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Ginseng is a perennially top-selling and heavily romanticized herb. However, its reputation is based more on lore than on science. While animal studies suggest ginseng may indeed possess some intriguing properties deserving the name “adaptogen” (see “Ginseng and Its History” for a definition), this herb has no properly documented clinical benefits.

Two entirely different plants are called ginseng, but only one of the popular ginsengs deserves the name: Asian or Korean (Panax) ginseng. So-called Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is only distantly related to the true ginseng species, and possesses an altogether distinct pharmacological nature.

It is linked to ginseng only through the work of a Soviet scientist, Doctor, because commercial ginseng products tend to use these herbs interchangeably they are discussed together here.

Despite the paucity of clinical evidence of effectiveness, what can be said with some assurance is that ginseng appears to be quite safe. Early reports of a ginseng-abuse syndrome have been discredited. Ginseng also appears to lack estrogenic effects.