Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng
For the body system: Adrenal Medulla

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Synopsis

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

Ginseng (particularly Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius) has a long history of traditional use in East Asian medicine as a general adaptogen, meaning it is believed to help the body adapt to stress and support overall vitality. Traditional systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), have used ginseng for centuries to enhance "qi" (energy) and to strengthen the body's resistance to physical and mental stress. The concept of supporting the adrenal medulla specifically, however, is a modern interpretation based on ginseng's adaptogenic properties and its supposed ability to help regulate stress responses, including those mediated by adrenal hormones like adrenaline. From a scientific perspective, some studies have explored ginseng's effects on stress and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, but direct evidence linking ginseng to specific support of the adrenal medulla (which primarily secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline) is limited. Most studies focus on ginseng's impact on fatigue, immune modulation, or general stress tolerance rather than direct adrenal medulla function. Therefore, the use of ginseng to support the adrenal medulla is justified mainly by traditional use rather than robust scientific validation, and the evidence rating is moderate at best.

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