Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng
For the health condition: Cholesterol (high)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ginseng has been explored for its potential effects on cholesterol levels, with both traditional and scientific interest. Traditionally, ginseng has been used in East Asian medicine for a variety of health conditions, including promoting general cardiovascular health. In recent decades, scientific studies—primarily using Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng) and Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng)—have examined its impact on lipid profiles. Some randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have reported modest reductions in total cholesterol, LDL ("bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides with ginseng supplementation, while others have shown little to no effect.
Mechanistically, ginsenosides (the active compounds in ginseng) may influence hepatic cholesterol metabolism, reduce intestinal absorption of cholesterol, and improve antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status, which collectively could have favorable effects on lipid profiles. However, the overall quality and size of existing studies are limited, with variable formulations, dosages, and durations making direct comparisons difficult. Systematic reviews generally conclude that the lipid-lowering effect of ginseng is small and not always statistically significant.
In summary, while there is some scientific evidence suggesting ginseng may help lower cholesterol, the effect appears modest and inconsistent. Ginseng should not be relied upon as a primary therapy for high cholesterol, but may be considered as a complementary approach alongside established treatments, pending medical supervision.
Other ingredients used for Cholesterol (high)
acai berryajoene
akkermansia muciniphila
alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
arjun tree
artichoke
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barberry
barley
basil
beet
berberine
bergamot
berry flavor
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
radish
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bonito peptide
broccoli
rice
brussel sprouts
burdock
bасора
calamari oil
campesterol
canola oil
carrot
cassia bark
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
celery
champignon
chia seed
chicory
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus pectin
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cottonseed oil
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gamma oryzanol
garcinia
garlic bulb
genistein
genistin
ginger
ginseng
glucomannan
gooseberry
grape
grapefruit
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guar gum
guggul
gurmar
hawthorn
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
inulin
knotweed
jujube
kale
krill oil
kudzu
l-carnitine
l-taurine
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lecithin
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
maitake mushroom
mango
maqui berry
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
mustard seed
naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oat
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
orange
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
pantethine
pear
pectin
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytosterols
pine bark
plant sterols
plum fruit
policosanol
pollen
pomegranate
pomelo
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
quercetin
quinoa
raspberry
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
rutin
rye
safflower oil
sardines
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
sitostanol
soybean
spinach
spirulina
sterols
stevia
stigmasterol
strawberry
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
seaweed
wasabia japonica
water
watermelon
wheat grass
whey protein
mulberry
xylooligosaccharides
yeast
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
red clover
jiaogulan
tangerine
atractylodes
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
pterocarpus marsupium
alpinia galangal
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
caesalpinia crista
swertia
bee pollen
lingzhi
morus
lemongrass
sunflower
root tuber
ferulic acid
dioscorea
ganoderma
morinda
zanthoxylum
birch
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
polyphenols
purslane
yerba mate
wheat germ
noni
nopal
goji berry
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
kidney beans
cocoa
chickpea protein
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
Alcohol
Arjuna
Apple Cider Vinegar
Ankaflavin
Angelica
acacia
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Andrographolide
Avocado
Aspergillus
Ascophyllum nodosum
Aegeline
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Adzuki bean
Ampelopsin
Alpha phytosterol
Algal protein
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
Arabinoxylan
Argan nut oil
Allium tuberosum
alpha Methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Brutieridin
Breadnut
Brown Algae
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Bran
Black galingale
Berberis (unspecified)
Bitter Grass
Baicalein
Bael
Bean
biochanin
Basidiomycota
Bauhinia
Brazil nut
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Bacteria
Blue-Green Alage
Baobab
Bifidobacteria
bile acid
Bacillus
bacoside
Buckwheat
Bassia scoparia
Bignay
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Chia seed
Cumin
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Charantin
Curry leaf
Cowpea
California chia
Cardarine
Cinnamomum
Chitosan
Cyanobacteria
Carqueja
Cloudberry
Capsinoids
Chebulic acid
Camelina Oil
Cod Liver Oil
Coriander
Cactus
Campestanol
Capillary Artemisia
Cashew
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Chinese Fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cynarin
Cereal grass
Cruciferous
Cyclanthera pedata
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Curcumen
Chordaria cladosiphon
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Carob
Cabbage
Chitin
Clostridium butyricum
Cinnamaldehyde
Crocetin
Costus
Crypthecodinium
Carnosic acid
Diacylglycerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Dunaliella
Dextrin
Dumontiaceae
Daidzein
Dragon Fruit
Date
Diterpenes
Eriocitrin
eggplant
Emblicanin
Endive
Erythrodiol
Eucheuma
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Euglena gracilis
Eucommia ulmoides
Echium
Ecklonia
Enokitake
Fig
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Flammulina velutipes
Garlic
Isoflavones
Lotus
Milk Protein
Prickly Pear Cactus
peanut
Pistachio
Quinoa Protein
Rhubarb
Soy Protein
Sumac
Vinegar
walnut
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by ginseng
Abdominal PainAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (coffee, caffeine)
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Adrenal Fatigue
Afterbirth Pain
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Appetite (deficient)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Body Building
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Concentration (poor)
Congestive Heart Failure
Constipation (adults)
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Emphysema
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hangover
Headache (general)
Heart (weakness)
Premature Ejaculation
Sex Drive (low)
Products containing ginseng
Vitabase
Active Man's Formula
Pure Encapsulations
ADR Formula®
Pure Encapsulations
ADR Formula®
Douglas Laboratories
AdrenoMend™
Designs For Health
Adrenotone™
Designs For Health
Adrenotone™
Metagenics
Adreset
Metagenics
Adreset
Designs For Health
CogniAid™
Designs For Health
EndoTrim™
Thorne
Ginseng Plus
Pure Encapsulations
Glucose Support Formula
Pure Encapsulations
Glucose Support Formula
Designs For Health
GlucoSupreme™ Herbal
Designs For Health
Kidney Korrect™
Designs For Health
LibidoStim-F™
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Pure Encapsulations
Panax Ginseng
Designs For Health
Senolytic Synergy
Metagenics
Serenagen®
Metagenics
Serenagen
Thorne
Stress Balance Phytisone
Douglas Laboratories
TestoGain™
Douglas Laboratories
TestoGain™
Integrative Therapeutics
Testosterone Formula
Designs For Health
Thyroid Synergy™
Designs For Health
Weight Loss Support Packets