Ginseng does not enhance psychological well-being in healthy, young adults: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
Ginseng is a popular, commercially available dietary supplement that is purported to have a number of psychological benefits. The purpose of this study was to examine these claims, with specific reference to ginseng's effects on affect and mood.


METHODS
Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Eighty-three adults (40 women, 43 men) participated in this study (mean age = 25.7 year). Participants were recruited from within a university community and at area health clubs.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: placebo (lactose), 200 mg ginseng, or 400 mg ginseng. The ginseng preparation used in this study consisted of the Panax ginseng C A Meyer concentrate G115 in capsular format. Each participant was given a 60-day allotment of their respective supplement along with written instructions about the proper intake and storage of the capsules during the 8-week study period.


METHODS
Positive affect, negative affect, and total mood disturbance. Measures were obtained pre- and post-intervention.


METHODS
Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance was used. Because there were three dependent variables, and in an effort to minimize the experimentwise-error rate, alpha was adjusted using the Bonferroni technique (i.e., P < .05/3 = P < .016).


RESULTS
Ginseng supplementation had no effect on positive affect, negative affect, or total mood disturbance (all P > .016).


CONCLUSIONS
The present findings do not support claims that chronic ginseng supplementation--at either its clinically recommended level or at twice that level--enhances affect or mood in healthy young adults.
Cardinal
B J
BJ
Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-3303, USA.
Engels
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D005894:Panax; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011446:Prospective Studies
D010936:Plant Extracts