Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng, Oriental
For the health condition: Menopause
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Oriental Ginseng (Panax ginseng) has a long history of use in traditional Asian medicine, especially in China and Korea, for a variety of health concerns, including symptoms associated with menopause. The rationale in traditional practice is that ginseng is considered an "adaptogen," thought to help the body cope with physical and emotional stressors, and to restore balance, including hormonal balance during menopause. Common menopausal symptoms targeted by ginseng include fatigue, mood changes, insomnia, and hot flashes.
Scientific studies on the effectiveness of Oriental ginseng for menopause are limited and have yielded mixed results. A few small randomized controlled trials have suggested some benefit for mood and general well-being, but evidence for reduction in hot flashes or other core menopausal symptoms is weak or inconsistent. Systematic reviews generally conclude that while ginseng may have some positive effects on quality of life and fatigue, the evidence is not strong or consistent enough to recommend its use as a primary therapy for menopause. Safety is generally good but may interact with other medications.
In summary, while the use of Oriental ginseng for menopause is primarily justified by tradition, and some preliminary scientific evidence exists, robust clinical validation is lacking. Therefore, its use is considered traditional with modest supporting evidence.
Other ingredients used for Menopause
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)alfalfa
aloe vera
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
black cohosh
black currant
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
cordyceps
damiana
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dog rose
dong quai root
eleuthero
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
fish oil
flaxseed
genistein
genistin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
knotweed
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
lignans
maca
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
pollen
pomegranate
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
soybean
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
wild yam
red clover
atractylodes
smilax
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
lingzhi
root tuber
dioscorea
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
anemarrhena asphodeloides
barrenwort
goji berry
amaranth
soy isoflavones
27-deoxyactein
8-Prenylnaringenin
akebia
Antler
Achyranthes
Alchemilla
Agrimonia pilosa
Agnuside
Ashoka
Anemarrhena
Atractylone
Black Seed
Banyan
Bioflavonoids
Black root
Chinese Silkvine
Cohosh
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cynomorium
Crinum latifolium
DHEA
Danshen
Daidzein
Durian
Dong Quai
Elk antler
Evening Primrose
Isoflavones
Lotus
Prickly Pear Cactus
Rose
Rhubarb
Soy Protein
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Ginseng, Oriental
Addictions (general remedies for)Adrenal Fatigue
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Backache
Body Building
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Colds (general)
Concentration (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convalescence
Debility
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Mood Swings
Sex Drive (low)
Stress
Strokes
Wrinkles