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Ginseng has no effect on mood in healthy young
adults
An eight-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind study published
in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association concluded
that Panax ginseng confers no psychological benefits in
young, healthy adults. The participants were 83 men and women
who were randomly assigned to take one of three different treatments:
placebo, 200 mg ginseng, or 400 mg ginseng per day for 60 days.
Results showed that treatment with ginseng had no effect on any
of the three psychological variables assessed. Lead author Brad
Cardinal of Oregon State University commented that the youth and
good health of the study participants was one of the primary weaknesses
of the study. The researchers concluded, "The present findings
do not support claims that chronic ginseng supplementation-at
either its clinically recommended level or twice that level-enhances
affect or mood in healthy young adults." Cardinal BJ,
Engels HJ. Ginseng does not enhance psychological well-being in
healthy, young adults: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled,
randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Dietetic
Association 2001; 101(6): 655-660.
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