What is Panax ginseng used for?

Panax ginseng is used for many different reasons, but its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use Panax ginseng include the following.

• To ease anxiety
• To help manage diabetes
• To help manage stress
• To improve memory or thinking skills
• To increase energy levels
• To boost the immune system
  

  How does Panax ginseng work (mechanism of action)?

  Panax ginseng is a plant. Dietary supplements that contain Panax ginseng are made from the root (rhizome) of the plant. Since this plant is native to Asia, it is also sometimes called Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, or Korean ginseng. Panax ginseng is thought to act as an adaptogen, which is a substance that helps the body respond to stressful changes in its environment.

  Some of the chemicals in Panax ginseng, called ginsenosides, are thought to be responsible for its effects in the body. These chemicals may change the way that the body responds to the hormone estrogen. They may also increase the levels of certain immune cells in the body, but it is not clear if this can help reduce infections. It is also unclear how these chemicals might work for any other use, such as relieving stress, increasing energy, lowering blood sugar levels, or helping with anxiety or thinking skills.

  Panax ginseng contains some of the same chemicals as another form of GASENG, called American ginseng. But these plants contain different amounts of these chemicals and can cause different effects and side effects in the body. Panax ginseng is the more common form of ginseng. Most products that are labeled “ginseng” or “ginseng radix” contain Panax ginseng.