistent. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses note that while there is some evidence for beneficial effects, it remains preliminary, with many trials suffering from methodological weaknesses or small sample sizes. As such, while the use of ginseng for body building has some scientific backing, it is not robustly validated, and benefits are likely to be modest at best. Most authoritative bodies consider the current evidence insufficient to make strong recommendations for ginseng as an effective ergogenic aid in body building. Therefore, its use is best described as having preliminary scientific support that requires further high-quality research.