Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng
For the health condition: Depression

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Synopsis

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

Ginseng has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Korean medicine, where it is valued as an adaptogen believed to improve overall vitality, resilience to stress, and mood. Historically, ginseng has been used to help with symptoms that may overlap with depression, such as fatigue, lack of energy, and low motivation, although it has not been explicitly prescribed for “depression” as defined by modern psychiatry. Scientific research investigating ginseng's effects on depression is relatively limited but growing. Some preclinical studies and small clinical trials suggest that compounds in ginseng, particularly ginsenosides, may influence neurotransmitter systems (such as serotonin and dopamine) and reduce inflammation, both of which are implicated in depression. However, the number and quality of human trials are modest, and results are often mixed or preliminary. Most clinical guidelines do not currently endorse ginseng as a primary or adjunctive treatment for depressive disorders. In summary, while traditional use supports the idea that ginseng may help with mood and resilience to stress, the scientific evidence remains insufficient to recommend it as a stand-alone or first-line treatment for depression. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to clarify its potential role in mental health care.

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Other ingredients used for Depression

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black tea
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnosine
l-glycine
l-methionine
l-phenylalanine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
moringa
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
phenolic acids
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
butyric acid
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
sceletium
selenium
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
tongkat ali
almond fruit
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
whey protein
zinc
suma
gastrodia
mugwort
alpinia galangal
commiphora
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caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
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dodder
morinda
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
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yerba mate
hypothalamus
cocoa
thyroid substance
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Bee products
bacoside
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Crocin
Clary sage
Catalpol
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese Raisintree
Curcumen
Cymbopogon Martini
Centella asiatica
Chocolate
Creatine
Curcuma
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cola nut
Canscora
Cannabichromene
Docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
DHEA
Devil's Club
Dopamine
Egg
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Estrogen
Glycine
jasmine
Little ironweed
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
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Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sweet Orange alcohol
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walnut
yohimbine
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