Does Ginseng Improve Your Brain?

We're all looking for ways to boost our brain power. One popular therapy is the herb ginseng, which many people believe prevents dementia and aids thinking. Unfortunately, the bulk of the scientific evidence currently available doesn't support those claims.

 The Cochrane Collaboration, a highly respected international organization that evaluates medical research, recently published a review of all the available randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled studies of the herb's effectiveness. These kinds of studies are considered the gold standard of scientific research.

In this case, the number of participants was relatively small – only 289. All were either young or middle-aged, with an average age of 20 to 31 in three of the studies and in the 50s for the others. The patients were all mentally and physically healthy.

The results of the trial were mixed. Some showed improved cognition; others did not. The studies used different types and doses of ginseng extracts. In one case, the participants used a preparation that contained substances other than ginseng.

But overall, the Cochrane researchers concluded, there just isn't enough evidence to say that ginseng can do all the things claimed.  Does that mean you should stop taking it if you think it is working for you? Not necessarily. The Cochrane researchers found little evidence of harmful side effects among people taking ginseng. However, if you are taking it, you should tell your doctor in case it might have some interaction with other medication you are taking.

For more about ginseng, click here.