PANAX GINSENG
Korean Ginseng or Panax Ginseng is truly the king of adaptogenic herbs.
It is often referred to as “the true ginseng” as it is by far the most researched, and it actually belongs to the plant family “ginseng”. It is one of the most popular botanicals on the planet and is close to being a “natural cure-all”.
In fact, Panax Ginseng even translates to “all-healing man root”. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine, and even today it is one of the most popular botanicals. Found in North America, China, and Korea. Ginseng is one of the most popular herbal supplements in the world.
Panax Ginseng is called “true ginseng” to distinguish it from the far-cheaper “fake ginseng” known as Siberian Ginseng, which is actually a completely different plant. It is a shrub with different active ingredients, far less research, and a lot less promise.
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Panax Ginseng Fast Facts |
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In order to take an evidence-based approach, Savvy sourced an identical extract with the correct active ingredients to the one repeatedly used in the clinical trials.
Amount used: 2500mg (2.5 grams)
Active ingredient: Ginsenosides - Full Spectrum Root Extract, 20:1, 125mg 12% Ginsenosides
Why: Full Spectrum extracts are always preferred, and with a high concentration of the active ingredient in Panax Ginseng, this dose is perfect for maximum benefit.
Scientific literature tells us that 5mg to 15mg of ginsenosides appears to confer the majority of cognitive benefits, SAVVY uses 15mg. It is the ginsenosides, which are the active ingredients which provide the main benefits.
Savvy sourced an identical extract to the one repeatedly used in the clinical trials.
Scientifically-Proven Benefits
Ginseng is an adaptogen which makes you more resilient to mental, physical and environmental stress. “Adaptogens can calm you down and boost your energy at the same time without over-stimulating” - Dr Frank Lipman
Ginseng has been known to enhance the effectiveness of many nootropics, so there is more benefit to each ingredient by virtue of panax ginseng.
Many large studies have been done on this herb where the the participants found better quality of life measures (energy, sleep, sex life, personal satisfaction, and wellbeing).
To make it easy to identify all the different studies - we will highlight them for you!
Panax Ginseng improves wellbeing and resilience to stress, anxiety and fatigue 
Scientific sources:
Tedesco, I and Russo, G ‘Chapter 3.20 - Panax ginseng: More Than an Adaptogen Remedy’ in Nonvitamin and Nonmineral Nutritional Supplements, Academic Press, 2019, pp 251-256. [Link]
“Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, has been used in traditional medicine in China for millennia not only as adaptogen, able to increases resistance to stress and strengthen mental capacity, but also for its beneficial effects as an anti inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer remedy. Studies in the last decades showed that ginsenosides, a special group of triterpenoid saponins, are responsible for the biological activity of ginseng.”
Zhao, Z. et al. ‘Korean Red Ginseng attenuates anxiety-like behavior during ethanol withdrawal in rats’ in Journal of Ginseng Research, Volume 38, Issue 4, October 2014, pp 256-263. [Link]
Lee, S and Rhee, D. ‘Effects of ginseng on stress-related depression, anxiety, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis’ in Journal of Ginseng Research. Volume 41, issue 4, October 2017, pp 589-594 [Link]
“Ginseng effectively regulates the immune response and the hormonal changes due to stress, thus maintaining homeostasis… Ginseng provides a potential approach to regaining homeostasis after abnormal physiological changes caused by the stress of everyday life.”
Baek, J. et al. ‘Effect of Korean red ginseng in individuals exposed to high stress levels: a 6-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial’ in Journal of Ginseng Research, March 2018. [Link]
“[Panax ginseng] might help to stabilize the sympathetic nervous system and improve cognition in individuals with high stress.”
Coleman, Cl. et al. ‘The effects of Panax ginseng on quality of life.’ Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. Issue 28, Volume 1, February 2003, pp 5-15. [Link]
“Nearly every study evaluated (n = 8) demonstrated some degree of QoL [ Quality of life] improvement.”
Kim, HG. et al. ‘Antifatigue effects of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.’ in Journal PLos One. Volume 8, Issue 4, April 2013. [Link]
Head, K and Kelly, G. ‘Nutrients and Botanicals for Treatment of Stress: Adrenal Fatigue, Neurotransmitter Imbalance, Anxiety, and Restless Sleep’ in Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 14, Issue 2, 2009, pp 114-140 [Link]
Panax Ginseng improves mood, well-being, energy and endurance
Panax Ginseng helps to keep you alert but relaxed, a true foundation to the “zenergy” feeling that Savvy promotes.
There have been a number of studies using Asian ginseng for athletic performance in people and laboratory animals. Results have been mixed, with some studies showing better strength and endurance, others showing improved agility or reaction time.
Scientific sources:
Kim, DH. ‘Chemical Diversity of Panax ginseng, Panax quinquifolium, and Panax notoginseng.’ in Journal of ginseng research. Volume 36, issue 1, January 2012, pp 1-15. [Link]
“P. ginseng is the most commonly used as an adaptogenic agent and has been shown to enhance physical performance, promote vitality, increase resistance to stress and aging, and have immunomodulatory activity.”
Ellis, JM and Reddy, P. ‘Effects of Panax ginseng on quality of life.’ in The Annals of pharmacotherapy. Volume 36, Issue 3, March 2002, pp 375-379 [Link]
“P. ginseng improves aspects of mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks…”
Inoue, E. et al. ‘Pharmacological properties of N-095, a drug containing red ginseng, polygala root, saffron, antelope horn and aloe wood.’ in The American journal of Chinese medicine. Volume 33, Issue 1, 2005 pp 49-60 [Link]
Bucci LR. ‘Selected herbals and human exercise performance.’ in The American journal of clinical nutrition. Volume 72, Issue 2, August 2000, pp 624-636 [Link]
“Controlled studies of Asian ginsengs found improvements in exercise performance when most of the following conditions were true: use of standardized root extracts, study duration (>8 wk, daily dose >1 g dried root or equivalent, large number of subjects, and older subjects. Improvements in muscular strength, maximal oxygen uptake, work capacity, fuel homeostasis, serum lactate, heart rate, visual and auditory reaction times, alertness, and psychomotor skills have also been repeatedly documented.”
Dang, H. et al. ‘Preventive action of Kai Xin San aqueous extract on depressive-like symptoms and cognition deficit induced by chronic mild stress.’ in Experimental biology and medicine. Volume 234, Issue 7, July 2009, pp 785-793. [Link]
“...these results indicate that KXS exerts its antidepressant-like and nootropic effects...”
Yi, SW. et al. ‘Association between ginseng intake and mortality: Kangwha cohort study.’ in Journal of alternative and complementary medicine, Volume 15, Issue 8, August 2009, pp 921-928 [Link]
“We followed 6282 subjects who were 55 years of age or older in March 1985 until December 31, 2003. Adjusting for age, education, occupation, drinking, smoking, self-reported chronic disease, body mass index, and blood pressure, all-cause mortality for male ginseng users was significantly lower than that for male nonusers”
Jin, Yang, et al.’Mechanisms of Panax ginseng action as an antidepressant.’ Cell proliferation. Volume 52. Issue 6. 2019. Pp. e12696 [Link]
The anti-depressant activity of Panax ginseng is through mechanisms like 1. Increase in the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters such as Serotonin, Noradrenaline and Dopamine that are strongly associated with depression; 2. Modification of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and its activity, whose hyperactivity can cause stress and depression; 3. Increase in Brain Derived Neurotropic Factors (BDNF) that are essential for neural survival and growth; 4. Ginsenosides that suppress neuroinflammation, thereby preventing stress-induced by neuroimmune system, along with the effect of herbal formulae like Kai Xin San, Shen Yuan Gan and Xiaochaihu decoction in combating depression.
Choi, Jong Hee, et al. ‘Panax ginseng exerts antidepressant-like effects by suppressing neuroinflammatory response and upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 signaling in the amygdala.’ Journal of ginseng research. Volume 42. Issue 1. 2018. Pp. 107-115 [Link]
This research article is an evidence of action of Panax ginseng to act against depression, conducted on animal studies. Dried roots of P. ginseng are orally administered on mice for 14 days, after which anti-depression activity was observed. The mechanisms found were 1. decrease in Chronic Restrain Stress (stress induced by lack of physical activity) through activation of Nrf2 signalling in the amygdala (anti-depressant); 2. inhibition of increase in serum concentration of Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) and Glucocorticoids, whose increase can cause HPA axis hyperactivity and depression; 3. inhibition of microglial activation and reduction of stress like behaviour; 4. reduction in oxidative stress, a major pathogenesis of depressive diseases; 5. reversal of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF) increased expression in the Amygdala of the brain.
Hou, Wei, et al. ‘Effects of ginseng on neurological disorders.’ Frontiers in cellular neuroscience. Volume 14. 2020. 55 [Link]
This review article summarises the effect of P. ginseng on neurological diseases through mechanisms like action on 1. neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, serotonin; 2. hormones like cortisol, testosterone, corticosterone; 3. receptors like androgen receptor, glucocorticoid receptor; 4. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF) and other intracellular signalling molecules. Ginsenoside Rg1 is found to be a note worthy compound that confers anti-depressant, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, anti-Parkinson’s and neuron degeneration properties.
Wang, Guoli, et al. ’Rb1, the Primary Active Ingredient in Panax ginseng CA Meyer, Exerts Antidepressant-Like Effects via the BDNF–Trkb–CREB Pathway.’ Frontiers in pharmacology. Volume 10. 2019. 1034 [Link]
This research article is another animal study done to prove the anti-depressant activity of P. ginseng. The article also serves as a comparative study of ginseng extract efficiency over powder. It demonstrates that a water extract of ginseng fibrous roots, flower buds and main roots has anti-depressant activities. Ginsenoside Rb1’s activity to reduce BDNF activity and down-regulate proteins in Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS).
Wang, Weidong, et al. ‘Sesquiterpenoids from the root of Panax ginseng attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behavior through the brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin-related kinase b and sirtuin type 1/nuclear factor-κb signaling pathways.’ Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. Volume 66. Issue 1. 2018. 265-271 [Link]
“Roots of Panax ginseng exhibit an anti-depressant like effect...”
Panax Ginseng improves memory, mental performance and concentration
Several studies report that Asian ginseng may improve thinking or learning. Early research shows that Asian ginseng may improve performance on such things as mental arithmetic, concentration, memory, and other measures. Some studies have also found a positive effect with the combination of Panax Ginseng, Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Rosea. Savvy has all of these botanicals in the correct scientific dosage.
Scientific sources:
Kennedy, DO, ‘Phytochemicals for Improving Aspects of Cognitive Function and Psychological State Potentially Relevant to Sports Performance.’ in Sports Medicine, Issue 49, Supplement 1, February 2019, pp 39 - 58 [Link]
“triterpene-containing extracts from plants such as ginseng (Panax ginseng/quinquefolius) and Bacopa monnieri have all been shown to enhance relevant aspects of cognitive function and alertness.”
Geng, J. et al. ‘Ginseng for cognition.’ in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, Volume 8, Issue 18, December 2010 [Link]
“It has been suggested, on the basis of both laboratory and clinical studies, that it may have beneficial effects on cognitive performance...Results of the analysis suggested improvement of some aspects of cognitive function, behavior and quality of life”
Tedesco, I and Russo, G ‘Chapter 3.20 - Panax ginseng: More Than an Adaptogen Remedy’ in Nonvitamin and Nonmineral Nutritional Supplements, Academic Press, 2019, pp 251-256 [Link]
“Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, has been used in traditional medicine in China for millennia not only as adaptogen, able to increases resistance to stress and strengthen mental capacity, but also for its beneficial effects as an antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer remedy. Studies in the last decades showed that ginsenosides, a special group of triterpenoid saponins, are responsible for the biological activity of ginseng.”
Dang, H. et al. ‘Preventive action of Kai Xin San aqueous extract on depressive-like symptoms and cognition deficit induced by chronic mild stress.’ in Experimental biology and medicine. Volume 234, Issue 7, July 2009, pp 785-793. [Link]
“...these results indicate that [panax ginseng] exerts its antidepressant-like and nootropic effects...”
Mariage, Pierre-Antoine, et al. ‘Efficacy of Panax ginseng Meyer Herbal Preparation HRG80 in Preventing and Mitigating Stress-Induced Failure of Cognitive Functions in Healthy Subjects: A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial.’ Pharmaceuticals. Volume 13. Issue 4. 2020. Pp. 57 [Link]
This is a research study done to identify the potential efficiency of hydroponic cultivated P. ginseng Meyer root preparation (HRG80) in enhancing attention, memory and reducing perceived stress. The HRG80 was significantly superior than other treatments, after single and repeated administrations at 5 and 12 days on 50 healthy tired individuals.
Park, Key-Chung, et al. ‘Cognition enhancing effect of Panax ginseng in Korean volunteers with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.’ Translational and clinical pharmacology. Volume 27. Issue 3. 2019. Pp. 92 [Link]
This is a clinical research study conducted on 90 Korean mild cognition impaired individuals for 6 months. The group that consumed 3 g of Panax ginseng powder had no serious adverse effects and their cognition improved, particularly improvement in visual memory function was noted.
Dimpfel, W., L. Schombert, and A. G. Panossian. ‘Panax ginseng preparations enhance long term potentiation in rat hippocampal slices by glutamatergic NMDA and kainate receptor-mediated transmission.’ Journal of Alternative, Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Volume 6. 2020. Pp. 106 [Link]
Standard Panax ginseng preparation and HRG80 induced activation of the hippocampus, mediated by two ionotropic glutamate receptors, thereby increasing age-related cognitive function.
Kim, Hyeon-Joong, et al. ‘Panax ginseng as an adjuvant treatment for Alzheimer's disease.’ Journal of ginseng research. Volume 42. Issue 4. 2018. Pp. 401-411 [Link]
...Ginseng improve Alzheimer’s disease-related cognitive dysfunction...
Panax Ginseng enhances the immune system, as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and improves weight loss
Ginseng has beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginseng may strengthen the immune system. Ginseng has been shown to help fight fatigue and promote energy.
Scientific sources:
Lee, S and Rhee, D. ‘Effects of ginseng on stress-related depression, anxiety, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis’ in Journal of Ginseng Research. Volume 41, issue 4, October 2017, pp 589-594 [Link]
“Ginseng effectively regulates the immune response and the hormonal changes due to stress, thus maintaining homeostasis… Ginseng provides a potential approach to regaining homeostasis after abnormal physiological changes caused by the stress of everyday life.”
Biondo PD, Robbins SJ, Walsh JD, McCargar LJ, Harber VJ, Field CJ. A randomized controlled crossover trial of the effect of ginseng consumption on the immune response to moderate exercise in healthy sedentary men. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2008 Oct;33(5), pp 966-75 [Link]
“Ginseng is a popular herbal remedy that is reputed to increase resistance to stress and improve immune function... “
Tedesco, I and Russo, G ‘Chapter 3.20 - Panax ginseng: More Than an Adaptogen Remedy’ in Nonvitamin and Nonmineral Nutritional Supplements, Academic Press, 2019, pp 251 - 256 [Link]
“Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, has been used in traditional medicine in China for millennia not only as adaptogen, able to increases resistance to stress and strengthen mental capacity, but also for its beneficial effects as an antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer remedy. Studies in the last decades showed that ginsenosides, a special group of triterpenoid saponins, are responsible for the biological activity of ginseng.”
Quan, FS. et al. ‘Ginseng and Salviae herbs play a role as immune activators and modulate immune responses during influenza virus infection.’ in Vaccine Journal, Volume 25, Issue 2, January 2007, pp 272-282 [Link]
Baeg, I and So, S. ‘The world ginseng market and the ginseng (Korea)’ in Journal of Ginseng Research. Volume 37, issue 1, pp 1-7 [Link]
“We hope that ginseng, one of the treasures from nature, continues to promote health of mankind and improve the quality of life.”
Park, BG. et al. ‘Potentiation of antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cultured wild ginseng root extract through probiotic fermentation.’ in Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. Voyme 65, Issue 3, March 2013, pp 457-464. [Link]
“[Panax Ginseng] possesses enhanced antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity…”
Huang, Xing, et al. ‘Neuroprotective effects of ginseng phytochemicals: recent perspectives.’ Molecules. Volume 24. Issue 16. 2019. Pp. 2939 [Link]
This is a research done to investigate in-vivo neuroprotective role of P. ginseng extract pre-treatment against transient cerebral ischemia, a neurological disease. It was found that after introduction of the extracts to rats, neurons were protected by enhanced endogenous enzyme activity. Many tests like plasma lipid, liver enzymes and kidney profiles suggested that ginseng extract could be a beneficial intervention in the treatment and risk management of ischemic stroke.
Park, Soo Kyung, et al. ‘The antioxidant activities of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng) and ginsenosides: A systemic review through in vivo and clinical trials.’ Journal of Ginseng Research. Volume 45. Issue 1. 2020. Pp. 41-47 [Link]
This review paper summarises the results of recent studies done using Korean P. ginseng on their anti-oxidant activity, against various diseases in animal and human trials. Clinical studies done on healthy individuals for oxidative stress through exercise were done where ginseng increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels than the placebo group.
Chen, Fang, and Gangliang Huang. ‘Antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from different sources of ginseng.’ International journal of biological macromolecules. Volume 125. 2019. Pp. 906-908 [Link]
The research study is regarding evaluating the anti-oxidant activity Panax ginseng polysaccharides, one of the bioactive compounds, along with comparison of antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from the underground and aboveground parts. The experiments found that the anti-oxidant property of polysaccharides above-ground parts was stronger than underground parts.
Liu, Lei, et al. ‘Efficacy and mechanism of Panax ginseng in experimental stroke.’ Frontiers in neuroscience. Volume 13. 2019. Pp. 294 [Link]
Stroke, being a leading cause to death and long-term defects, still requires the development of therapeutics. As Ginseng and its active compounds are known for neuro-protection abilities, this review focus on effect of ginseng on experimental stroke through various stroke models of mice and rats. Ginseng is found to protect brain from stroke through mechanisms like reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, cell-death and autophagy. But the underlying cellular mechanism is still unclear. Hence pre-clinical in-vivo studies are required to better understand the unique properties of ginseng and its derivatives in the preventive and therapeutic treatment of stroke.
Wang, Na, et al. ‘Ginseng polysaccharides: A potential neuroprotective agent.’ Journal of Ginseng Research. 2020. In Press [Link]
The review paper discusses the effect of Ginseng polysaccharides, a main biologically active compound on neurological diseases. The following were found to be the effects associated: 1. anti-depressant like effect, protective effects against multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease that is characterized by neuronal damage in the Central Nervous System, anti-oxidant activity and improved learning and memory.
Rajabian, Arezoo, et al. ‘Therapeutic potential of Panax ginseng and its constituents, ginsenosides and gintonin, in neurological and neurodegenerative disorders: a patent review.’ Expert opinion on therapeutic patents. Volume 29. Issue 1. 2019. Pp. 55-72 [Link]
This is a patent review done on ginseng and its compounds to develop therapies for neurodegenerative and neurological disorders, since 2010. The effects of ginseng was due to Neurogenesis, anti-apoptosis, inhibition in mitochondrial dysfunction, anti-oxidant properties, change in receptor-mediated Ca2+ channels, microglial activation and amyloid-beta aggregation. But the active compounds have limited clinical application, related to neuro-protection, which might be because of incomplete data on the pharmacokinetic and toxicity properties and economic investments.
Huang, Xing, et al. ‘Neuroprotective effects of ginseng phytochemicals: recent perspectives.’ Molecules. Volume 24. Issue 16. 2019. 2939 [Link]
This review article summarises the ability of P. ginseng dried root extracts to treat chronic neurogenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s and acute neurogenerative diseases like Cerebral Infraction, Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury, along with Depression and stress. It also gives an overview of the mechanisms involved along with supporting studies like animal models conducted.
How to take Panax Ginseng
I am sure you can now see the amazing benefits of Panax Ginseng and why we use it in Savvy to make our products SO MUCH BETTER.
You can take Panax Ginseng by itself, but most health practitioners, naturopaths and nutritionists recommend combining it with other similar substances to maximise the benefit of the combination. This is called a synergistic approach. “Synergistic” refers to the interaction or cooperation of two or more substances to produce a combined effect that is greater than the sum of their separate parts.
And while you might experience benefits from Panax Ginseng alone, the synergistic approach offers even more benefits when you take several herbs together.
In all Savvy products, we have combined Panax Ginseng at the correct amount, with other ingredients it has amazing synergy with like Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Rosea.
