Ginseng Review

What is Ginseng?

Ginseng is a plant whose roots are used for benefits such as improving the immune system, lowering blood sugar, increasing overall well-being, and enhancing physical and mental performance. The berries of this plant have also been studied for health benefits. The major active ingredients are ginsenosides.

Ginseng in dietary supplements can be tricky to identify because of its almost endless variations.  The most common forms are Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius L.) (Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-ginseng.html). Siberian ginseng does not have the ginsenosides that are thought to be beneficial in the other forms.

Clinical Research

Evidence for ginseng contributing to weight loss is difficult to summarize because of its many variations and range of quality. Studies for ginseng helping with weight loss have been inconclusive according to the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-ginseng.html).

  • One study showed that ginseng berry extract decreased blood glucose and body weight in mice. The mice received 12 daily injections of the ginseng in doses of 150 mg/kg of body weight. Mice treated with the extract showed a weight loss of about 9 grams over the 12 day period (Source: Phytomedicine, 2002, 9(3), 254-258).
  • A second study showed that the active ingredient in ginseng root administered at 10mg/kg body weight reduced body weight and total food intake in male rats (Source: Appetite, 2007, 49(1), 303).
  • No studies showing direct effects of ginseng on weight loss in humans could be found, although studies do exist showing that ginseng may affect carbohydrate metabolism (Source: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20041101/1731.html).

Conclusion

Ginseng may have some health benefits, but it is too early to say that one of them is weight loss.  This claim also cannot be made since research on humans is lacking that shows any effect on weight loss. Also, effects have not been shown when ginseng is administered orally and this would be the common form for dietary supplements.