Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng, Panax
For the health condition: Heart (weakness)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ginseng, specifically Panax ginseng, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for enhancing vitality and treating what was often described as “heart qi deficiency,” which can be loosely interpreted as heart weakness or lack of energy in the cardiovascular system. Ancient texts and oral traditions commonly prescribed ginseng for symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and palpitations—symptoms that could relate to cardiac insufficiency.
Modern scientific studies provide limited and mixed results regarding Panax ginseng’s direct benefit for heart weakness or heart failure. Some animal and small human studies suggest that ginsenosides (active compounds in ginseng) may have beneficial effects on blood pressure, endothelial function, and anti-inflammatory properties, which could theoretically support heart health. However, robust clinical trials specifically targeting heart weakness or heart failure are lacking, and most evidence is either anecdotal or derived from broader studies on cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, cholesterol).
Therefore, the primary justification for using Panax ginseng to support or treat heart weakness is traditional, with some preliminary but inconclusive scientific findings. The overall quality and quantity of evidence supporting its use for this specific condition is modest, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5.
Other ingredients used for Heart (weakness)
amino acidsapple
apricot
ashwagandha
beet
berry flavor
bilberry
black cumin
bovine
bovine heart
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
forskohlii root
ginseng
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
iron
knotweed
jujube
kale
l-carnitine
l-taurine
licorice root
magnesium
marine lipid
milk
moringa
motherwort
omega-3 fatty acids
pear
protein
reishi mushroom
safflower oil
spirulina
tomato
almond fruit
ubiquinol
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
seaweed
zinc
suma
tangerine
inula racemosa
commiphora
bee pollen
peony
morus
root tuber
purslane
aster root
paw paw
Arjuna
Arginine Creatine
Ambergris
Angelica
Allicin
Arginine malate
Arginine orotate
Aconite
Ajuga
Avocado
anthocyanidins
Arjunic Acid
Abalone
Amor seco
Black Seed
Bayleaf
Beef liver
Borassus Palm
banana
bacoside
Bassia scoparia
Cocarboxylase
Cod Liver Oil
Catecholamine
D-Ribose
Digitalis
Flavonones
fibroblast growth factor
Lotus
peanut
Squash
walnut
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Ginseng, Panax
Addictions (general remedies for)Adrenal Fatigue
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Concentration (poor)
Convalescence
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Hair (loss or thinning)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Parkinson's Disease
Sex Drive (low)
Stress
Weight Loss