title: Efficacy and safety of Korean red ginseng for cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Korean medicine, the steamed root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, known as Korean red ginseng (KRG), is used to invigorate the body, enhance qi, and improve blood flow. It is a potential treatment for cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF), a common complaint among Asians, especially women. However, few studies of its efficacy and safety for CHHF have been conducted.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 80 female patients with CHHF at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea. The participants took six capsules of 500-mg KRG powder or placebo twice daily for 8 weeks and were followed up for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in skin temperature of the hands. The secondary outcome measures included change in skin temperature of the feet, visual analog scale (VAS) scores of CHHF severity, recovered temperature (RT) of the hands after cold stress test, distal-dorsal difference (DDD) in temperature of the hands, power variables of heart rate variability (HRV), and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The KRG group had significantly higher skin temperature of the hands and feet, lower VAS scores, higher RT of the right 5th finger, and less parasympathetic activity than the placebo group at 8 weeks. No significant differences were noted in DDD of the hands and SF-36 scores. No serious adverse events were reported during the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peripheral vasodilation by KRG may alleviate CHHF. Further controlled studies are required to elucidate the effects of KRG on the autonomic nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: lovepks82@naver.com.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Sun
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: shinysmile714@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kang-In
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: shampoo1211@naver.com.
authors.forename: Jin-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: khclinic@empas.com.
authors.forename: Young-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: nimaru@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Se-Hwa
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: lchgdsl@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Chang-Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: pjw2907@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Jae-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hanbang9597@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Jin-Moo
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056587:Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005528:Foot; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet; Cold stress test; Distal–dorsal difference; Infrared thermography; Korean red ginseng