Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng, Oriental
For the health condition: Insomnia

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Ginseng, Oriental (often referring to Panax ginseng), has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for promoting overall vitality, balancing energy ("Qi"), and occasionally for addressing sleep disturbances such as insomnia. In TCM, ginseng is typically considered an adaptogen that can both invigorate and calm the body, depending on the individual's needs and the herbal formulation used. Traditional texts sometimes recommend ginseng to help restore balance in cases where insomnia is believed to result from deficiency or weakness, particularly when accompanied by fatigue, stress, or poor concentration.

However, the use of ginseng specifically for insomnia is more nuanced, as many TCM practitioners caution that ginseng's stimulating properties could potentially worsen sleep problems in some individuals, especially if used in excess or in the wrong context. Ginseng is more commonly prescribed in formulas intended to support overall health rather than as a primary or direct hypnotic agent.

From a scientific perspective, there is limited and inconclusive evidence supporting ginseng’s effectiveness for treating insomnia. Most clinical studies focus on ginseng’s effects on fatigue, cognitive function, and general well-being rather than sleep quality. Some small studies suggest possible sleep benefits, but results are inconsistent and not robust enough to establish efficacy.

In summary, the use of Oriental Ginseng for insomnia is primarily justified by traditional practices, but scientific validation remains weak and inconsistent.

More about Ginseng, Oriental
More about Insomnia

Other ingredients used for Insomnia

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
heartwood
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
tangerine
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
ganoderma
lotus seed
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
aster root
peach
wood betony
goji berry
soursop
Aralia
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Angelica
Apigenin
Anamu
Albizia
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Agrimonia pilosa
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blackthorn
Balsam
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Banyan
Brahmi
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cactus
Cyathula
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinol
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
David's Milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut

Products containing Ginseng, Oriental

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.