Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng (unspecified)
For the health condition: Insomnia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ginseng, particularly Asian (Panax ginseng) and American (Panax quinquefolius) varieties, has been used traditionally in East Asian medicine for a wide range of health concerns, including insomnia. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often regards ginseng as an adaptogen that can help balance the body’s energy (“qi”), sometimes using it to address fatigue and, less commonly, sleep disturbances when these are thought to arise from underlying weakness or imbalance. However, the specific use of ginseng for insomnia is less prominent than its use for improving vitality or reducing fatigue. In some traditions, it is believed that ginseng may help calm the mind and improve sleep, especially in cases where insomnia is linked to stress or anxiety.
Scientific evidence for ginseng’s effect on insomnia is limited and mixed. Some small studies have explored ginseng’s influence on sleep architecture, but results are inconsistent, with some suggesting mild improvement in sleep quality and others noting stimulating effects that could worsen insomnia. Overall, neither Asian nor American ginseng is well-supported by rigorous clinical trials as a primary treatment for insomnia. Most modern research focuses on ginseng’s effects on fatigue, cognition, or immune function rather than sleep. Thus, while there is a traditional basis for its use in some contexts, scientific support remains minimal.
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
Other health conditions supported by Ginseng (unspecified)
Addictions (general remedies for)Alzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Anxiety
Arthritis
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Concentration (poor)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestive Heart Failure
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Hypertension
Insomnia
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Parkinson's Disease
Premature Ejaculation
Sex Drive (low)
Stress
Testosterone (low)
Thinking (cloudy)
Tinnitus
Triglycerides (high)
Worry