Today's Citizen
Does ginseng really work? It depends on who you ask
William Lin, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Friday, February 16, 2007For centuries, ginseng in ancient China was touted as a herbal remedy that could treat respiratory ailments and even keep an elderly grandmother warmer during the winter.
With Health Canada's announcement that it has approved a claim that COLD-fX -- which uses an extract from North American ginseng -- stems colds and flu symptoms, the question is: What are the benefits of ginseng?
"It's purely unique in its immune stimulatory capacity," said Dr. Sandra Miller, a McGill University researcher studying the effect of ginseng extract in cancer therapy on behalf of CV Technologies, the company that develops COLD-fX.
View Larger ImageProponents of using ginseng as a health remedy says there's plenty of evidence the root works. Others are not so sure, and want more clinical studies done.
Ian Smith, The Vancouver Sun
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"The literature is now abundant ... so abundant that Health Canada approved it as a health remedy," she said.
For the proponents of ginseng's benefits, their claims are vast: from boosting energy and physical performance, to solving erectile difficulty and slowing aging.
Heather Boon, an associate professor with the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto, said she would like more clinical trials done on ginseng.
"I'm always on the skeptical side. I would like to see more research," Ms. Boon said.
She said it appears evidence suggests that ginseng affects the immune system and helps the body break down glucose.
"The problem with ginseng's studies is there is not a lot of clinical studies, period," she said.
Some suggest that ginseng helps with erectile dysfunction, but Ms. Boon said not enough evidence exists.
Not all ginseng plants are the same, and they may have different effects on the body, she said.
The American Cancer Society has also expressed doubt whether ginseng can effectively treat cancer.
