Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng, Panax
For the body system: Specific Hormones
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Panax ginseng has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in East Asia, as an adaptogen and general tonic. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often recommends Panax ginseng to invigorate "qi," enhance vitality, and support reproductive health. In these traditions, ginseng is believed to influence the body's hormonal systems, especially in cases of fatigue, sexual dysfunction, or menopausal symptoms. While modern scientific research on ginseng's direct effects on specific hormones (such as testosterone, estrogen, or cortisol) is limited and sometimes inconclusive, some studies suggest that ginsenosides—the active compounds in Panax ginseng—may have mild modulatory effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sex hormones. Small clinical trials and animal studies have reported improvements in erectile function, sperm quality, and menopausal symptoms, but robust, large-scale evidence is lacking. Overall, the use of Panax ginseng to support the hormonal (endocrine) system is primarily justified by tradition, with moderate supporting evidence from early scientific studies, but not enough to meet the highest standards of clinical validation.
Other body systems supported by Ginseng, Panax
Adrenal GlandsBlood
Brain
Circulatory System
Cortisol
Digestive System
Glandular System
Heart
Immune System
Liver
Lungs
Male Reproductive System
Mitochondria
Nerves
Pancreas Head
Pituitary
Reproductive System
Respiratory System
Specific Hormones
Specific Neurotransmitters
Spleen
Stomach
Sympathetic Nervous System
Testes
Thymus
Thyroid Gland