Synopsis

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

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has a long history of traditional use among Native American communities and later in Western herbal medicine, often as a general tonic for vitality and mental clarity. The concept of "cloudy thinking" or "mental fog" is not a formal medical diagnosis, but traditional use of American ginseng includes support for cognitive function and mental energy.

Scientific research into American ginseng's effects on cognition is limited but growing. A few small, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have investigated its acute effects on cognitive performance in healthy adults. Some findings suggest that American ginseng may improve certain aspects of working memory, reaction time, and calmness, but these effects are generally mild and not consistently replicated across studies. For example, Kennedy et al. (2001, 2005) observed modest improvements in cognitive performance following a single dose. However, these studies used relatively small sample sizes and short-term interventions.

Systematic reviews note that while there is preliminary evidence suggesting a possible cognitive benefit, the overall quality and quantity of evidence is low, and larger, longer-term studies are needed. Therefore, its use for "cloudy thinking" is primarily justified by traditional practices, with only weak scientific support at present.

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