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Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Red Ginseng and Improved Cognitive Function

Doses used in studies

mg/day: 1,000 (median 1,000, IQR 1,000–1,000) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 8 weeks · IQR 8 weeks–8 weeks · Range 8 weeks–8 weeks — Reported in 1 of 2 studies

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityReported
with good tolerability
from: Ginsenosides for Multi-target Intervention in Alzheimer's Disease: Current Evidence, Chall

2 of 2 papers

Effects of Korean red ginseng on human gray matter volume and cognitive function: A voxel-based morphometry study.
- 2020-11-20
- RCT · n = 26
- Human psychopharmacology 36(2)
- - Eun Namgung
  - Jungyoon Kim
  - Hyeonseok Jeong
  - Gahae Hong
  - Myeongju Kim
  - Rye Young Kim
  - Shinhye Kim
  - In Kyoon Lyoo
- PubMed: 33217050
- DOI: 10.1002/hup.2767
1 Insight on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
The KRG group also showed greater magnitude of enhancement in the composite cognitive scores relative to the placebo group (p for interaction = 0.03).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
1000 mg/day
Ginsenosides for Multi-target Intervention in Alzheimer's Disease: Current Evidence, Challenges, and Future Directions.
- 2026-01
- Review
- Molecular neurobiology 63(1)
- - Ghaleb Oriquat
  - Afaq Mahdi Ali
  - Malathi H
  - Israa Abdulhameed Ahmad
  - Laxmidhar Maharana
  - Laxmidhar Maharana
  - Ashish Singh Chauhan
  - Vimal Arora
  - Bilakshan Purohit
  - Manoj Kumar-Mishra
- PubMed: 42141250
- DOI: 10.1007/s12035-026-05910-z
3 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- Low evidence
Limited clinical evidence from small open-label trials of Korean Red Ginseng suggests cognitive improvements (e.g., in ADAS-cog and MMSE scores), with good tolerability.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes