جنسنگ · Korean ginseng, red ginseng
Weak evidence
Better evidence for tiredness than for mood, and it can make anxiety worse.
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The root of Panax ginseng, used in East Asian medicine as a tonic. Not the same plant as Siberian ginseng.
Trials suggest modest improvement in fatigue, including in illness-related tiredness. Evidence for depression is weak, and for anxiety it may work the wrong way - stimulating effects can worsen restlessness and insomnia in people already wound up.
Studies used roughly 200 to 400 mg daily of standardised extract, or 1 to 2 g of root.
Recorded because a person who has decided to try something will find a number somewhere, and a forum's number is worse than a trial's. It is not a recommendation, and the right amount for you depends on things only a doctor who knows your history can weigh.
Insomnia, headache and raised blood pressure. Interacts with warfarin, and with diabetes medication by lowering blood sugar. Avoid with MAOIs. Not for pregnancy. Care in hormone-sensitive conditions.
Sold widely, often within energy tonics and male vitality products where the dose is unstated.
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