American Ginseng for Cold And Flu Support

Research suggests that American ginseng may offer some protective benefits against acute respiratory viral infections. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis, which pooled findings from five randomized controlled trials, found that ginseng was associated with a meaningful reduction in the risk of contracting acute respiratory illness and a shorter duration of illness compared to placebo. The studies reviewed generally pointed in a supportive direction, though the authors noted that questions remain about optimal use and that the body of evidence is still relatively limited in size. Readers should also be aware that this research addressed respiratory infections broadly, and the authors cautioned that no specific evidence for use against SARS-CoV-2 existed at the time of publication.